March 2010 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

20 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

March 2010 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.9
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 5.0"
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: 23h42m58s
Declination: -03°27'23"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 10.2"
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: 00h35m52s
Declination: +02°40'46"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.2
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 10.7"
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: 08h13m39s
Declination: +23°27'40"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.0
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 33.1"
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: 22h59m41s
Declination: -07°27'45"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.5
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 19.5"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 12h10m49s
Declination: +01°37'06"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 6.0
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 3.3"
Status: near western quadrature

Observation tip: A telescope is required; Binoculars or a telescope are recommended

Right ascension: 23h48m04s
Declination: -02°04'27"

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: 21h58m11s
Declination: -12°50'53"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 11533.8"
Status: Moon illumination 0.9%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 0.9%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 22h56m45s
Declination: -02°13'26"