This month the dominant constellations are, The Great Bear, which is also known as the Plough or the Big Dipper, is directly overhead, and Leo (the Lion) is high in the south.
The Plough looks like a frying pan in the sky. We use the two stars furthest from the handle or tail and draw a line across the sky to find the North Star. If, however, we use the two stars closest to the handle and draw a line in the opposite direction, we reach a bright star at the bottom of a backwards question mark. This is Regulus, the brightest star in Leo.
Using the handle of the Plough, follow the curve around and down and you will come across Arcturus in the constellation of Bootes. If the curved line is then continued you will reach a bright white star called Spica in the constellation of Virgo.
Now that the Plough being so high in the sky, the ‘W’ of Cassiopeia is now at its lowest.
Of the winter stars, only Capella in Auriga, Pollux and Castor in Gemini and Procyon in Canis Minor are still just visible in the south west as it becomes dark.
Aprils prominent planet is Mercury. This is the best month of the year to see Mercury, the messenger of the gods, which will be visible all month in the early evening twilight, the very best time being from April 9th until the 25th. Mercury, which looks pinkish, will appear as the only ‘star’ in the western horizon.
Jupiter is the bright white ‘star’ that can be seen all evening in the south. Jupiter will be to the left of Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, although Jupiter is the much the brighter object.
Mars and Saturn are still visible in the morning sky while Venus is not visible at all as it is too close to the Sun.
The first major meteor shower since January can be seen this month. The Lyrids will peak on the night of April 22nd and 23rd. When we see a meteor shower it is because the Earth is passing through a stream of dust left behind by a comet travelling around the Sun. In this case it is comet Thatcher, discovered in 1861. Unfortunately they coincide with a full Moon. But you may be lucky.
The phases of the Moon will be :-
New Moon 7th
First Quarter 14th
Full Moon 22nd
Last Quarter 30th