February 2001 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

19 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 2 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

February 2001 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 4.4
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 10.5"
Status: near greatest eastern elongation

Observation tip: Binoculars are recommended; Mercury stays close to the Sun; best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 21h32m46s
Declination: -10°39'01"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.8
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 35.0"
Status: near superior conjunction

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: 00h29m12s
Declination: +06°56'21"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.8
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 7.0"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: Visible to the naked eye; Its reddish appearance is obvious; it is best observed near opposition

Right ascension: 15h52m32s
Declination: -19°10'34"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.4
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 40.5"
Status: near western 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: 03h59m45s
Declination: +19°55'49"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.1
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 18.3"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 03h30m27s
Declination: +16°57'31"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 6.0
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 3.4"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: A telescope is required; Binoculars or a telescope are recommended

Right ascension: 21h34m58s
Declination: -15°05'41"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.9
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 2.2"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 20h37m25s
Declination: -18°21'53"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 11935.8"
Status: Moon illumination 51.6%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 51.6%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 15h33m24s
Declination: -15°05'00"