October 2009 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

18 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

October 2009 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.0
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 5.6"
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: 12h30m12s
Declination: -01°06'21"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 10.8"
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: 12h02m37s
Declination: +01°21'25"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.6
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 7.1"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 08h06m12s
Declination: +21°22'38"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.6
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 43.7"
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: 21h19m49s
Declination: -16°41'52"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.1
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 16.0"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 11h57m03s
Declination: +02°30'23"

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: 23h37m43s
Declination: -03°16'22"

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: 21h45m05s
Declination: -13°58'54"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 12578.7"
Status: Moon illumination 13.1%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 13.1%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 10h39m33s
Declination: +04°45'33"