April 2008 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

25 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

April 2008 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.1
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 5.0"
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: 01h29m56s
Declination: +08°30'07"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 10.1"
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: 00h42m07s
Declination: +02°54'38"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.0
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 6.4"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 07h16m00s
Declination: +24°23'15"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.2
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 39.1"
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: 19h32m40s
Declination: -21°43'38"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.5
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 19.2"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 10h18m31s
Declination: +12°28'54"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 6.0
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 3.4"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: A telescope is required; Binoculars or a telescope are recommended

Right ascension: 23h26m53s
Declination: -04°22'34"

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: 21h44m51s
Declination: -13°53'02"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 12068.6"
Status: Moon illumination 73.2%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 73.2%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 09h41m29s
Declination: +14°08'12"