May 2011 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

16 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 2011 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.2
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 7.1"
Status: near inferior conjunction

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

Right ascension: 01h51m10s
Declination: +08°08'14"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 11.1"
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: 01h49m42s
Declination: +09°32'56"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.3
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 4.1"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 02h03m09s
Declination: +11°52'38"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.1
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 33.9"
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: 01h36m18s
Declination: +08°51'15"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.6
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 18.8"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 12h45m08s
Declination: -01°56'50"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 6.0
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 3.4"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 00h13m26s
Declination: +00°40'33"

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: 22h12m15s
Declination: -11°39'41"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 12840.8"
Status: Moon illumination 91.3%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 91.3%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 13h05m44s
Declination: -12°03'20"