May 2010 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

19 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 1 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

May 2010 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.5
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 10.3"
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: 02h07m18s
Declination: +09°45'24"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 12.0"
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: 05h33m20s
Declination: +24°40'39"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.9
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 6.6"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 09h26m14s
Declination: +16°55'23"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.2
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 36.2"
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: 23h48m43s
Declination: -02°24'24"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.8
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 18.6"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 11h56m46s
Declination: +03°03'29"

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: 23h59m31s
Declination: -00°50'56"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.8
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 2.3"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 22h03m44s
Declination: -12°22'28"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 12286.1"
Status: Moon illumination 1.2%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 1.2%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 04h14m18s
Declination: +24°20'32"