October 2016 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

21 sky events total, including 5 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

October 2016 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.2
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 5.1"
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: 12h50m53s
Declination: -03°35'55"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 12.9"
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: 15h33m49s
Declination: -20°09'24"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.2
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 8.1"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 18h52m44s
Declination: -25°05'49"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.7
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 30.7"
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: 12h29m49s
Declination: -02°01'09"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.5
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 15.6"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 16h45m57s
Declination: -20°56'00"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.7
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 3.7"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 01h24m17s
Declination: +08°10'20"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.7
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 2.3"
Status: near western quadrature

Observation tip: A telescope is required; A telescope is required; Neptune appears blue-green

Right ascension: 22h45m56s
Declination: -08°47'00"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 12867.6"
Status: Moon illumination 97.9%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 97.9%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 00h23m18s
Declination: +00°17'28"