Skywatch Line for Monday and Tuesday, April 14th and 15th written by Joe Slomka
This is the Skywatch Line for Monday and Tuesday, April 14th and 15th written by Joe Slomka.
The Sun sets at 7:37 PM; night falls at 9:19. Dawn breaks at 4:31 AM and ends with sunrise at 6:13.
The Moon shines in Libra on both nights. Monday’s Moon sets at 6:30 AM, rises in the southeast at 9:41 PM, appears 29 arc-seconds, and 96% lit. Tuesday’s Moon sets in the southwest at 7:04 AM, rises at 11:46 PM, appears 29 arc-seconds, 95% lit, and sets at 7:35 AM Wednesday.
Planets are slowly returning. Taurus is shared by Uranus and Jupiter. Western Uranus is first, but close to the western horizon; it rose at 7:41 AM, highest at 2:54 PM, shines with 5th magnitude, appears 3 arc-seconds in size, 11° high at 9PM and sets at 10:06 PM.
Southwestern Jupiter follows, rising at 9AM, shining with minus 2nd magnitude, appears 35 arc-seconds, highest at 4:30 PM and sets at Midnight.
Mars inhabits southeastern Cancer; continuing to fade, it glows with first magnitude, appears 7 arc-seconds, rises at 11:55 AM, 7:26 pm highest, 62° high at 9 PM and sets at 2:59 AM.
Venus peeks in at 4:50 AM Tuesday; appears 30° from the eastern horizon, blazes with minus 4th magnitude, appears 47 arc-seconds, highest at 10:56 AM and sets at 7:01 PM.
Mercury, Saturn and Neptune are still out of view, but will be visible soon.
As in last week, Asteroid Vesta in Libra, provides new sights for observers. Vesta rises at 9:45 PM, shines with 6th magnitude, appears a half arc-second, 99% illuminated, highest 17° in the South and 41° high and sets at 9:14 AM.
Another gift to observers is a new comet: Comet Swan. It was discovered on March 29th by Vladimir Beczugly of Ukraine and Australia’s Michael Attiazzo and quickly spread the word. Its official name is C/2025 F2; it travels 1.7° per day and is ideal for observers at Dawn. After a short break, SWAN shifts to evening, where it may be even brighter, but lower. On April 4th, it was 8th magnitude; Sky and Telescope magazine said a 6inch telescope would easily see it. For local observers, on April 14-16 it is low on the east-northeast near Alpheratz. Dawn begins about an 1hour 40-minute, Sky and Telescope has more details and updates.
Clear skies, Joe Slomka