January 2017 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

24 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

January 2017 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.1
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 7.3"
Status: near greatest eastern 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: 18h06m31s
Declination: -21°21'32"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.5
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 25.1"
Status: near superior 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: 22h54m34s
Declination: -07°15'57"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.0
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 5.4"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 23h24m32s
Declination: -04°31'11"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.0
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 37.0"
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: 13h24m44s
Declination: -07°27'53"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.5
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 15.3"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 17h29m26s
Declination: -21°57'58"

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: 01h17m18s
Declination: +07°31'16"

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: 22h47m47s
Declination: -08°34'06"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 12294.2"
Status: Moon illumination 92.1%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 92.1%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 09h59m14s
Declination: +11°42'55"