December 2003 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

22 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

December 2003 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.1
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 7.7"
Status: near superior 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: 18h52m29s
Declination: -24°05'26"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 12.0"
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: 19h37m20s
Declination: -23°18'35"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.1
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 9.7"
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: 23h57m20s
Declination: -00°43'19"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.1
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 37.6"
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: 11h18m38s
Declination: +05°40'45"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.3
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 20.5"
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: 06h48m06s
Declination: +22°16'50"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.9
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 3.5"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 22h07m20s
Declination: -12°21'31"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.8
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: 20h54m31s
Declination: -17°26'49"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 11963.6"
Status: Moon illumination 68.0%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 68.0%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 10h21m47s
Declination: +15°41'13"