April 1997 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

24 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 3 planetary events.

Daily Sky Events

All times are in local time (Asia/Shanghai)

Group Date Sunrise/Sunset Moonrise/Moonset Moon Phase Sky Events

Planetary outlook

April 1997 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.8
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 9.9"
Status: near superior conjunction

Observation tip: Visible to the naked eye; Mercury stays close to the Sun; best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 02h24m59s
Declination: +17°34'17"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 9.7"
Status: near greatest western elongation

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Venus is the brightest planet and is best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 01h46m27s
Declination: +09°55'47"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.8
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 12.9"
Status: near western quadrature

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Its reddish appearance is obvious; it is best observed near opposition

Right ascension: 11h19m18s
Declination: +07°18'15"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.1
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 36.5"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Its moons are easy to spot and it is excellent for telescope observing

Right ascension: 21h19m49s
Declination: -16°09'35"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.8
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 16.0"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: Visible to the naked eye; Saturn’s rings require a telescope to see clearly

Right ascension: 00h48m03s
Declination: +02°46'16"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.8
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 3.5"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: Binoculars are recommended; Binoculars or a telescope are recommended

Right ascension: 20h43m43s
Declination: -18°45'15"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: nan
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 2.3"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: A telescope is required; A telescope is required; Neptune appears blue-green

Right ascension: 20h07m50s
Declination: -19°45'47"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 11606.2"
Status: Moon illumination 52.9%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 52.9%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 07h57m51s
Declination: +16°01'55"