August 2009 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

23 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 3 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 2009 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.1
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 6.3"
Status: near greatest western elongation

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

Right ascension: 11h14m25s
Declination: +04°16'06"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.0
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 13.6"
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: 07h09m49s
Declination: +21°34'30"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.0
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 5.5"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 05h29m50s
Declination: +23°10'25"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.9
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 48.9"
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: 21h39m03s
Declination: -15°11'11"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.1
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: 11h29m39s
Declination: +05°25'22"

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: 23h46m07s
Declination: -02°22'02"

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: 21h50m17s
Declination: -13°31'47"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 12506.7"
Status: Moon illumination 36.7%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 36.7%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 04h21m23s
Declination: +25°43'23"