Moon Phase:
New Moon 1st
First Quarter 9th
Full Moon 17th
Last Quarter 23rd
Planets:
Evening Sky
There are no planets visible to the unaided eye in the evening sky this month.
Morning Sky
Venus is in the eastern morning sky starting the month in the constellation Capricornus. The planets Mars and Saturn are above and slightly to the south (right) of the brilliantly shining planet. Venus then starts to move towards the eastern horizon, moving into Aquarius where it will have a close conjunction with Neptune on the 29th.On the 30th, Venus moves into Pisces approaching Jupiter for their close encounter early next month.
Mars starts the month in the eastern morning sky in the constellation Capricornus. It then follows Venus towards the eastern horizon, moving into Aquarius on the 12th. Mars will be close to Saturn on the 5th and 6th.
Jupiter is in the eastern morning sky starting the month in the constellation Aquarius. On the 15t the gas giant moves into Pisces heading for its rendezvous with Venus early next month.
Saturn is in the eastern morning sky in the constellation Capricornus where it remains for the month. On the 5th and 6th, it has a close encounter with the red planet, Mars.
Worth a Look:
5th & 6th: Mars and Saturn are within half a degree of each other. Both planets are the almost the same magnitude, however Mars’ distinctive red-orange tinge will make it easy to distinguish from the ringed planet.
25th, 26th, 27th & 28th: The waning crescent Moon on the 25th is slightly above and to the east (right) of Saturn and below are the planets Mars, with Venus and Jupiter closer to the horizon. On the 26th, the Moon will be slightly above and to the east (right) of Mars. On the 27th, the Moon will be slightly above and to the east (right) of Venus and on the 28th, the Moon will be below and to the east (right) of Jupiter. All four mornings provide a great opportunity for widefield photographers.
You can download a star map for April here.
Clear Skies!
References:
Dawes G., Northfield P., Wallace K. (2020). Astronomy 2022 Australia, Quasar Publishing.
Lomb, N. (2021). 2022 Australasian sky guide. Ultimo, NSW: Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences Media.
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