Monday, April 24
Asteroid 4 Vesta, the second-most large physique in the primary belt, reaches conjunction with the Solar at 5 A.M. EDT. Whereas this implies it’s not seen, the No. 1 physique within the belt, 1 Ceres, is readily seen this night close to the tail of Leo the Lion.
After darkish, look south for the Sickle of Leo, a sample of six stars that begins with the Lion’s brightest star, Regulus, on the backside of the deal with and ends with Third-magnitude Epsilon (ϵ) Leonis on the tip of the hook. Many observers consider it as a backwards query mark on the sky. When you’ve discovered it, look left (east) down the Lion’s physique for the tip of his tail: That is 1st-magnitude Denebola. Ceres lies 3.5° east-northeast of this star, in a area comparatively devoid of vibrant background stars. The magnitude 7.5 dwarf planet needs to be comparatively simple to establish with binoculars or a telescope — you should utilize the chart in April’s Sky This Month to information you.
Subsequent, transfer again to the Sickle for a bonus goal: The galaxy NGC 2903 lies some 4° west-southwest of Epsilon (ϵ) Leonis. This Ninth-magnitude galaxy may be difficult in some binoculars, however its oval-shaped glow ought to present up in bigger pairs or via a extra highly effective telescope.
Dawn: 6:09 A.M.
Sundown: 7:48 P.M.
Moonrise: 8:55 A.M.
Moonset: 12:01 A.M.
Moon Part: Waxing crescent (21%)
Tuesday, April 25
The Moon continues alongside the ecliptic, passing 3° north of Mars at 10 P.M. EDT. The 2 are in roughly that place by sundown and an hour after the Solar disappears, they continue to be some 50° excessive within the west, hanging beneath 1st-magnitude Castor and Pollux.
Additionally setting within the west this night is without doubt one of the largest asterisms within the sky. Now that spring has sprung, the wintertime constellations are disappearing as darkness falls, together with the Winter Hexagon. It’s anchored by six vibrant stars, all nonetheless seen above the horizon for an hour or two after. Begin above the Moon and Mars at Pollux, the leftmost (jap) Twin’s head. From there, transfer clockwise to Capella in Auriga, Aldebaran in Taurus, Rigel in Orion, Sirius in Canis Main, and Procyon in Canis Minor, lastly closing the loop again at Pollux.
The Winter Hexagon encloses an enormous space of sky that incorporates many wealthy treasures, together with a number of vibrant nebulae and clusters. Quickly, these stars will set on the identical time and even earlier than the Solar and {the summertime} constellations will absolutely rule the sky from nightfall ‘until daybreak.
Dawn: 6:08 A.M.
Sundown: 7:49 P.M.
Moonrise: 9:48 A.M.
Moonset: 12:58 A.M.
Moon Part: Waxing crescent (30%)
