May 2001 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

23 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

May 2001 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.2
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 6.8"
Status: near greatest western elongation

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Mercury stays close to the Sun; best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 04h52m58s
Declination: +24°57'20"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.6
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 32.7"
Status: near greatest eastern 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: 00h42m07s
Declination: +03°58'02"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.5
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 16.6"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 17h55m30s
Declination: -24°52'44"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.0
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 32.8"
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: 05h01m41s
Declination: +22°23'21"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.1
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 16.5"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 04h05m12s
Declination: +19°04'53"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.9
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 3.5"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 21h49m08s
Declination: -13°56'48"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.8
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: 20h44m38s
Declination: -17°55'09"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 11513.2"
Status: Moon illumination 54.2%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 54.2%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 21h32m44s
Declination: -18°14'55"