February 2012 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

17 sky events total, including 3 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

February 2012 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.4
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 5.0"
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: 22h17m20s
Declination: -12°26'34"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.2
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 16.5"
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: 00h29m10s
Declination: +03°03'51"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.9
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 13.1"
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: 11h29m43s
Declination: +07°45'59"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.2
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 37.5"
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: 02h10m27s
Declination: +12°04'14"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.5
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 18.0"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 13h53m19s
Declination: -08°49'56"

Uranus

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

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

Right ascension: 00h09m57s
Declination: +00°19'04"

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: 22h10m44s
Declination: -11°50'08"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 12523.6"
Status: Moon illumination 46.9%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 46.9%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 15h48m02s
Declination: -21°02'22"