This Week’s Sky at a Glance, April 1 – April 8 ~by Curt Nason
Around 1930 the International Astronomical Union finalized the official constellations and their boundaries to cover the entire sky. Oddly, 22 of those 88 constellations begin with the letter “C.” Around 9 pm we can see 11 of those and parts of three others, so rather than deep sea fishing let’s go high C hunting. Starting in the west we might catch the head of Cetus the Whale before it sets, and toward the south Columba the Dove hugs the horizon. Meanwhile, Cygnus the Swan flaps a wing above the northern horizon for it never sets completely for us.
Higher in the north the house of Cepheus the King is upright for a change. To his west we see the W-shape of his wife, Cassiopeia the Queen, and above them we might have to strain to see Camelopardalis the Giraffe. Looking southwest, to the left of Orion are his faithful big and little dogs Canis Major and Canis Minor. Barely visible above the little dog is Cancer the Crab, nestled nicely between Gemini and Leo. In the southeast we have Corvus the Crow and Crater the Cup, both of which piggyback on the Hydra. Tailing Leo high in the east is Coma Berenices, the locks of distressed Queen Berenice II of Egypt, and dogging Ursa Major is Canes Venatici the Hunting Dogs. Finally, lower in the east, we see the Northern Crown, Corona Borealis.
This episode of Sky at a Glance was brought to you by the letter C and the number 14. As you find each C constellation, count out loud like the Count (One! That’s one C constellation, ah ha ha!), and for each one you find you can reward yourself with … COOKIE!
This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 6:58 am and sunset will occur at 7:48 pm, giving 12 hours, 50 minutes of daylight (7:04 am and 7:52 pm in Saint John). Next Saturday the Sun will rise at 6:45 am and set at 7:56 pm, giving 13 hours, 11 minutes of daylight (6:51 am and 8:01 pm in Saint John).
The Moon is at first quarter on Monday. Use a scope to see the Lunar X forming in the early evening, just inside the shadow below centre. The Moon is near Regulus in Leo on Thursday. Mercury is at its best evening viewing for the year, reaching its greatest elongation from the Sun on April 1 when it sets 1 hour 45 minutes after sunset. Mars will be 15 degrees to its upper left. Jupiter is at opposition, rising at sunset, on April 7. If you are scoping out the Lunar X on Monday evening, swing over to Jupiter a little before 8:40 to see its moon Io disappear into the planet’s shadow. Venus can be seen before sunrise in the east, and look for Saturn above the spout of the Sagittarius Teapot. It is stationary on Thursday, beginning a four-month retrograde westward motion against the starry background.
The Saint John Astronomy Club meets at 7 pm on April 1 at the Rockwood Park Interpretation Centre. All are welcome.
Questions? You can contact Curt Nason here.