{"id":779947,"date":"2024-04-01T08:21:05","date_gmt":"2024-04-01T13:21:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=779947"},"modified":"2024-04-01T08:21:05","modified_gmt":"2024-04-01T13:21:05","slug":"stargazing-calendar-for-april-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=779947","title":{"rendered":"Stargazing Calendar for April 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10422\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10422\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10422\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Sombrero-Galaxy-M104-NGC-4594.jpg\" alt=\"Sombrero Galaxy M104 NGC 4594\" width=\"800\" height=\"448\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Sombrero-Galaxy-M104-NGC-4594.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Sombrero-Galaxy-M104-NGC-4594-640x358.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Sombrero-Galaxy-M104-NGC-4594-750x420.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Sombrero-Galaxy-M104-NGC-4594-598x335.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Sombrero-Galaxy-M104-NGC-4594-768x430.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10422\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sombrero Galaxy (M104 or NGC 4594). A mosaic of six images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope\u2019s Advanced Camera for Surveys in May and June 2003. Credit: NASA\/ESA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI\/AURA).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Discover the wonders of the night sky this April 2024 with stargazing events ranging from mesmerizing planetary conjunctions to a total solar eclipse. Prepare for captivating encounters with the comet 12P\/Pons-Brooks or the Lyrid meteor shower.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you\u2019re a seasoned astronomer or a curious novice, get ready to be enchanted by the celestial splendor awaiting you in the vast expanse above. Join us as we unveil the celestial spectacle of stargazing this April 2024, where every night holds a new cosmic marvel to behold.<\/p>\n<div class=\"342c8a430808ee5770f45cb96cddd88b\" data-index=\"2\" style=\"float: none; margin:10px 0 10px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<h5 align=\"left\">Would you like to be notified of stargazing events?<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"List_of_Meteor_Showers_in_April_2024\"\/>List of Meteor Showers in April 2024<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Antihelion Source<\/strong>: Start on December 10; multiple peaks; end September 10.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lyrids<\/strong>: Start on April 16; peak on April 22; end on April\u00a025.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u03c0-Puppids<\/strong>: Start on April 15; peak on April 23; end on April 28.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u03b7-Aquariids<\/strong>: Start on April 19; peak on May 5; end on May 28.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>We also have a complete list of\u00a0meteor showers for the entire year of 2024 here.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"List_of_Planetary_Conjunctions_in_April_2024\"\/>List of Planetary Conjunctions in April 2024<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Conjunction of <strong>Venus and Neptune<\/strong> in Pisces on April 3.<\/li>\n<li>Conjunction of <strong>the Moon and Mars<\/strong> in Aquarius on April 6.<\/li>\n<li>Conjunction of <strong>the Moon and Saturn<\/strong> in Aquarius on April 6.<\/li>\n<li>Conjunction of <strong>the Moon and Venus<\/strong> in Pisces on April 6.<\/li>\n<li>Conjunction of <strong>the Moon and Jupiter<\/strong> in Aries on April 10.<\/li>\n<li>Conjunction of <strong>Saturn and Mars<\/strong> in Aquarius on April 11.<\/li>\n<li>Conjunction of <strong>Jupiter and Uranus<\/strong> in Aries on April 20.<\/li>\n<li>Conjunction of <strong>Mars and Neptune<\/strong> in Pisces on April 23.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_2_The_Sombrero_Galaxy_at_its_highest_point_in_the_sky\"\/>April 2: The Sombrero Galaxy at its highest point in the sky<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Sombrero Galaxy, also known as Messier 104 (M104) or NGC 4594, is a peculiar galaxy of unclear classification located in the constellation of Virgo. (See featured image at the top of this article.) It gets its name from its distinctive appearance resembling a Mexican hat, with a prominent central bulge surrounded by a flat, disk-like structure of stars, dust, and gas. The dark dust lane that wraps around the galaxy\u2019s bulge gives it the appearance of a wide-brimmed hat.<\/p>\n<p>The galaxy will reach its highest point in the sky at around midnight local time. It will reach apparent magnitude of 8.6, which means it will require at least a 4 inch telescope, but an 8 inch telescope is recommended to be able to distinguish the bulge from the disk. The Moon will be a 22 days old waning crescent at 44%.<\/p>\n<p>The Sombrero Galaxy is slightly larger than our own Milky Way at about 100,000 light-years in diameter. It is located 31.1 million light-years away in the Virgo II Groups, a series of galaxy clusters and individual galaxies stretching out from the southern edge of the Virgo Supercluster.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9020\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9020\" style=\"width: 907px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Virgo Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"907\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Virgo-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 907w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Virgo-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x542.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Virgo-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x635.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Virgo-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x506.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Virgo-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x650.jpg 768w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Virgo-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 907px) 100vw, 907px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9020 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9020\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Virgo-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Virgo Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"907\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Virgo-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 907w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Virgo-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x542.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Virgo-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x635.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Virgo-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x506.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/12\/Virgo-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x650.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 907px) 100vw, 907px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9020\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Virgo Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_3_Conjunction_of_Venus_and_Neptune\"\/>April 3: Conjunction of Venus and Neptune<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>Venus and Neptune will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 17\u2032 of each other.<\/p>\n<p>Look for the two planets in the constellation of Pisces. Venus will be at apparent magnitude -3.9, and Neptune at 8.0. Venus will be visible to the naked eye but Neptune will require a telescope. The Moon will be a 24 days old waning crescent at 30%.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8839\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8839\" style=\"width: 877px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pisces Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"877\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 877w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x525.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-800x701.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x219.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x673.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-150x131.jpg 150w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 877px) 100vw, 877px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8839 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8839\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Pisces Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"877\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 877w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x525.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-800x701.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x219.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x673.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Pisces-Constellation-Map-IAU-150x131.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 877px) 100vw, 877px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8839\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pisces Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_5_The_Jewel_Box_cluster_at_its_highest_point_in_the_sky\"\/>April 5: The Jewel Box cluster at its highest point in the sky<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Jewel Box, also known as NGC 4755, is a famous open star cluster located in the southern constellation of Crux (the Southern Cross). It was discovered by the French astronomer Abb\u00e9 Nicolas Louis de Lacaille during his expedition to South Africa in the mid-18th century. It was later named the Jewel Box by John Herschel due to its bright and colorful stars, which give it a jewel-like appearance.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10426\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10426\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Jewel Box Cluster NGC 4755 ESO VLT\" width=\"800\" height=\"802\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Jewel-Box-Cluster-NGC-4755-ESO-VLT.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Jewel-Box-Cluster-NGC-4755-ESO-VLT-640x642.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Jewel-Box-Cluster-NGC-4755-ESO-VLT-750x752.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Jewel-Box-Cluster-NGC-4755-ESO-VLT-596x598.jpg 596w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Jewel-Box-Cluster-NGC-4755-ESO-VLT-768x770.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Jewel-Box-Cluster-NGC-4755-ESO-VLT-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Jewel-Box-Cluster-NGC-4755-ESO-VLT-75x75.jpg 75w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Jewel-Box-Cluster-NGC-4755-ESO-VLT.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10426 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10426\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Jewel-Box-Cluster-NGC-4755-ESO-VLT.jpg\" alt=\"Jewel Box Cluster NGC 4755 ESO VLT\" width=\"800\" height=\"802\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Jewel-Box-Cluster-NGC-4755-ESO-VLT.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Jewel-Box-Cluster-NGC-4755-ESO-VLT-640x642.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Jewel-Box-Cluster-NGC-4755-ESO-VLT-750x752.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Jewel-Box-Cluster-NGC-4755-ESO-VLT-596x598.jpg 596w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Jewel-Box-Cluster-NGC-4755-ESO-VLT-768x770.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Jewel-Box-Cluster-NGC-4755-ESO-VLT-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Jewel-Box-Cluster-NGC-4755-ESO-VLT-75x75.jpg 75w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10426\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jewel Box Cluster (NGC 4755) taken by ESO VLT. Credit: ESO\/Y. Beletsky. License: CC BY 4.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The cluster will reach its highest point in the sky at around midnight local time. It will reach apparent magnitude 4.2, which means it will be very difficult to spot with the naked eye, so a pair of binoculars or a small telescope is recommended for optimal viewing. The Moon will be a 25 days old waning crescent at 13%.<\/p>\n<p>Keep in mind that this cluster is not visible to those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, as Crux is a southern constellation.<\/p>\n<p>The Jewel Box contains approximately 100 stars, with many of them being young, hot, and massive. The cluster is estimated to be around 16 million years old\u00a0and is located 6,440 light years away.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10428\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10428\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Crux Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"800\" height=\"758\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Crux-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Crux-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x606.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Crux-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x710.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Crux-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x566.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Crux-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x727.jpg 768w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Crux-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10428 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10428\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Crux-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Crux Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"800\" height=\"758\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Crux-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Crux-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x606.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Crux-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x710.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Crux-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x566.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Crux-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x727.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10428\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Crux Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_6_Conjunction_of_the_Moon_and_Mars\"\/>April 6: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Moon and Mars will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 1\u00b058\u2032 of each other.<\/p>\n<p>Over an hour later, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 1\u00b045\u2032 from each other, but no longer sharing the same right ascension.<\/p>\n<p>Look for the two bodies in the constellation of Aquarius. The Moon will be a very thin waning crescent (6%) at 27 days old, very close to new moon. Despite this, the Moon will still be at apparent magnitude of -10.3, while Mars will be at magnitude 1.2.<\/p>\n<p>Saturn and Venus will also be nearby preparing for their own conjunctions with the Moon, Saturn a few hours later and Venus the next day. Enjoy stargazing at this exquisite quadruple gathering, this month of April 2024.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9069\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9069\" style=\"width: 874px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Aquarius Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"874\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 874w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x562.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x659.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x525.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x675.jpg 768w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 874px) 100vw, 874px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9069 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9069\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Aquarius Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"874\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 874w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x562.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x659.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x525.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Aquarius-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x675.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 874px) 100vw, 874px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9069\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Aquarius Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_6_Conjunction_of_the_Moon_and_Saturn\"\/>April 6: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Moon and Saturn will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 1\u00b013\u2032 of each other.<\/p>\n<p>At around the same time the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 1\u00b004\u2032 from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.<\/p>\n<p>The two celestial bodies will meet in the constellation of Aquarius with the Moon at apparent magnitude of -10.1 and Saturn at 1.0. The Moon will be a 27 days old waning crescent at 5%.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_6_Conjunction_of_the_Moon_and_Venus\"\/>April 6: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Moon and Venus will reach conjunction passing within 23\u2032 of each other while sharing the same right ascension.<\/p>\n<p>At around the same time the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 20.7 arcminutes from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension. In some parts of the world this distance will be so close as to lead to a lunar occultation of Venus, meaning the Moon will pass in from of Venus thereby hiding it from view temporarily. If you\u2019re in the eastern coast of North America or in Central America, you\u2019re in luck!<\/p>\n<p>The Moon will be at apparent magnitude -8.4 and Venus at magnitude -3.9 both in the constellation of Pisces. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of Venus and Neptune.) By then, the Moon would have faded to less than 1% of its size \u2013 a 28 days old waning crescent only a day away from new moon \u2013 and will not interfere with stargazing this early to middle April 2024.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_8_Asteroid_532_Herculina_at_opposition\"\/>April 8: Asteroid 532 Herculina at opposition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>Asteroid 532 Herculina will reach opposition, when it lies opposite to the Sun in the sky. It will reach the highest point in the sky around midnight local time.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10429\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10429\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Asteroid 532 Herculina Lightcurve Inversion\" width=\"800\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Asteroid-532-Herculina-Lightcurve-Inversion.png 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Asteroid-532-Herculina-Lightcurve-Inversion-640x240.png 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Asteroid-532-Herculina-Lightcurve-Inversion-750x281.png 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Asteroid-532-Herculina-Lightcurve-Inversion-598x224.png 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Asteroid-532-Herculina-Lightcurve-Inversion-768x288.png 768w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Asteroid-532-Herculina-Lightcurve-Inversion.png\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10429 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10429\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Asteroid-532-Herculina-Lightcurve-Inversion.png\" alt=\"Asteroid 532 Herculina Lightcurve Inversion\" width=\"800\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Asteroid-532-Herculina-Lightcurve-Inversion.png 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Asteroid-532-Herculina-Lightcurve-Inversion-640x240.png 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Asteroid-532-Herculina-Lightcurve-Inversion-750x281.png 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Asteroid-532-Herculina-Lightcurve-Inversion-598x224.png 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Asteroid-532-Herculina-Lightcurve-Inversion-768x288.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10429\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A three-dimensional model of 532 Herculina that was computed using light curve inversion techniques by Josef \u010eurech and Vojt\u011bch Sidorin from the Astronomical Institute of the Charles University. License: CC BY 4.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>On this occasion, the asteroid Herculina will pass within 1.352 AU of Earth and reach a peak brightness of apparent magnitude 9.1. Unfortunately even at the peak, this asteroid will be too faint to observe with the naked eye. You will need at least a 4 inch telescope, which you should point towards the constellation of Bootes. The Moon will be 29 days old and a new moon and so will not interfere with observations.<\/p>\n<p>Herculina is a large asteroid of the main belt at mean diameter of 167.79 km. It orbits the Sun at a semi-major axis of 2.7695 AU. (Source: NASA JPL Small-Body Database Lookup for 532 Herculina.)<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9063\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9063\" style=\"width: 813px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Bootes Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"813\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Bootes-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg 813w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Bootes-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x787.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Bootes-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x922.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Bootes-Constellation-Map-IAU-486x598.jpg 486w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Bootes-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x944.jpg 768w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Bootes-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 813px) 100vw, 813px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9063 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9063\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Bootes-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Bootes Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"813\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Bootes-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg 813w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Bootes-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x787.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Bootes-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x922.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Bootes-Constellation-Map-IAU-486x598.jpg 486w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Bootes-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x944.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 813px) 100vw, 813px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9063\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bootes Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_8_Total_solar_eclipse\"\/>April 8:\u00a0Total solar eclipse<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>A total solar eclipse happens when the moon fully obscures the Sun, displaying its gorgeous outer atmosphere, known as the corona. This is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime event.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9895\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9895\" style=\"width: 780px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Chromosphere And Corona\" width=\"780\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/10\/Chromosphere-and-Corona.jpg 780w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/10\/Chromosphere-and-Corona-640x630.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/10\/Chromosphere-and-Corona-750x738.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/10\/Chromosphere-and-Corona-598x589.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/10\/Chromosphere-and-Corona-768x756.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/10\/Chromosphere-and-Corona-75x75.jpg 75w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/10\/Chromosphere-and-Corona.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9895 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9895\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/10\/Chromosphere-and-Corona.jpg\" alt=\"Chromosphere And Corona\" width=\"780\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/10\/Chromosphere-and-Corona.jpg 780w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/10\/Chromosphere-and-Corona-640x630.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/10\/Chromosphere-and-Corona-750x738.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/10\/Chromosphere-and-Corona-598x589.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/10\/Chromosphere-and-Corona-768x756.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/10\/Chromosphere-and-Corona-75x75.jpg 75w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9895\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chromosphere and corona during the 1999 total solar eclipse in France. Photo by Luc Viatour. License: CC BY-SA 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The path of totality will begin in the Pacific Ocean and move across parts of Mexico and the eastern United States and some small parts of eastern Canada (including a sliver of southern Ontario, southern Quebec including the city of Montreal, as well as parts of the maritime provinces.)<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t forget to keep your eyes safe with protective gear such as a solar viewer. You should also apply a filter to your telescope or binoculars if you\u2019re planning to use those. Make sure the filters meet the ISO 12312-2 standard for safe viewing!<\/p>\n<p>For more information see the chart below from\u00a0NASA\u2019s eclipses\u00a0website:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Total Solar Eclipse April 08 2024\" width=\"1121\" height=\"1452\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Total-Solar-Eclipse-April-08-2024.gif\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10430 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10430\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Total-Solar-Eclipse-April-08-2024.gif\" alt=\"Total Solar Eclipse April 08 2024\" width=\"1121\" height=\"1452\"\/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_10_Conjunction_of_the_Moon_and_Jupiter\"\/>April 10: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Moon and Jupiter will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 3\u00b059\u2032 of each other.<\/p>\n<p>The two celestial bodies will meet in the constellation of Aries with the Moon at apparent magnitude of -9.8 and Jupiter at -2.0. The Moon will be a 2 days old waxing crescent at 9%.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8951\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8951\" style=\"width: 814px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Aries Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"814\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Aries-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 814w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Aries-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x566.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Aries-Constellation-Map-IAU-800x755.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Aries-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x236.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Aries-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x725.jpg 768w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Aries-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 814px) 100vw, 814px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8951 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8951\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Aries-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Aries Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"814\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Aries-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 814w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Aries-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x566.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Aries-Constellation-Map-IAU-800x755.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Aries-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x236.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Aries-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x725.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 814px) 100vw, 814px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8951\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Aries Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_11_Conjunction_of_Saturn_and_Mars\"\/>April 11: Conjunction of Saturn and Mars<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>Saturn and Mars will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 28\u2032 of each other.<\/p>\n<p>At around the same time the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 26.4 arcminutes from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.<\/p>\n<p>The two planets will meet in the constellation of Aquarius with an apparent magnitude of 1.0 for Saturn and 1.2 for Mars. The Moon will be 3 days old waxing crescent at 11%. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction\u00a0of the Moon and Mars.)<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_11_Close_approach_of_the_Moon_and_the_Pleiades\"\/>April 11: Close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Moon and the Pleiades (also known as M45 or Messier 45) will make a close approach, passing within only 19.5 arcminutes of each other.<\/p>\n<p>Both objects will be in the constellation of Taurus with the Moon being at apparent magnitude -10.3; and the Pleiades at 1.3. The Moon will be a 3 days old waxing crescent at 14%.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8843\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8843\" style=\"width: 814px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Taurus Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"814\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 814w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x604.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x708.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x564.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x725.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-740x698.jpg 740w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-638x602.jpg 638w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x566.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-800x755.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x236.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-150x142.jpg 150w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 814px) 100vw, 814px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8843 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8843\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Taurus Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"814\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 814w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x604.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x708.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x564.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x725.jpg 768w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-740x698.jpg 740w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-638x602.jpg 638w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-600x566.jpg 600w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-800x755.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-250x236.jpg 250w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/10\/Taurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-150x142.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 814px) 100vw, 814px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8843\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Taurus Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_14_Centaurus_A_at_its_highest_point_in_the_sky\"\/>April 14: Centaurus A at its highest point in the sky<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>Centaurus A, also known as NGC 5128, is a prominent galaxy located in the constellation of Centaurus approximately 11 million light-years away. It is one of the closest active galaxies to Earth. It is a member of the Centaurus A\/M83 Group within the Council of Giants.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10314\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10314\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Centaurus A Galaxy NGC 5128\" width=\"800\" height=\"843\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Centaurus-A-Galaxy-NGC-5128.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Centaurus-A-Galaxy-NGC-5128-640x674.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Centaurus-A-Galaxy-NGC-5128-750x790.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Centaurus-A-Galaxy-NGC-5128-568x598.jpg 568w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Centaurus-A-Galaxy-NGC-5128-768x809.jpg 768w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Centaurus-A-Galaxy-NGC-5128.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10314 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10314\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Centaurus-A-Galaxy-NGC-5128.jpg\" alt=\"Centaurus A Galaxy NGC 5128\" width=\"800\" height=\"843\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Centaurus-A-Galaxy-NGC-5128.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Centaurus-A-Galaxy-NGC-5128-640x674.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Centaurus-A-Galaxy-NGC-5128-750x790.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Centaurus-A-Galaxy-NGC-5128-568x598.jpg 568w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Centaurus-A-Galaxy-NGC-5128-768x809.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10314\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Centaurus A Galaxy (NGC 5128). Credit: ESO\/WFI (Optical); MPIfR\/ESO\/APEX\/A.Weiss et al. (Submillimetre); NASA\/CXC\/CfA\/R.Kraft et al. (X-ray). License: CC BY 4.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The galaxy will reach its highest point in the sky at around midnight local time. It will reach apparent magnitude 7.0, so a pair of binoculars or a small telescope is recommended for optimal viewing. The Moon will be a 6 days old waxing crescent at 36%.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9086\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9086\" style=\"width: 874px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Centaurus Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"874\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Centaurus-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 874w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Centaurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x562.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Centaurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x659.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Centaurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x525.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Centaurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x675.jpg 768w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Centaurus-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 874px) 100vw, 874px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9086 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9086\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Centaurus-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Centaurus Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"874\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Centaurus-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 874w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Centaurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x562.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Centaurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x659.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Centaurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x525.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/01\/Centaurus-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x675.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 874px) 100vw, 874px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9086\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Centaurus Constellation Map IAU. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_14_Omega_Centauri_cluster_at_its_highest_point_in_the_sky\"\/>April 14: Omega Centauri cluster at its highest point in the sky<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) is a remarkable globular cluster located in the constellation of Centaurus. It is one of the brightest and the second largest known globular cluster in the Milky Way. It is believed to have originated as the core remnant of a disrupted dwarf galaxy that has been swallowed by our own galaxy.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10433\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10433\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Omega Centauri NGC 5139\" width=\"800\" height=\"752\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Omega-Centauri-NGC-5139.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Omega-Centauri-NGC-5139-640x602.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Omega-Centauri-NGC-5139-750x705.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Omega-Centauri-NGC-5139-598x562.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Omega-Centauri-NGC-5139-768x722.jpg 768w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Omega-Centauri-NGC-5139.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10433 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10433\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Omega-Centauri-NGC-5139.jpg\" alt=\"Omega Centauri NGC 5139\" width=\"800\" height=\"752\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Omega-Centauri-NGC-5139.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Omega-Centauri-NGC-5139-640x602.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Omega-Centauri-NGC-5139-750x705.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Omega-Centauri-NGC-5139-598x562.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Omega-Centauri-NGC-5139-768x722.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10433\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) globular cluster. Credit: ESO. License: CC BY 4.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The globular cluster will reach its highest point in the sky at around midnight local time. It will reach apparent magnitude 3.6, which is technically possible to view with the naked eye under the best circumstances, but how often does that happen? I\u2019d definitely recommend a pair of binoculars or a small telescope to see more details. Look in the constellation of Centaurus near the previously mentioned Centaurus A galaxy. The Moon will be a 6 days old waxing crescent at 36%.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_15_Whirlpool_Galaxy_at_its_highest_point_in_the_sky\"\/>April 15: Whirlpool Galaxy\u00a0at its highest point in the sky<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Whirlpool Galaxy, also known as Messier 51 (M51) or NGC 5194, is a famous spiral galaxy located in the constellation Canes Venatici, approximately 23.5 million light-years away from Earth. It is one of the most recognizable and studied galaxies in the night sky.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10295\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10295\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Whirlpool Galaxy M51 NGC 5194\" width=\"800\" height=\"555\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Whirlpool-Galaxy-M51-NGC-5194.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Whirlpool-Galaxy-M51-NGC-5194-640x444.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Whirlpool-Galaxy-M51-NGC-5194-750x521.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Whirlpool-Galaxy-M51-NGC-5194-598x415.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Whirlpool-Galaxy-M51-NGC-5194-768x533.jpg 768w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Whirlpool-Galaxy-M51-NGC-5194.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10295 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10295\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Whirlpool-Galaxy-M51-NGC-5194.jpg\" alt=\"Whirlpool Galaxy M51 NGC 5194\" width=\"800\" height=\"555\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Whirlpool-Galaxy-M51-NGC-5194.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Whirlpool-Galaxy-M51-NGC-5194-640x444.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Whirlpool-Galaxy-M51-NGC-5194-750x521.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Whirlpool-Galaxy-M51-NGC-5194-598x415.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Whirlpool-Galaxy-M51-NGC-5194-768x533.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10295\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Strings of red H II regions delineate the arms of the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51, NGC 5194). Credit:<br \/>NASA, ESA, S. Beckwith (STScI), and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI\/AURA).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The galaxy will reach its highest point in the sky at around midnight local time. It will reach apparent magnitude 8.4, which means you need at least a four inch telescope. The Moon will be a 7 days old waxing crescent at 46%.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10434\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10434\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Canes Venatici Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"800\" height=\"752\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Canes-Venatici-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Canes-Venatici-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x602.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Canes-Venatici-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x705.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Canes-Venatici-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x562.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Canes-Venatici-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x722.jpg 768w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Canes-Venatici-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10434 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10434\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Canes-Venatici-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Canes Venatici Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"800\" height=\"752\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Canes-Venatici-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Canes-Venatici-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x602.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Canes-Venatici-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x705.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Canes-Venatici-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x562.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Canes-Venatici-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x722.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10434\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Canes Venatici Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_20_Conjunction_of_Jupiter_and_Uranus\"\/>April 20: Conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>Jupiter and Uranus will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 31\u2032 of each other.<\/p>\n<p>The two planets will meet in the constellation of Aries with an apparent magnitude of -2.0 for Jupiter and 5.8 for Uranus. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter.) The Moon will be 12 days old waxing gibbous at 90%.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_21_Dwarf_Planet_Haumea_at_opposition\"\/>April 21: Dwarf Planet Haumea at opposition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>At about midnight local time, the dwarf planet Haumea (minor-planet designation of 136108 Haumea) will reach the highest point in the sky and be opposite of the Sun. Look in the constellation of Bootes with a large telescope, as it will have an apparent magnitude of 17.3. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing asteroid 532 Herculina at opposition.) At around the same time Haumea will also reach its closest point to the Earth (perigee) at a distance of 49.09 AU.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9255\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9255\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dwarf Planet Haumea With Rings Artists View\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Dwarf-Planet-Haumea-With-Rings-Artists-View.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Dwarf-Planet-Haumea-With-Rings-Artists-View-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Dwarf-Planet-Haumea-With-Rings-Artists-View-750x422.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Dwarf-Planet-Haumea-With-Rings-Artists-View-598x336.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Dwarf-Planet-Haumea-With-Rings-Artists-View-768x432.jpg 768w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Dwarf-Planet-Haumea-With-Rings-Artists-View.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9255 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9255\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Dwarf-Planet-Haumea-With-Rings-Artists-View.jpg\" alt=\"Dwarf Planet Haumea With Rings Artists View\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Dwarf-Planet-Haumea-With-Rings-Artists-View.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Dwarf-Planet-Haumea-With-Rings-Artists-View-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Dwarf-Planet-Haumea-With-Rings-Artists-View-750x422.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Dwarf-Planet-Haumea-With-Rings-Artists-View-598x336.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Dwarf-Planet-Haumea-With-Rings-Artists-View-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9255\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">An artist\u2019s view of dwarf planet Haumea with rings. Image by Kevin Gill. License: CC BY 2.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Haumea is a dwarf planet located in the outer reaches of our solar system, in the region known as the Kuiper Belt. It is the third-largest known trans-Neptunian object, after Eris and Pluto. Haumea is an elongated and relatively fast-spinning object, with an oblong shape resembling a rugby ball or elongated potato. Its shape is believed to be the result of a high rotational speed of only 3.9 hours. A ring around Haumea has also been discovered, making it the only known TNO with rings.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_21_Comet_12PPons-Brooks_at_perihelion\"\/>April 21: Comet 12P\/Pons-Brooks at perihelion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The comet 12P\/Pons-Brooks will reach perihelion, meaning it will reach the closest point in its orbit to the Sun at a distance of 0.78 AU. It will have an apparent magnitude of 4.6, so a standard pair of binoculars should suffice to observe this comet. Look in the constellation of Taurus. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades.)<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10438\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10438\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Comet 12P\/Pons-Brooks\" width=\"800\" height=\"524\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Comet-Pons-Brooks.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Comet-Pons-Brooks-640x419.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Comet-Pons-Brooks-750x491.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Comet-Pons-Brooks-598x392.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Comet-Pons-Brooks-768x503.jpg 768w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Comet-Pons-Brooks.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10438 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10438\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Comet-Pons-Brooks.jpg\" alt=\"Comet 12P\/Pons-Brooks\" width=\"800\" height=\"524\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Comet-Pons-Brooks.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Comet-Pons-Brooks-640x419.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Comet-Pons-Brooks-750x491.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Comet-Pons-Brooks-598x392.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Comet-Pons-Brooks-768x503.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10438\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Comet 12P\/Pons-Brooks photographed on 7 March 2024.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Comet 12P\/Pons-Brooks, is a periodic Halley-type comet in our solar system with an orbital period of about 71 years. It was independently discovered by Jean-Louis Pons in 1812, and by William Robert Brooks in 1883.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_22_Lyrid_meteor_shower_peak\"\/>April 22: Lyrid meteor shower peak<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Lyrids will peak this April 2024 with a zenithal hourly rate of 18 meteors if stargazing conditions are optimal. Unfortunately the Moon will interfere with observations as it will be a 14 days old waxing gibbous at 98%, close to full moon.<\/p>\n<p>Some meteors may also be spotted between April 16 and April 25. They will radiate from the constellation of Lyra but near Hercules, at the speed of 49 km\/s on average.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9258\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9258\" style=\"width: 835px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Lyra Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"835\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Lyra-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 835w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Lyra-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x589.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Lyra-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x690.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Lyra-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x550.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Lyra-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x706.jpg 768w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Lyra-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 835px) 100vw, 835px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9258 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9258\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Lyra-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Lyra Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"835\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Lyra-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 835w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Lyra-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x589.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Lyra-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x690.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Lyra-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x550.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Lyra-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x706.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 835px) 100vw, 835px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9258\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lyra Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_23_Pinwheel_Galaxy_at_its_highest_point_in_the_sky\"\/>April 23: Pinwheel Galaxy at its highest point in the sky<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Pinwheel Galaxy, also known as Messier 101 (M101) or NGC 5457, is a beautiful face-on spiral galaxy located 21 million light-years away in the constellation of Ursa Major.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10441\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10441\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pinwheel Galaxy M101\" width=\"800\" height=\"625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Pinwheel-Galaxy-M101.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Pinwheel-Galaxy-M101-640x500.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Pinwheel-Galaxy-M101-750x586.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Pinwheel-Galaxy-M101-598x467.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Pinwheel-Galaxy-M101-768x600.jpg 768w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Pinwheel-Galaxy-M101.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10441 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10441\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Pinwheel-Galaxy-M101.jpg\" alt=\"Pinwheel Galaxy M101\" width=\"800\" height=\"625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Pinwheel-Galaxy-M101.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Pinwheel-Galaxy-M101-640x500.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Pinwheel-Galaxy-M101-750x586.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Pinwheel-Galaxy-M101-598x467.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Pinwheel-Galaxy-M101-768x600.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10441\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pinwheel Galaxy (Messier 101 or NGC 5457). Credit: ESA\/Hubble. License: CC BY 4.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The galaxy will reach its highest point in the sky at around midnight local time. It will reach apparent magnitude 7.9, which you\u2019ll need a telescope for optimal viewing. The Moon will be very close to a full moon (99%) at 15 days old waxing gibbous.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10442\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10442\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Ursa Major Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"800\" height=\"694\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Ursa-Major-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Ursa-Major-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x555.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Ursa-Major-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x651.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Ursa-Major-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x519.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Ursa-Major-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x666.jpg 768w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Ursa-Major-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10442 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10442\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Ursa-Major-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg\" alt=\"Ursa Major Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"800\" height=\"694\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Ursa-Major-Constellation-Map-IAU.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Ursa-Major-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x555.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Ursa-Major-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x651.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Ursa-Major-Constellation-Map-IAU-598x519.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Ursa-Major-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x666.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10442\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ursa Major Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_23_%CF%80-Puppid_meteor_shower_peak\"\/>April 23:\u00a0\u03c0-Puppid meteor shower peak<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The Pi Puppids are a small variable meteor shower. The future of this shower is uncertain since Jupiter perturbed the orbit of the parent comet in 1999. The meteors from this shower originate from the comet 26P\/Grigg-Skjellerup, which now orbits further out from Earth.<\/p>\n<p>Some meteors may also be spotted between April 15 and April 28. They will radiate from the constellation of Puppis at the speed of 18 km\/s on average.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9259\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9259\" style=\"width: 795px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Puppis Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"795\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Puppis-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg 795w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Puppis-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x805.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Puppis-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x944.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Puppis-Constellation-Map-IAU-475x598.jpg 475w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Puppis-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x966.jpg 768w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Puppis-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 795px) 100vw, 795px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9259 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9259\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Puppis-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Puppis Constellation Map IAU\" width=\"795\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Puppis-Constellation-Map-IAU-scaled.jpg 795w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Puppis-Constellation-Map-IAU-640x805.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Puppis-Constellation-Map-IAU-750x944.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Puppis-Constellation-Map-IAU-475x598.jpg 475w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/04\/Puppis-Constellation-Map-IAU-768x966.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 795px) 100vw, 795px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9259\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Puppis Constellation Map. Credit: IAU and Sky &amp; Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott &amp; Rick Fienberg). License: CC BY 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_23_Conjunction_of_Mars_and_Neptune\"\/>April 23: Conjunction of Mars and Neptune<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>Mars and Neptune will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 2\u201914\u201d of each other.<\/p>\n<p>At around the same time the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 2.1 arcminutes from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.<\/p>\n<p>The two planets will meet in the constellation of Pisces with an apparent magnitude of 1.1 for Mars and 7.9 for Neptune. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of Venus and Neptune.) The Moon will be 21 days old waning gibbous at 69%.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Moon_Phases_in_April_2024\"\/>Moon Phases in April 2024<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>As you know, the Moon has a big impact on the visibility of celestial bodies and astronomical events in the night sky. So to help you with stargazing, here\u2019s a calendar of the phases of Moon for this month of April 2024:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10444\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10444\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Moon Phase Calendar April 2024\" width=\"800\" height=\"567\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-April-2024.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-April-2024-640x453.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-April-2024-750x531.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-April-2024-598x424.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-April-2024-768x544.jpg 768w\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-April-2024.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10444 lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10444\" src=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-April-2024.jpg\" alt=\"Moon Phase Calendar April 2024\" width=\"800\" height=\"567\" srcset=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-April-2024.jpg 800w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-April-2024-640x453.jpg 640w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-April-2024-750x531.jpg 750w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-April-2024-598x424.jpg 598w, https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Moon-Phase-Calendar-April-2024-768x544.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10444\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">April 2024 Moon phases calendar. Credit: Astronomy Club of Akron.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Positions_of_the_Planets_in_April_2024\"\/>Positions of the Planets in April 2024<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Mercury:<\/strong> The closest planet to the Sun can be seen at dawn and dusk travelling across the constellation of Pisces. This planet, being the closest to the Sun, will appear to move quickly in the night sky and its position will change in the following weeks.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Venus:<\/strong> The sister planet can be seen travelling across the constellation of Aquarius and then Pisces. Just like Mercury, Venus can only be seen at dawn and dusk.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mars:<\/strong> The red planet can be seen in the constellation of Aquarius and then Pisces.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jupiter:<\/strong>\u00a0The gas giant is visible in the constellation of Aries. Jupiter can easily be spotted with the naked eye, even in highly illuminated cities.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Saturn:<\/strong>\u00a0The ringed giant can be seen with the naked eye in the constellation of Aquarius.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Uranus:<\/strong>\u00a0The ice giant can be seen in the constellation of Aries with the use of a telescope.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Neptune:<\/strong> The blue giant requires a telescope pointed in the constellation of Pisces in order to be seen.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Positions_of_Dwarf_Planets_and_Large_Asteroids_in_April_2024\"\/>Positions of Dwarf Planets and Large Asteroids in April 2024<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Ceres:<\/strong>\u00a0The\u00a0asteroid belt\u2019s lone dwarf planet can be seen in the constellation of Sagittarius with the help of a telescope.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Vesta:<\/strong> This large asteroid can be seen in the constellation of Taurus with a telescope.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pallas:<\/strong> The asteroid can be observed with a telescope in the constellation of Hercules.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pluto:<\/strong> This distant dwarf planet can be found in the constellation of Capricornus with the help of a large telescope.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Major_astronomical_events_next_month_%E2%80%93_May_2024\"\/>Major astronomical events next month \u2013 May 2024<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>May 5: \u03b7-Aquariid meteor shower peak.<\/li>\n<li>May 8: \u03b7-Lyrid meteor shower peak.<\/li>\n<li>May 17: Asteroid 2 Pallas at opposition.<\/li>\n<li>May 19: Comet 46P\/Wirtanen at perihelion.<\/li>\n<li>May 31: \u03c4 Herculid meteor shower peak.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"\/>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>In short, this month promises an array of celestial wonders, including a total solar eclipse, the Lyrid meteor shower, and the perihelion of Comet 12P\/Pons-Brooks. Don\u2019t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity for unforgettable stargazing experiences this April 2024.<\/p>\n<p>So, mark your calendars and don\u2019t forget to subscribe to our newsletter below to receive our stargazing calendar in your mailbox. Happy stargazing!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>See also:<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"342c8a430808ee5770f45cb96cddd88b\" data-index=\"1\" style=\"float: none; margin:10px 0 10px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<h5 align=\"left\">Would you like to receive similar articles by email?<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/astroblog.cosmobc.com\/stargazing-calendar-april-2024\/?rand=773801\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sombrero Galaxy (M104 or NGC 4594). A mosaic of six images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope\u2019s Advanced Camera for Surveys in May and June 2003. Credit: NASA\/ESA and The&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":779948,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-779947","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-astroblog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/779947","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=779947"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/779947\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/779948"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=779947"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=779947"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=779947"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}