August 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

August 2010 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.7
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 8.7"
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: 11h09m33s
Declination: +02°04'31"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.4
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 23.0"
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: 12h27m23s
Declination: -04°12'23"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.5
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 4.5"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 12h36m54s
Declination: -03°40'27"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.8
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 47.5"
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: 00h11m51s
Declination: -00°21'03"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.0
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 16.1"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 12h11m44s
Declination: +01°07'22"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.8
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 3.7"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: Binoculars are recommended; Binoculars or a telescope are recommended

Right ascension: 00h01m09s
Declination: -00°43'32"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.7
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 2.4"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 21h59m14s
Declination: -12°48'50"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 12507.1"
Status: Moon illumination 31.2%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 31.2%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 13h43m28s
Declination: -15°57'52"