August 2004 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

24 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

August 2004 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Good
Apparent magnitude: 2.3
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 10.6"
Status: near superior conjunction

Observation tip: Visible to the naked eye; Mercury stays close to the Sun; best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 10h30m31s
Declination: +04°27'36"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.4
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 24.3"
Status: near greatest eastern 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: 06h28m56s
Declination: +19°51'30"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.8
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 3.5"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 10h21m00s
Declination: +11°27'42"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.7
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 31.3"
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: 11h29m44s
Declination: +04°27'14"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.2
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 16.8"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 07h32m54s
Declination: +21°30'21"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.8
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 3.7"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 22h29m45s
Declination: -10°18'25"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.7
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 2.3"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 21h04m57s
Declination: -16°45'58"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 11641.9"
Status: Moon illumination 1.3%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 1.3%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 08h57m21s
Declination: +22°25'44"