February 2010 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

17 sky events total, including 3 moon phases and 2 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

February 2010 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.3
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 5.3"
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: 20h37m50s
Declination: -19°58'32"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 9.9"
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: 22h27m09s
Declination: -11°15'52"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.0
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 13.4"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 08h29m21s
Declination: +23°31'24"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.0
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 33.1"
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: 22h34m22s
Declination: -09°59'17"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.7
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 19.1"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 12h17m41s
Declination: +00°47'44"

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: 23h42m24s
Declination: -02°41'35"

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: 21h54m12s
Declination: -13°11'41"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 11476.9"
Status: Moon illumination 0.8%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 0.8%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 22h24m45s
Declination: -05°59'06"