April 2017 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

22 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 4 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

April 2017 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Good
Apparent magnitude: 3.8
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 10.9"
Status: near superior conjunction

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

Right ascension: 02h01m33s
Declination: +15°15'59"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.7
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 49.0"
Status: near greatest eastern 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: 23h41m29s
Declination: +02°55'06"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.5
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 4.1"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 03h32m14s
Declination: +19°38'44"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.5
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 44.2"
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: 13h06m23s
Declination: -05°21'05"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.3
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 17.4"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 17h50m12s
Declination: -22°03'44"

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: 01h31m36s
Declination: +08°58'25"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.8
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 2.2"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 22h59m36s
Declination: -07°22'33"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Sagittarius
Angular diameter: 11477.4"
Status: Moon illumination 87.4%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 87.4%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 16h23m05s
Declination: -16°25'25"