January 2012 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

17 sky events total, including 5 moon phases and 0 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

January 2012 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.5
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 5.0"
Status: near inferior conjunction

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Mercury stays close to the Sun; best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 18h43m36s
Declination: -23°53'32"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.0
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 13.8"
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: 22h14m11s
Declination: -12°37'58"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.1
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 10.2"
Status: near eastern quadrature

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Its reddish appearance is obvious; it is best observed near opposition

Right ascension: 11h38m06s
Declination: +06°00'17"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.4
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 41.4"
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: 01h57m19s
Declination: +10°45'14"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.7
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 17.1"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 13h51m27s
Declination: -08°48'22"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.9
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 3.4"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 00h05m28s
Declination: -00°11'08"

Neptune

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

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

Right ascension: 22h06m29s
Declination: -12°13'28"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 12511.4"
Status: Moon illumination 65.6%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 65.6%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 12h15m01s
Declination: -06°49'48"