1 week Ago
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). Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more. The stars and constellations of spring may be dominating the night sky, but we’re about to lose them to a full moon.
Since it’s due to turn into a full pink moon this coming Saturday, take a moment each night to cast your eyes to the southeast sky in twilight to see a waxing gibbous moon gradually build in brightness, lightening the night sky as it does. Monday, April 7: Waxing Gibbous Moon In Leo Stellarium The constellation Leo is a classic spring constellation. If you can make out its sickle shape (which looks like a backward question mark), it’s impossible to miss whenever you’re outside at night.
Tonight, a 79%-illuminated waning crescent moon will shine high in the southeast, just in front of the lion, close to the bright star Regulus, also known as the heart of the lion. This blue-white star 77 light-years from our sun is one of the brightest in the April sky. Thursday, April 10: Three New ‘Belt Stars’ Align Stellarium The winter constellation of Orion may now be slumping into the western horizon after dark, but a temporary replacement for the three famous stars in Orion’s Belt has been building for months.
Buzzing around the two brightest stars in Gemini — Castor and Pollux — for months, the planet Mars will appear to align with them in a straight line tonight after dark. Saturday/Sunday, April 12/13: Full Pink Moon Stellarium April’s full moon, the pink moon, will rise in the east for North Americans during dusk on Saturday, April 12, in a monthly show of beauty unmatched in nature. Alongside it will be Spica in the constellation Virgo, unless you’re in South America, where this bright star will disappear behind the moon for a short time.
In Europe, the pink moon will be seen rising during dusk on Sunday, April 13. Many main religions use a lunar calendar, at least in part. This weekend’s full moon is also known as the Paschal moon, as its timing determines the date of Easter.
The rule of thumb is easy — Easter Sunday for Western Christianity falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox. For the Eastern Orthodox church, the rules are different — with the date of the Jewish festival of Passover decisive. It makes no difference this year — both will celebrate Easter Sunday on April 21.
The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium . Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
.
