January 2010 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

25 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 2010 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.5
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 8.7"
Status: near greatest eastern elongation

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

Right ascension: 18h23m48s
Declination: -20°17'22"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 9.8"
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: 19h50m27s
Declination: -21°57'15"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.1
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 13.7"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Its reddish appearance is obvious; it is best observed near opposition

Right ascension: 09h16m44s
Declination: +20°17'33"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.1
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 34.1"
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: 22h07m04s
Declination: -12°34'41"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.8
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 18.3"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 12h20m48s
Declination: +00°18'48"

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: 23h37m21s
Declination: -03°15'06"

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: 21h49m48s
Declination: -13°34'27"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 11486.9"
Status: Moon illumination 0.1%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 0.1%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 19h32m47s
Declination: -21°41'37"