THE SOUTHWORTH PLANETARIUM
70 Falmouth Street Portland, Maine 04103
(207) 780-4249 usm.maine.edu/planet
43.6667° N 70.2667° W
Founded January 1970 2022-2023: LXXXVII
Sunrise: 5:44 a.m.
Sunset: 7:35 p.m.
Civil twilight begins: 5:13 a.m.
Civil twilight ends: 8:06 p.m.
Sun's host constellation: Aries the Ram
Moon phase: Waxing crescent (20% illuminated)
Moonrise: 8:17 a.m.
Moonset: 12:53 (4/24/23)
Julian date: 2460059.29
"Opinion is the medium between ignorance and knowledge."
-Plato
THE DAILY ASTRONOMER
Monday, April 24, 2023
April 2023 Night Sky Calendar Part III
MONDAY, APRIL 23, 2023: LYRID METEOR SHOWER PEAKS
Were it not for the broad banks of pitch-black clouds lying inertly over us like a disillusioned politician in a flop house, conditions would have been quite favorable for this year's Lyrid peak. The moon was new on the 20th and is currently passing through the waxing crescent phase (20% illuminated). Consequently, the lunar light interference would have been minimal at night's beginning and nonexistent just after midnight, the optimal time for meteor shower observations. Alas... This prominent spring shower will produce 10 - 30 meteors an hour tonight and will appear to emanate from the region around Lyra the Harp, hence the name.
The Lyrid's parent comet C/1861 Thatcher was last at perihelion, its closest point to the Sun, in 1861 and is not due to revisit the inner solar system until around 2280. Since very few of us will loiter around the coil long enough to witness C/1861 Thatcher's eventual return, we can at least observe its fragments burning into oblivion in our skies.
Unlike many prominent showers that extend for weeks, the Lyrid shower is active only between April 16 - 25. Unfortunately, as the cloud cover is not expected to dissipate until mid to late week, we will likely miss these 'sparks from the harp.' Be consoled, however, as meteors appear on average every 6 - 10 minutes on any given night.
MONDAY, APRIL 23: MOON NEAR VENUS
Of all the sky's many beguiling sights, few surpass the loveliness of the moon and Venus when seen in 'close' approach. Tonight, one will see the waxing crescent moon (20% illuminated) passing just to the north of Venus, the brightest of all nocturnal worlds, apart, of course, from the moon. We would have strongly encouraged you to venture outside to admire Luna and Aphrodite had it not been for those aforementioned clouds.
THURSDAY, APRIL 26: MOON NEAR MARS
Tonight one will see the waxing crescent moon (37% illuminated) passing north of Mars. Although Mars, at magnitude 1.3, appears 131 times dimmer than Venus (magnitude -4.0), the fourth sphere is distinct because of the reddish hue produced by its surface of ferrous oxide, better known to us weather-beaten mortals as rust. However, if you're experiencing difficulty finding Mars amidst the stars of Gemini, you can use the moon to locate it tonight. Simply find the moderately bright point just south of the crescent moon.
FRIDAY, APRIL 27: FIRST QUARTER MOON
PLANET WATCH
MERCURY
Mercury spotting is not a sport for the faint of heart. This elusive little world always nestles close to the Sun and is difficult to spot on most nights. Mercury was easier to see earlier this month in the western evening sky as it reached greatest eastern elongation on April 9th. However, Mercury will pass into inferior solar conjunction on May 1st and so by the last week in April will be out of our view. VERDICT: Don't bother looking for Mercury until later in May when it appears in the eastern pre-dawn sky.
VENUS (PICK PLANET)
A perfect time for Venus' legions of fawning admirers. Our sister world looms high in the western evening sky tonight. In fact, Venus will be a brilliant evening sky beacon throughout the remainder of spring and into the summer. VERDICT: All you need to do is step outside in the early evening and look for the blazing orb in the western sky.
MARS
We'll see Mars in the western evening sky throughout both the spring, summer and early autumn. However, it won't dazzle us like Venus. Musksphere currently shines at magnitude 1.3, slightly brighter than Regulus, the brightest star in Leo the Lion. VERDICT: Although Mars won't twist your ear, yank your lapel and demand your undivided attention as Venus does, it will still be noticeable and, we must admit, worth a second look.
JUPITER
The behemoth planet is out of range all month. It passed along the far side of the Sun (superior solar conjunction) on April 11th and will emerge in the eastern pre-dawn sky by mid-May. VERDICT: If you must see Jupiter, wait until late May at the earliest. Take heart, however. Jupiter will rise into prominence in the summer and autumn sky. It will reach opposition on November 3rd.
SATURN
The sixth world remains by itself in the eastern early morning sky this month. (Mercury and Jupiter will join it in May.) At magnitude 1.0, Saturn is nearly as bright as Antares, the brightest star in Scorpius the Scorpion. VERDICT: Yes, if you're up and about before sunrise, be sure to snatch a glimpse of Saturn in the south eastern sky. This world will become brighter throughout spring and most of the summer as it approaches opposition on August 27th.
To subscribe or unsubscribe from the "Daily Astronomer"