SkyEye

Welcome to SkyEye, your guide to this month's celestial events. All dates are based on Universal Time (UT).

The Sun and Moon

There are no eclipses this month.

As seen from the Earth, the Sun is moving from the constellation Pisces to the constellation Aries.

The phases of the Moon are

First Quarter : 1 April
Full : 8 April
Last Quarter : 15 April
New : 23 April
First Quarter : 30 April

The Moon is at perigee on 5 April and at apogee on 17 April. The second Full Moon in a calendar month is sometimes referred to as a Blue Moon but what is the second First Quarter Moon in a month called?

The Planets

The word planet is derived from the Greek word for "wanderer." Unlike the background stars, planets seem to move around the sky, keeping mostly to a narrow track called the ecliptic, the path of the Sun across the stars.
Mercury
Mercury is at superior conjunction with the Sun on 23 April. Observers in the southern hemisphere have the best chance of seeing this elusive planet just before sunrise early in the month. Mercury is moving through the constellations Aquarius, Pisces and Aries.
Venus
Emerging from the solar glare just before sunrise, Venus begins prograde motion on 17 April. Southern hemisphere observers get much the best views of the "morning star" as it rises in the predawn sky. Venus can be found in the constellation Pisces.
Mars
Now rising before midnight, the red planet moves from the constellation Ophiuchus to the constellation Sagittarius. Compare the colour of Mars with that of its "rival," Antares.
Jupiter
The largest planet in the solar system continues to dominate the constellation Taurus.
Saturn
Saturn can be found not far from Jupiter in the constellation Taurus. Look for them in the southwest after sunset.
Uranus
This denizen of the outer solar system rises in the early morning hours in the constellation Capricornus.
Neptune
The blue gas giant is at west quadrature on 28 April in the constellation Capricornus.
Pluto
Rising just as Jupiter and Saturn set, Pluto is so small and faint that a large telescope is always needed to see it. The outermost planet in the solar system is located in the constellation Ophiuchus.

Minor Planets, Comets and Meteors

Minor Planets
A number of interesting minor planets populate the solar system.
Comets
There are no naked-eye comets visible this month.
Meteors
Two meteor showers are on offer this month. The Lyrids peak at 4 UT on 22 April. The next day, at 15 UT, southern hemisphere observers will have a chance to look for the Pi Puppids. The New Moon on 23 April means dark skies for both showers.

The Celestial Sphere

Constellations are patterns of stars in the sky. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) recognises 88 different constellations. The brightest stars as seen from the Earth are easy to spot but do you know their proper names? With a set of binoculars you can look for fainter objects such as nebulae and galaxies or some of the closest stars to the Sun.

Descriptions of the sky for observers in both the northern and southern hemispheres are available for the following times this month. Subtract one hour from your local time if daylight savings time is in effect. (Note: These times are approximate.)

Northern Hemisphere : 45° N

Southern Hemisphere : 30° S

For More Information...

Credits

Much of this information can be found in this month's issue of Sky & Telescope and in other fine amateur astronomy magazines available in your local bookshop. Another excellent source is the current edition of the Astronomical Calendar by Guy Ottewell and published by the Universal Workshop at Furman University.

The image of the Sun in the SkyEye banner is courtesy of the SOHO/EIT consortium. SOHO is a project of international cooperation between ESA and NASA. Used with permission.

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Last modified on 31 March 2001
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