March 2004 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

27 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 4 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

March 2004 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.4
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 5.4"
Status: near greatest western 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: 00h19m03s
Declination: +01°44'26"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.3
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 20.3"
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: 02h28m01s
Declination: +16°47'11"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.2
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 5.3"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 03h33m27s
Declination: +20°15'48"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.5
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 44.4"
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: 10h57m56s
Declination: +08°09'56"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.0
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 18.9"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 06h27m29s
Declination: +22°47'41"

Uranus

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

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

Right ascension: 22h24m44s
Declination: -10°42'29"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.8
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: 21h07m17s
Declination: -16°33'53"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 12521.0"
Status: Moon illumination 37.4%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 37.4%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 18h42m37s
Declination: -27°24'33"