January 2004 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

25 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

January 2004 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.1
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 7.0"
Status: near greatest eastern elongation

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Mercury stays close to the Sun; best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 18h01m59s
Declination: -21°36'49"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.0
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 13.6"
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: 22h11m58s
Declination: -12°51'05"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.4
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 7.6"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 01h05m01s
Declination: +07°18'08"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.3
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 41.3"
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: 11h20m28s
Declination: +05°38'18"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.3
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 20.6"
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: 06h37m20s
Declination: +22°31'05"

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: 22h12m05s
Declination: -11°54'22"

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: 20h58m35s
Declination: -17°10'19"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 12406.0"
Status: Moon illumination 52.3%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 52.3%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 13h23m21s
Declination: -06°20'19"