May 2006 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

26 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

May 2006 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.8
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 5.1"
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: 03h08m21s
Declination: +17°11'55"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.1
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 15.6"
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: 00h51m18s
Declination: +03°32'38"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.6
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 4.6"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 07h19m33s
Declination: +23°42'11"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.5
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 44.6"
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: 14h42m36s
Declination: -14°23'16"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.3
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 17.7"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 08h33m13s
Declination: +19°33'52"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.9
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 3.5"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 23h03m04s
Declination: -06°54'24"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.8
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 2.3"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 21h29m05s
Declination: -15°03'17"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 12138.8"
Status: Moon illumination 96.6%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 96.6%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 16h51m53s
Declination: -27°24'08"