October 2003 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

22 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 1 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 2003 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.3
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 5.0"
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: 12h53m15s
Declination: -03°57'19"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 10.2"
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: 14h17m16s
Declination: -13°13'09"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.7
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 17.9"
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: 22h21m40s
Declination: -13°57'39"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.8
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 32.3"
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: 10h47m49s
Declination: +08°38'13"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.0
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 18.8"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 06h56m44s
Declination: +22°03'40"

Uranus

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

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

Right ascension: 22h06m11s
Declination: -12°30'07"

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: 20h51m28s
Declination: -17°38'27"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 11480.2"
Status: Moon illumination 81.4%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 81.4%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 04h42m34s
Declination: +24°12'38"