Each Monday, I pick out North America’s celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the northern hemisphere), but be sure to check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more.
The Night Sky This Week: April 15-21, 2024
April is an excellent time to go stargazing, not least because the bright stars of winter—such as those in Orion, Gemini and Taurus—are visible in the west. They’ll soon be gone from the sky, so grab a look while you can. Underneath them, closer to the horizon, is not only Jupiter but a passing comet, 12/P Pons-Brooks, which this week will reach its brightest.
Here’s everything you need to know about stargazing and astronomy this week:
Monday, April 15: First Quarter Moon In Gemini
Today, our natural satellite in space reaches its First Quarter stage, when it appears to be half-lit as seen from the surface of Earth. Look south to see the half-lit moon and get just 1.5 degrees from the bright star Pollux in Gemini. Above will be Castor, the other of the “twins” of Gemini. Pollux and Castor are 52 and 34 light-years from the solar system, respectively, and the 46th and 17th brightest stars in the night sky.
Thursday, April 18: Moon And Regulus
A waxing gibbous moon, 80% illuminated, will shine 3.6 degrees from Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo after dark in the eastern night sky. Regulus—which means “star of the Lion’s breast”—is the 21st brightest star in the night sky.
Saturday, April 20: Jupiter And Uranus In Conjunction
Today, the giant planet and the “bulls-eye planet” will appear to be meeting, and there will be just 30 arc minutes between them. You’ll need at least binoculars to see tiny vertical-ringed Uranus, which will be a whopping 1,500 times dimmer. Comet Pons-Brooks will be very close by.
Sunday, April 21: Comet Pons-Brooks Brightest
The twelfth comet ever found and around the same size as Halley’s Comet, Pons-Brooks has been visible in the west right after dark all month. It’s now sinking down into the horizon, but tonight, it’s as bright as it will get. You’ll need a clear sky, a view low to the southwest and a pair of binoculars.
Constellation Of The Week: Leo
Now rising after sunset in the east is Leo, easily seen for its cluster of bright stars that appear to make the shape of a lion. First, find Regulus at one of the animal’s front paws and, second, Denebola at the end of its tail. Both are relatively close to our sun—Regulus at 79 light years and Denebola at 36 light years.
When you’re looking at Leo, you’re seeing outside of the Milky Way and into deep space. Between the two are the M96 (or “Leo I Group”) of galaxies, a cluster of about nine galaxies about 30 million light-years from Earth.
Star Of The Week: Wolf 359
In the constellation of Leo is Wolf 359, a red dwarf star that’s one of the closest stars to us at just 7.9 light years. Since it’s so close, it is one of the few stars that appears to change position with regard to the background stars.
The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium and The Sky Live. Check planet-rise/planet-set, sunrise/sunset and moonrise/moonset times for where you are.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
