January 2016 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

24 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 2016 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.3
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 10.1"
Status: near greatest eastern elongation

Observation tip: Binoculars are recommended; Mercury stays close to the Sun; best seen at dusk or dawn

Right ascension: 19h38m18s
Declination: -18°22'09"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.0
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 13.3"
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: 17h13m15s
Declination: -21°30'34"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.1
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 6.1"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 14h17m30s
Declination: -12°10'08"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.3
Constellation: Virgo
Angular diameter: 40.7"
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: 11h36m57s
Declination: +03°54'44"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.5
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 15.5"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 16h45m27s
Declination: -20°40'37"

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: 01h02m37s
Declination: +05°59'42"

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: 22h39m31s
Declination: -09°19'58"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 12586.0"
Status: Moon illumination 28.3%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 28.3%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 23h54m37s
Declination: -01°03'17"