January 2003 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

25 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

January 2003 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Good
Apparent magnitude: 3.2
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 10.0"
Status: near greatest eastern elongation

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

Right ascension: 19h12m26s
Declination: -18°59'54"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.5
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 23.7"
Status: near inferior 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: 16h25m33s
Declination: -18°10'36"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.4
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 4.8"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 15h45m57s
Declination: -19°17'55"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.6
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 45.0"
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: 09h12m40s
Declination: +16°58'59"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.3
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 20.3"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 05h31m42s
Declination: +22°01'52"

Uranus

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

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

Right ascension: 21h57m34s
Declination: -13°12'30"

Neptune

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

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

Right ascension: 20h49m59s
Declination: -17°41'19"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 11771.8"
Status: Moon illumination 87.7%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 87.7%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 04h46m58s
Declination: +22°51'47"