February 2004 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

23 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

February 2004 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.5
Constellation: Aquarius
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: 21h00m48s
Declination: -18°57'55"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.1
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 16.2"
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: 00h27m29s
Declination: +02°49'13"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.9
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 6.2"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 02h19m00s
Declination: +14°43'57"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.5
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 44.0"
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: 11h11m34s
Declination: +06°42'25"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.2
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 19.9"
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: 06h29m08s
Declination: +22°42'04"

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: 22h18m28s
Declination: -11°18'08"

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: 21h03m16s
Declination: -16°50'53"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 12610.3"
Status: Moon illumination 34.0%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 34.0%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 16h51m01s
Declination: -24°59'58"