January 2008 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

24 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 1 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

January 2008 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.8
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 5.8"
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: 20h54m30s
Declination: -18°58'32"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.0
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 13.5"
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: 17h10m48s
Declination: -21°25'03"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.1
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 14.1"
Status: near western quadrature

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Its reddish appearance is obvious; it is best observed near opposition

Right ascension: 05h40m58s
Declination: +26°55'57"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.8
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 32.0"
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: 18h26m56s
Declination: -23°08'49"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.4
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 19.5"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 10h41m02s
Declination: +10°12'14"

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: 23h09m08s
Declination: -06°15'49"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.8
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 2.2"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 21h32m49s
Declination: -14°51'44"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 12446.0"
Status: Moon illumination 40.9%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 40.9%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 00h44m00s
Declination: +08°45'38"