Watch out on the night of 1st April for the crescent Moon hiding the ‘Seven Sisters’. Later in the months we are treated to a shower of shooting stars. The brilliant planets Jupiter and Mars are in the western sky.
April also 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).
THE PLANETS:-
MERCURY
It will not be possible to observe the inner most planet as it will be lost in the glare of the Sun.
VENUS
The evening star can be found low in the morning twilight. Venus rises above the horizon about 5am. It reaches its maximum brilliance as a morning star with a magnitude of –4.8 on 22nd April. On 22nd April the crescent Moon will be near Venus on the mornings of 24th and 25th of this month.
MARS
The red planet starts this month in the constellation of Gemini, forming a triangle with the stars Castor and Pollux. At magnitude +0.6 it slightly outshines the twin stars. Mars sets around 3.30am. The half Moon passes near Mars on 5th of this month. On the 10th Mars, Castor and Pollux are in a line. Towards the end of the month the red planet has moved into the neighbouring constellation of Cancer.
JUPITER
The gas giant is brilliant in the evening sky, at magnitude –2.0. moving between the horns of Taurus. Jupiter falls below the horizon around 1am. On the 2nd and 30th of April the crescent Moon forms a striking sight next to Jupiter.
SATURN
The ringworld will be too close to the Sun for observation this month.
URANUS
Located in the constellation of Taurus just below the Pleiades star cluster. It will be falling below the horizon around 10.30pm with a faint magnitude of +5.8. By the months end Uranus will be lost in the twilight glow.
NEPTUNE
The outer most planet will be too close to the Sun for observation this month.
PLUTO
Located low down in the south west in the constellation of Capricornus. At magnitude +14.5, this distance world rises at 3.20am and will be visible until sunrise.
CERES
The largest object in the asteroid belt can be located in the constellation of Aquarius this month, at magnitude +9.3. Ceres rises above the horizon just after 5.10am.
Meteor Showers :-
On the night’s of the 21st and into the 23rd of April will be the maximum of the Lyrid meteor shower. These shooting stars appear to emanate from the constellation Lyra as debris from Comet Thatcher burns up in the Earth’s atmosphere and they often leave glowing trails of dust. I will be a good year for observing the shooting stars, as the Moon doesn’t rise until 4am.
Special Events :-
1st April – between 9.30pm and 0.30am the crescent Moon passes right in front of the Pleiades star cluster, hiding in turn six of the seven sisters brightest stars. Find an observing location with a clear north west horizon, because the Moon is low in the sky and sets as the occultation is ending.
2nd April – There will be a lovely sight in the early evening sky when the crescent Moon pairs up with the bright planet Jupiter.
5th April – The reddish star near the first quarter Moon is the planet Mars.
12th and 13th April – the Full moon is close to the star Spica.
17th April – The Moon is near to the star Antares.
21st April – Mercury is at its greatest separation from the Sun.
22nd April – Venus reaches its maximum brightness at magnitude –4.8.
24th April – The crescent Moon lies to the right of bright Venus.
25th April – The crescent Moon is just below Venus.
30th April – The crescent Moon lies just above the gas giant planet Jupiter.
Phases of the Moon for April:-
First quarter 5th April
Full Moon 13th April
Last quarter 21st April
New Moon 27th April