April 2009 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

20 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 2009 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.0
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 6.0"
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: 02h30m02s
Declination: +16°21'14"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.6
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 50.7"
Status: near greatest eastern 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: 23h49m57s
Declination: +04°10'05"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.2
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 4.4"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 23h40m15s
Declination: -03°24'21"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.1
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 36.2"
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: 21h36m35s
Declination: -14°54'19"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.6
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 19.3"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 11h11m08s
Declination: +07°41'03"

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: 23h40m40s
Declination: -02°53'15"

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: 21h53m20s
Declination: -13°13'11"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 11544.1"
Status: Moon illumination 73.4%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 73.4%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 17h47m54s
Declination: -26°32'11"