March 2012 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

22 sky events total, including 5 moon phases and 5 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 2012 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Good
Apparent magnitude: 2.3
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 9.8"
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: 00h17m41s
Declination: +05°41'21"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.3
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 20.8"
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: 02h28m58s
Declination: +16°58'09"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.1
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 13.7"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 10h49m53s
Declination: +11°42'04"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.1
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 34.9"
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: 02h30m26s
Declination: +13°51'06"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.4
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 18.7"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 13h49m29s
Declination: -08°21'42"

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: 00h15m37s
Declination: +00°56'19"

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: 22h14m53s
Declination: -11°27'26"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 12438.5"
Status: Moon illumination 50.8%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 50.8%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 17h34m20s
Declination: -21°54'58"