Solar System

Planets of the Month: APRIL

by Erich Karkoschka

planet-of-the-month-venusVenus is 40 degrees high at sunset and close to its brightest possible (Magnitude -4.5). After its passage through the Pleiades on the 3rd and 4th, it moves toward Alnath in Taurus. It is visible late into the evening and sets around 10:30 pm. By the end of the month, it is relatively large (39 arch seconds) and 25 % illuminated.

planet-of-the-month-moonOn April 15, the Last Quarter Moon joins the three morning planets in the predawn sky. On April 26, it is closest to brilliant Venus in the evening sky. First Quarter Moon is April 1 and 30, Full Moon April 7, Last Quarter April 14, and New Moon April 22.

planet-of-the-month-marsMars is the third planet to rise in the morning sky, following very close to Saturn at the beginning of April but sepertated by about 20 degrees by the end of the month. Mars is at Magnitude +1.

planet-of-the-month-jupiterJupiter rises at 2 am, dominating the morning sky at a magnitude of -2.

 

planet-of-the-month-saturnSaturn follows Jupiter and is 5 degrees to the east in the morning sky abut the same brightness as Mars at a magnitude of +1.