May 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

May 2015 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.4
Constellation: Gemini
Angular diameter: 9.7"
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: 04h42m56s
Declination: +24°10'03"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.2
Constellation: Cancer
Angular diameter: 18.7"
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: 06h34m14s
Declination: +25°55'10"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.4
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 3.7"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 03h59m30s
Declination: +20°54'01"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.0
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 36.3"
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: 09h09m09s
Declination: +17°19'46"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.1
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 18.5"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 16h02m26s
Declination: -18°27'28"

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: 01h09m23s
Declination: +06°41'24"

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: 22h45m47s
Declination: -08°40'31"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 12711.7"
Status: Moon illumination 13.2%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 13.2%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 00h41m50s
Declination: +04°18'00"