http://simonjastronomy.blogspot.com/2017/03/comet-alert-41ptuttle-giacobini-kresak.html
Jupiter will reach opposition on April 7 and be at its brightest and biggest. Even a pair of binoculars will resolve its four Galilean Moons. Look toward the southeast and watch it track across the southern sky throughout the evening!
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Apr 1 | Mercury at greatest elongation East (19°) |
| Apr 1 | Aldebaran 0.3°S of Moon |
| Apr 1 | Comet 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak at brightest |
| Apr 3 | First Quarter |
| Apr 5 | Saturn stationary |
| Apr 6 | Regulus 0.7°N of Moon |
| Apr 7 | Jupiter at opposition |
This week will be the best time to see Mercury in the evening of 2017. Mercury will be quite high on the western horizon after sunset and will seem to be the brightest object in the sky besides the Moon.
There will be two conjunctions of the Moon with two ecliptic stars -- Aldebaran and Regulus. Saturn will begin its retrograde motion on April 5 and start cruising West compared to the background stars. The planet will still rise quite late close to 3am but by the end of the month it will be up before 1am.
 |
| Saturn |
The first quarter Moon will be up in the constellation of Cancer on the 3rd of April. Unfortunately this pollutes the constellation with light and eliminates a good look at the Beehive Cluster. However, the first quarter Moon is typically the best time to view our closest celestial neighbour. The terminator goes through some interesting features that can be resolved in basic binoculars, and the seas with your naked eye.
Clear April skies are wonderful for viewing the stars. It is warm enough to stay outside for an extended period of time yet still cool enough the bugs have not made their way to the land of the living.
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