February 2003 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

23 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

February 2003 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.1
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 5.8"
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: 20h20m17s
Declination: -20°22'44"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.2
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 17.8"
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: 18h51m01s
Declination: -21°00'29"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.1
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 5.7"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 17h10m16s
Declination: -22°44'49"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.6
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 45.3"
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: 08h56m40s
Declination: +18°11'31"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.2
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 19.4"
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: 05h26m15s
Declination: +22°03'58"

Uranus

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

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

Right ascension: 22h04m09s
Declination: -12°36'48"

Neptune

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

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

Right ascension: 20h54m42s
Declination: -17°22'37"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 12293.8"
Status: Moon illumination 94.9%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 94.9%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 08h12m21s
Declination: +24°10'00"