In Depth |
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April is a time of transition in the sky for
mid-northern latitude observers; the winter
milky way constellations are setting earlier
now, gradually giving way to the darker,
emptier regions rising higher in the east.
Each offers it's own charm: the milky way, our
own galaxy, offers nebulae and "open" star
clusters - the relative voids of the east, far
from the plane of our flat galaxy, offer us a
good look at more remote targets such as the
"globular" star clusters at the edge of our
galaxy, and indeed thousands of other galactic
systems far beyond.
Fortunately, we have access to both scenes this month; milky way areas in the earlier evening, and intergalactic depths later. I suggest that telescopic observers be sure to spend the first hours of darkness getting in their last looks for the year at the Orion nebula, the Pleiades and Hyades star clusters in Taurus, and the many star clusters of Auriga, Gemini, and Canis Major. These areas are well placed for families with younger children with bedtimes to worry about, and also the more casual amateur who worries about getting up for work!
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For the moderate telescope (about 8 inches aperture), Leo is among your first destinations for other galaxies, especially M65 and 66 which reside there. A second pair of galaxies, M81 and 82, are now well placed near the ears of Ursa Major in the north (our June edition will discuss these in detail). The post-midnight scene will offer countless more objects, but first let's turn to something everyone - youngster to professional - can enjoy at a convenient hour.
Our featured constellation this month is one of the winter hexagon patterns, just left of the center of the chart - the most arresting feature of this star group is the close association of two bright stars that appropriately suggests some kind of pairing, for this is Gemini, the heavenly twins.
To find out more about Gemini, click on our constellation feature heading.
Remember, planets are not shown on this chart - for information about them, see our Planets This Month section.
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