THE SOUTHWORTH PLANETARIUM
70 Falmouth Street Portland, Maine 04103
(207) 780-4249 usm.maine.edu/planet
43.6667° N 70.2667° W
Altitude: 10 feet below sea level
Founded January 1970
2021-2022: CXII
"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this." -Anonymous
THE DAILY ASTRONOMER
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Morning Alignment
So, we found ourselves in something of a temporal quandary. First, the next DA is scheduled to post on Tuesday April 26th, hence the date.
However, we needed to mention this weekend's planetary alignment which, of course, precedes April 26th. The solution was simple: propel the Tuesday DA back in time so as to make it arrive before the weekend alignment while still retaining the Tuesday time signature: a highly complex causality violating task that twisted the synapses like cotton candy filaments.
Every so often, the best of the night sky is visible in the morning. Venture out this weekend and you'll see four planets! Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter!
Rising first around 3:20 a.m. is Saturn, followed about half an hour later by Mars. Venus ascends above the eastern horizon by 4:20 a.m. Jupiter then follows just after 4:30 a.m.
The best time to observe the eastern sky will be between 4:45 - 5:15 a.m. when all the planets will be readily visible above the horizon. Once civil twilight begins at 5:15 a.m. the dimmer planets (Mars and Saturn) will quickly fade from sight.
At magnitude -4.0, Venus will be the brightest of all the planets, followed by Jupiter (magnitude -1.9) then Saturn and Mars, both of which shine at magnitude 0.9. Even though these two superior planets appear equally bright, Mars exudes a distinct reddish glow.
Starting on April 25th, the waning crescent moon will join the gathering: five solar system worlds on full display. So, even if you can't leave the enveloping comfort of a blanket laden bed so beautiful in both form and function it seems as though it was crafted out of quintessence itself this weekend, you'll have an opportunity to see the planets and moon early next week.
As such alignments are not common events, we strongly encourage you to awaken before sunrise to admire this procession of planets parading above the eastern horizon.
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