May 2014 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

20 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 2014 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.5
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 6.4"
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: 04h46m12s
Declination: +24°39'18"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.0
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 15.4"
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: 00h53m06s
Declination: +03°43'22"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.9
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 13.4"
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: 12h35m20s
Declination: -02°43'39"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.9
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 34.1"
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: 07h14m53s
Declination: +22°38'14"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.1
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 18.7"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 15h11m47s
Declination: -15°16'05"

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: 00h55m22s
Declination: +05°12'57"

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: 22h37m30s
Declination: -09°26'18"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 12456.8"
Status: Moon illumination 99.9%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 99.9%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 15h39m50s
Declination: -16°59'03"