This month sees the seasonal change from winter constellations to spring constellations is more or less complete.
The Plough is practically overhead, with the ‘W’ of Cassiopeia is at its lowest. The stars Vega and Deneb, which form two thirds of the summer triangle, are rising in the northeast although they have yet to become prominent.
The main spring stars can now easily be found. In the south is the constellation Leo (the Lion), which looks like a giant backwards question mark, and at its base is the bright star Regulus. To find Regulus use the two pointers in the plough and rather than drawing a line to the North Star, go in the opposite direction.
The plough can also help us find two other bright stars in the spring sky. Using the handle of the Plough draw a curve round and down. This line will reach the bright orange star Arcturus in the constellation of Bootes (the Herdsman). If the line is continued further it will reach the bright blue-white star Spica in the constellation of Virgo (the Virgin).
MERCURY
The innermost planet will be at its greatest elongation west of the Sun on the 11th of the month. You will see it best in the morning sky after that date. During the second half of the month, look closely Mercury will be located down to the lower left of Venus, right on the horizon. A good pair of binoculars will give your best chance of success. Rising soon after 5am, Mercury brightens from +0.3 at the start of the month to –0.3 by the month end.
VENUS
With a clear eastern horizon, you can spot Venus lurking low in the dawn twilight. Shining at magnitude –3.9, the morning star peeps above the horizon around 5am. It will be visible for about half an hour before the sky fully brightens.
MARS
The Red planet starts the month next to the Pleiades star cluster, and then moves through Taurus, passing brighter star Aldebaran in mid April. As the Earth pulls away from Mars, its magnitude fades from magnitude +1.4 to +1.6. It will be falling below the horizon about midnight.
MARS
The Red planet starts the month next to the Pleiades star cluster, and then moves through Taurus, passing brighter star Aldebaran in mid April. As the Earth pulls away from Mars, its magnitude fades from magnitude +1.4 to +1.6. It will be falling below the horizon about midnight.
JUPITER
Around 1am Jupiter rises above the south east horizon. Located in the constellation of Ophiuchus, it shines bright at magnitude –2.3.
SATURN
The ring world rises around 3am, located in the constellation of Sagittarius at magnitude +0.5.
URANUS
This distant world will be too close to the Sun for observation this month.
NEPTUNE
As with Uranus Neptune will be too close to the Sun for observation this month.
PLUTO
Can be found in the constellation of Sagittarius. It will always be low down and only visible in a ten-inch or larger telescope in a truly dark sky for a short period of time.
CERES
The largest object in the asteroid belt can be located in the constellation of Ophiucus this month. With a magnitude of +8.0, it rises above the Horizon just before 1am.
Meteor Showers
The first major meteor shower since January can be seen this month. The April Lyrids occur on the night of April 21st/22nd when about 10 meteors per hour can be seen. This should be a good opportunity to see them, as the Moon will be well out of the way. The Lyrids are so named because they appear to come from the constellation of Lyra (the Lyre). Meteors are tiny grains of dust left over from comets that travel around the Sun. This meteor shower is the remains of comet Thatcher 1861.
Phases of the Moon for April
New Moon 5th April
First Quarter 12th April
Full Moon 19th April
Last Quarter 26th April