Just a pretty photo of the sky
-BY JAMES EDGAR
Apr 18, 2023
Penumbral meaning the Moon barely enters Earth’s shadow, so the event is very difficult to discern. On the 7th, Antares is 1.5 degrees south of the Moon; on the 13th, Saturn is 3 degrees north; and on the 14th, Neptune is 2 degrees north. By the 17th, Jupiter meets up with the Moon in an occultation visible in most of North America. The Moon is new on the 19th. On the 23rd, first Venus, then Pollux, then Mars on the 24th, are in close proximity.
Mercury is mostly in front of the Sun for the first part of the month, weakly showing up around the middle of May.
Venus remains the brightest evening object, rising higher along the ecliptic until the 9th when it slowly begins its orbital descent. Also, on the 9th, Venus is 1.8 degrees north of the cluster M35. The Moon passes by on the 23rd.
Mars is visible in the western evening sky, but dimly. Watch for the gathering with Venus, the Moon, Castor, and Pollux on the 24th.
Jupiter appears in the eastern morning sky but low to the horizon. The Moon occults the bright gas-giant planet on the 17th. Mercury will be barely visible to the southeast of Jupiter–a tough sighting! Seven double-shadow events occur during the month: May 17; 20th; 22nd; 24th; 27th; 29th; and 31st. In addition, five double-shadow and satellite transits occur: May 17; 20th; 24th; 27th; and 31st.
Saturn rises at about 3 a.m., among the stars of Aquarius. About an hour or more later, it’s daylight, so the viewing window is quite short.
Uranus is too close to the Sun to be seen.
Neptune is in Pisces, and much the same as Saturn–rising well after midnight and disappearing in the morning twilight.
The ETA Aquariid meteors peak on the early morning of May 6.
James Edgar has had an interest in the night sky all his life. He joined The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 2000, was National President for two terms, is now the Editor of the renowned Observer’s Handbook, and Production Manager of the bi-monthly RASC Journal. The IAU named asteroid 1995 XC5 “(22421) Jamesedgar” in his honour and in 2021 he was awarded a Fellowship of the RASC.
