August 2008 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

27 sky events total, including 5 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

August 2008 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.6
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 5.2"
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: 10h40m39s
Declination: +09°34'03"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 10.4"
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: 10h51m27s
Declination: +08°49'21"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.7
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 4.0"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 11h50m47s
Declination: +01°43'44"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.6
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 45.4"
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: 18h58m33s
Declination: -23°01'39"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.9
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 16.1"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 10h46m28s
Declination: +09°34'51"

Uranus

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

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

Right ascension: 23h31m02s
Declination: -04°00'05"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.7
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 2.4"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 21h41m17s
Declination: -14°13'31"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 11746.2"
Status: Moon illumination 96.4%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 96.4%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 20h12m32s
Declination: -21°37'57"