February 2005 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

25 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 3 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 2005 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.6
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 4.9"
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: 21h59m01s
Declination: -14°25'56"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 10.0"
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: 21h12m56s
Declination: -17°10'46"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.3
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 4.8"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 18h25m27s
Declination: -23°42'34"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.3
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 41.1"
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: 13h10m53s
Declination: -05°54'59"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.2
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 20.2"
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: 07h32m56s
Declination: +21°47'23"

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: 22h32m50s
Declination: -09°55'45"

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: 21h11m57s
Declination: -16°17'06"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 11903.4"
Status: Moon illumination 40.1%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 40.1%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 02h47m16s
Declination: +17°58'33"