May 2003 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

26 sky events total, including 5 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

May 2003 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Good
Apparent magnitude: 3.5
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 11.7"
Status: near greatest eastern elongation

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

Right ascension: 02h41m17s
Declination: +13°38'40"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 11.2"
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: 01h47m17s
Declination: +09°18'27"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.3
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 10.6"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Its reddish appearance is obvious; it is best observed near opposition

Right ascension: 21h05m53s
Declination: -18°42'30"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.0
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 35.9"
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: 08h52m51s
Declination: +18°23'41"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.1
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 16.9"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 05h49m25s
Declination: +22°32'39"

Uranus

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

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

Right ascension: 22h19m20s
Declination: -11°14'32"

Neptune

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

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

Right ascension: 21h02m35s
Declination: -16°50'41"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 13000.6"
Status: Moon illumination 98.0%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 98.0%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 14h22m55s
Declination: -12°06'22"