February 2015 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

22 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 3 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 2015 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.3
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 8.3"
Status: near greatest eastern elongation

Observation tip: Visible to the naked eye; Mercury stays close to the Sun; best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 20h15m05s
Declination: -17°57'56"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 11.5"
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: 23h35m28s
Declination: -03°58'35"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.2
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 4.3"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 23h46m51s
Declination: -02°07'58"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.6
Constellation: Leo
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: 09h17m13s
Declination: +16°48'11"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.5
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 16.5"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 16h10m49s
Declination: -19°00'43"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.9
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 3.4"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 00h51m50s
Declination: +04°51'46"

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: 22h35m23s
Declination: -09°40'39"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 12479.8"
Status: Moon illumination 21.5%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 21.5%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 18h03m54s
Declination: -18°21'16"