January 2009 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

26 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 4 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 2009 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.7
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 9.2"
Status: near superior conjunction

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

Right ascension: 20h34m26s
Declination: -16°50'50"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.5
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 24.4"
Status: near superior 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: 22h54m29s
Declination: -07°22'03"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.2
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 3.9"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 19h01m43s
Declination: -23°30'07"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.9
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 32.4"
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: 20h18m13s
Declination: -20°05'21"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.7
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 18.9"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 11h32m24s
Declination: +05°16'42"

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: 23h23m19s
Declination: -04°45'39"

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: 21h41m24s
Declination: -14°13'21"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 12414.0"
Status: Moon illumination 80.6%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 80.6%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 11h08m05s
Declination: +02°01'50"