January 2018 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

24 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

January 2018 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -0.4
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 5.4"
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: 18h22m31s
Declination: -23°19'08"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -3.9
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 9.8"
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: 19h53m19s
Declination: -21°51'09"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 1.4
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 5.1"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 15h22m45s
Declination: -17°42'51"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -1.9
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 34.2"
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: 15h07m55s
Declination: -16°28'04"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.5
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 15.1"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 18h13m00s
Declination: -22°30'53"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.8
Constellation: Aries
Angular diameter: 3.5"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 01h32m06s
Declination: +09°01'13"

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: 22h55m56s
Declination: -07°48'10"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 11446.8"
Status: Moon illumination 4.0%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 4.0%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 18h08m58s
Declination: -19°50'20"