August 2018 Sky Events

Observer Location:Beijing (39.904°, 116.407°)

Monthly Sky Events Overview

19 sky events total, including 4 moon phases and 3 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

August 2018 mid-month observing conditions

Mercury

Good
Apparent magnitude: 3.0
Constellation: Leo
Angular diameter: 10.2"
Status: near greatest eastern elongation

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

Right ascension: 08h55m35s
Declination: +13°22'45"

Venus

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -4.4
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 23.6"
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: 12h27m29s
Declination: -04°20'21"

Mars

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.5
Constellation: Aquarius
Angular diameter: 23.4"
Status: near western quadrature

Observation tip: Very bright, easily visible to the naked eye; Its reddish appearance is obvious; it is best observed near opposition

Right ascension: 20h13m20s
Declination: -26°29'32"

Jupiter

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -2.0
Constellation: Scorpius
Angular diameter: 36.4"
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: 14h51m51s
Declination: -15°30'16"

Saturn

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: 0.3
Constellation: Capricornus
Angular diameter: 17.7"
Status: near western quadrature

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

Right ascension: 18h12m45s
Declination: -22°38'41"

Uranus

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 5.8
Constellation: Taurus
Angular diameter: 3.6"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 02h02m08s
Declination: +11°50'10"

Neptune

Fair
Apparent magnitude: 7.7
Constellation: Pisces
Angular diameter: 2.4"
Status: near eastern quadrature

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

Right ascension: 23h08m55s
Declination: -06°32'56"

Moon

Excellent
Apparent magnitude: -12.7
Constellation: Libra
Angular diameter: 12473.7"
Status: Moon illumination 17.4%

Observation tip: Moon illumination 17.4%; good for observing lunar surface detail

Right ascension: 12h48m51s
Declination: -00°01'53"