By Heather Durham | March 30, 2024
I have developed a deep appreciation for astronomy. The vastness and beauty of the cosmos never cease to amaze me. From the intricate dance of planets in our solar system to the distant galaxies that sparkle like jewels in the night sky, every aspect of astronomy fills me with awe. I am captivated by the scientific discoveries that have expanded our understanding of the universe, from the groundbreaking theories of relativity and quantum mechanics to the recent detection of gravitational waves. Astronomy has taught me to marvel at the incredible complexity and elegance of the natural world, and to appreciate the dedication and ingenuity of the scientists who have devoted their lives to unraveling its mysteries. Through my study of astronomy, I have come to see the universe as a vast and wondrous tapestry, woven together by the fundamental laws of physics and the endless creativity of nature.
April 1. Last quarter of the full Worm Moon.
On April 1st, the moon will be in its last quarter phase, meaning that half of the moon’s illuminated surface will be visible from Earth. The last quarter moon rises around midnight and sets around noon, making it visible in the early morning hours. This phase is also known as the “half moon” because it appears as a half circle in the sky.
April 5. Conjunction of our Moon and Mars.
A conjunction occurs when two celestial objects appear close to each other in the sky. On April 5th, the moon and Mars will be in conjunction, meaning they will appear near each other in the night sky. Look for the moon and a bright, reddish object close by – that will be Mars.
April 6. Close approach of our Moon and Mars.
The close approach of the moon and Mars is similar to the conjunction, but it refers to the moment when the two objects are at their closest distance from each other in the sky. On April 6th, the moon and Mars will be at their closest approach, offering a great opportunity to observe both objects in the same field of view with a pair of binoculars or a telescope.
April 8. The total solar eclipse
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, completely blocking out the sun’s light. On April 8th, a total solar eclipse will be visible from parts of North and Central America, including Mexico, the United States, and Canada. However, this eclipse will not be visible from New Hampshire. Instead, a partial solar eclipse will be observable, where the moon covers only a portion of the sun’s disk. Remember to use proper eye protection when viewing any solar eclipse.
New moon also. The new moon occurs when the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, with its unilluminated side facing Earth. As a result, the moon is not visible in the night sky during this phase. The new moon is a good time for stargazing, as the absence of moonlight allows for better visibility of fainter stars and deep-sky objects.
April 10. Close approach of Saturn and Mars. Conjunction of Moon and Jupiter. Conjunction of Saturn and Mars.
On April 10th, there will be several interesting astronomical events. Saturn and Mars will be at their closest approach to each other, appearing near each other in the sky. Additionally, the moon will be in conjunction with Jupiter, meaning they will appear close together. Lastly, Saturn and Mars will also be in conjunction, making it a great night to observe all three objects in the same area of the sky.
April 11. Close approach of the Moon and M45.
M45, also known as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters, is an open star cluster in the constellation Taurus. On April 11th, the moon will be at its closest approach to M45, making it a great time to observe the cluster with the naked eye or binoculars. The Pleiades are visible as a small group of stars that resemble a miniature version of the Big Dipper.
April 15. Pink Moon at first quarter.
On April 15th, the moon will be in its first quarter phase, meaning that half of the moon’s illuminated surface will be visible from Earth. The first quarter moon is visible in the afternoon and evening sky, setting around midnight. This phase is also known as the “half moon” because it appears as a half circle in the sky.
April 22. Lyrid meteor shower 2024.
The Lyrid meteor shower is an annual event that occurs when the Earth passes through the debris trail left by the long-period Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. The shower peaks on April 22nd, with an expected rate of around 15-20 meteors per hour under dark sky conditions. The Lyrids appear to radiate from the constellation Lyra, which rises in the northeast during the evening hours.
April 23. π-Puppid meteor shower 2024. Full Pink Moon.
The π-Puppid meteor shower is a lesser-known meteor shower that also peaks on April 23rd. This shower is produced by debris from the periodic Comet 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup and typically has a lower rate of meteors compared to the Lyrids. The π-Puppids appear to radiate from the constellation Puppis, which is visible in the southern sky during the evening hours.
Also on April 23rd, the moon will be in its full phase, meaning that the entire illuminated surface of the moon will be visible from Earth. The full moon rises in the east around sunset and sets in the west around sunrise. While the full moon is beautiful to observe, its bright light can make it more difficult to view the fainter meteors associated with the Lyrid and π-Puppid meteor showers.
References:
Ford, D.F. (March 15, 2024). March 2024. In-The-Sky.org. Retrieved from in-the-sky.org/newscal.php?month=2&year=2024%maxdiff=1#datesel
Milton Observer 