February 2008 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

26 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 2008 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.5
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 9.8"
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: 20h43m51s
Declination: -14°56'23"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 11.8"
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: 19h54m50s
Declination: -20°46'47"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.2
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 10.5"
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: 05h39m32s
Declination: +26°28'17"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.9
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 33.3"
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: 18h55m32s
Declination: -22°43'19"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.3
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 20.0"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 10h33m31s
Declination: +11°02'29"

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: 23h14m38s
Declination: -05°40'22"

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: 21h37m19s
Declination: -14°29'52"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 12558.4"
Status: Moon illumination 59.8%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 59.8%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 04h16m22s
Declination: +26°36'09"