October 2002 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

October 2002 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.7
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 6.6"
Status: near inferior conjunction

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

Right ascension: 12h16m16s
Declination: +00°13'40"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.7
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 53.5"
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: 14h42m02s
Declination: -23°15'51"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.8
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 3.7"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 11h59m59s
Declination: +01°10'26"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.0
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 35.3"
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: 09h07m35s
Declination: +17°01'14"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.1
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 19.3"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Saturn’s rings require a telescope to see clearly

Right ascension: 05h56m00s
Declination: +22°06'52"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.8
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 3.6"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 21h50m28s
Declination: -13°52'50"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.8
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 2.3"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 20h42m25s
Declination: -18°09'40"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 11759.5"
Status: Moon illumination 67.7%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 67.7%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 21h03m36s
Declination: -21°31'25"