May 2012 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

18 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

May 2012 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.9
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 5.4"
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: 02h34m32s
Declination: +13°28'55"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.7
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 46.8"
Status: near superior 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: 05h32m57s
Declination: +27°22'17"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.2
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 8.9"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 10h43m48s
Declination: +09°46'28"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.0
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 32.8"
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: 03h25m22s
Declination: +17°52'44"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.4
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: 13h33m17s
Declination: -06°48'17"

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: 00h27m30s
Declination: +02°12'44"

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: 22h20m45s
Declination: -10°55'50"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 11706.3"
Status: Moon illumination 29.6%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 29.6%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 23h11m16s
Declination: +00°20'44"