January 2013 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

18 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

January 2013 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.2
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 4.7"
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: 19h40m05s
Declination: -23°22'31"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 10.4"
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: 18h31m46s
Declination: -23°07'54"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.2
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 4.1"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 21h14m03s
Declination: -17°11'12"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.6
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 45.2"
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: 04h20m02s
Declination: +20°47'11"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.6
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 16.6"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 14h35m22s
Declination: -12°42'00"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.9
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 3.5"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 00h19m41s
Declination: +01°22'18"

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: 22h14m53s
Declination: -11°30'51"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 12366.1"
Status: Moon illumination 13.4%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 13.4%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 22h29m55s
Declination: -04°06'58"