March 2011 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

16 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

March 2011 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.0
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 6.0"
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: 00h33m53s
Declination: +04°23'37"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.0
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 14.5"
Status: near inferior conjunction

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: 21h11m01s
Declination: -16°13'47"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.1
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 4.0"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 23h09m05s
Declination: -06°33'38"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.1
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 33.5"
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: 00h42m13s
Declination: +03°21'17"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.5
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 19.2"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 13h00m50s
Declination: -03°33'22"

Uranus

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

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

Right ascension: 00h01m44s
Declination: -00°34'51"

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: 22h06m30s
Declination: -12°09'58"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 12393.3"
Status: Moon illumination 70.9%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 70.9%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 07h19m52s
Declination: +20°25'13"