October 2008 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

21 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

October 2008 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.8
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 8.6"
Status: near greatest eastern elongation

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

Right ascension: 12h28m58s
Declination: -02°28'52"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 12.7"
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: 15h31m27s
Declination: -19°58'14"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.6
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 3.8"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 14h20m05s
Declination: -13°55'06"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.2
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 38.1"
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: 19h03m39s
Declination: -22°58'25"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.9
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 16.4"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 11h14m24s
Declination: +06°47'33"

Uranus

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

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

Right ascension: 23h22m36s
Declination: -04°53'54"

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: 21h36m13s
Declination: -14°39'09"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 12664.2"
Status: Moon illumination 99.8%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 99.8%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 01h22m40s
Declination: +13°44'14"