Of the five bright planets with the naked eye, the two that are best for viewing in April are in the evening sky. Amazing Venuslow west-northwest about two hours after sunset, and bright Jupiterwhich flies high in the south-southwest at dusk and remains visible until after midnight, accompanied by the “Twin Stars” of Gemini Twins, Pollux and Castor.
In our program, remember that when measuring the angular separation between two celestial bodies, your sealed fist held at arm’s length is about 10 degrees. Here, we present an outline below that provides some of the best times to view the planet, as well as direct you where to look to see them.
Mercury
Mercury is at its greatest elevation in the west on April 3rd. But even at a distance of 28 degrees from the sun as viewed from mid-northern latitude, most of this area is directly distant. day‘s well, putting the planet down too high. This +0.3-size the planet rises less than an hour before sunrise, and shortly after it reaches the surface, it may be found in binoculars about 10 degrees south of due east. Only from the southernmost countries can the planet be seen with the naked eye. The best view of Mercury in this view is from the Southern Hemisphere. Around the middle of the month, Mercury will be close to Mars and Saturn (see “Mars” below).
Venus
Venus i it is considered a “sister planet” because it is the same size and rises slightly each week in April. It’s still small and round in telescopes this month, but from early April to early September, Venus will be at least 10 degrees above sea level 45 minutes after sunset (although it’s never really high), and during that time, we’ll see its disk grow and enter its lunar phase.
On the evening of April 18, just after sunset, look down to the west-northwest to see a 1½-day thin moon, only 4% illuminated. And in the upper left corner is the steady, bright light of Venus. On the evening of April 23, Venus makes its closest approach to Pleiades the constellation, passing about 3½ degrees to the lower left, makes a good view in binoculars. And that evening, Venus passes only three degrees to the right of the sixth magnitude. Uranus; the close approach will serve as an ideal opportunity to get to know this green world with a small telescope or binoculars without the need to consult a sky map.
Mars
Mars it is in the same position as Mercury and Saturn and increases its longitude to 24 degrees west of the sun at the end of the month. But at magnitude +1.2, it will be the hardest of the three morning planets to find on a bright evening.
On what day will Mars be first visible to the naked eye? Since the length of the planet is increasing slowly, it is difficult to say the answer, but the observers of the southern countries will soon succeed. On the morning of April 16, observers near the tropics will be treated to the first sunrise group of Saturn, Mercury, Mars and a narrow moon. The farther south you are, the higher these four things will be. Search with binoculars before sunrise.
Jupiter
Jupiter, after Venus, it is the first star-like object to appear in the twilight, shining high in the west throughout most of this month, with the two main stars of Gemini, Pollux and Castorwhich floats further above it. This, the largest of all the planets, gives telescope users a good view for several hours after sunset. On the evening of April 22, the full moon will appear about 3 degrees above and to the right of Jupiter.
Saturn
Saturn at magnitude +0.9, finally begins to appear behind the sun at the end of the April glow. When the moon ends, it appears in front of the sun for about an hour, but you will still have to look very low in the east to see it briefly before it is covered by the bright sky. Around the middle of the month, Saturn will be close to Mars and Mercury (see “Mars” above).
If you’re looking for a telescope or binoculars to view the night sky, our guides to the best binoculars prices and the best binoculars prices can help. Our selection of the best astronomy cameras and the best astronomy lenses can help you get ready to capture your next amazing sky-watching experience.
Joe Rao works as a lecturer and guest lecturer in New York’s Hayden Planetarium. He writes about astrology for Magazine of Natural History, The Sky and the Telescope, Old Farmer’s Almanac and other articles.
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