April 2010 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

20 sky events total, including 4 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

April 2010 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.1
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 9.1"
Status: near superior conjunction

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

Right ascension: 02h34m45s
Declination: +18°22'05"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 10.9"
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: 03h00m09s
Declination: +17°08'44"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.4
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 8.2"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 08h38m47s
Declination: +21°00'50"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.1
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 34.1"
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: 23h26m20s
Declination: -04°43'23"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.6
Constellation: Libra
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: 12h02m13s
Declination: +02°32'53"

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: 23h54m25s
Declination: -01°23'24"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.8
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 2.2"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: A telescope is required; A telescope is required; Neptune appears blue-green

Right ascension: 22h01m46s
Declination: -12°32'18"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 11893.4"
Status: Moon illumination 0.4%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 0.4%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 01h46m49s
Declination: +16°11'48"