
Sunday, April 1
12 a.m. (midnight)
Julian day = 2,454,922.708
Moon
Wednesday, April 1
12 a.m. (midnight)
Julian day = 2,454,922.708
Moon
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location):
Start on the horizon at the western sky (compass direction = 270˚)
and use the “fist” method to measure angles and find the Moon
Two horizontal fists (one fist = 10˚) right of west
Azimuth point = 291˚ (west-northwest)
1½ vertical fists above the horizon at the azimuth point
Altitude = +17˚
· Current status and ‘age’:
Waxing crescent
Five-plus days old (previous new moon – March 26)
· Ecliptic (Celestial) Coordinate System location: longitude = 082.3˚
latitude = +03.1˚
· Equatorial Coordinate System location: right ascension (a) = 05h 25.3m
Declination (d) = +26˚ 20.6'
· Distance from Earth: 228,861 miles; 368,316 kilometers; 57.746+ (Earth radii [Re])
· Light-travel time from the Moon to Earth: 1¼ seconds
· Visual magnitude: -11.65
· Angular size: 32’ (arc minutes)
· Disk illumination: 34%
· Constellation: Taurus
· Setting time: western horizon at 1:36 a.m.
Saturn
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location):
Start on the horizon at the southern sky (compass direction = 180˚)
and use the “fist” method to measure angles and find the planet Saturn
one-half horizontal fist left of south
Azimuth point = 176˚ (south)
6½ vertical fists above the horizon at the azimuth point
Altitude = +65˚
· Ecliptic (Celestial) Coordinate System location: longitude = 166.6˚
latitude = +02.3˚
· Equatorial Coordinate System location: right ascension (a) = 11h 13.8m
Declination (d) = +07˚ 25.9'
· Distance from Earth: 788.182-plus million miles; 1.268-plus billion kilometers;
8.479-plus (Astronomical Units [au's])
· Light-travel time from Saturn to Earth: one hour, 10½ minutes
· Visual magnitude: +0.58
· Angular size: 20” (arc seconds)
· Disk illumination: 100%
· Constellation: in Leo until September 2 when it will enter Virgo
· Transiting and setting times: due south at 12:07 a.m.; western horizon at 6:26 a.m.
The Sun and the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Uranus are not visible since they are below our horizon.
9:32 p.m.
Julian day = 2,454,923.606
Moon
· Event: perigee – fourth of 13 in 2009; the next perigee will be April 28
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location):
Start on the horizon at the western sky (compass direction = 270˚) and
use the “fist” method to measure angles and find the Moon
0 horizontal fists left of west
Azimuth point = 269˚ (West)
Six vertical fists above the horizon at the azimuth point
Altitude = +58˚
· Current status and ‘age’: waxing crescent; six-plus days old
· Ecliptic (Celestial) Coordinate System location: longitude = 095.4˚
latitude = +02.4˚
· Equatorial Coordinate System location: right ascension (a) = 06h 23.5m
Declination (d) = +25˚ 46.6'
· Distance from Earth: 229,915 miles; 370,013 kilometers; 58.0 (Earth radii [Re])
· Light-travel time from the Moon to Earth: 1¼ seconds
· Visual magnitude: -11.96
· Angular size: 33’ (arc minutes)
· Disk illumination: 44%
· Constellation: in Gemini
· Setting time: western horizon at 2:34 a.m.
Thursday, April 2
9:34 a.m.
Julian day = 2,454,924.107
Moon
Event: first quarter – fourth of 13 in 2009; next first quarter moon will be May 1; changes from a waxing crescent to waxing gibbous
Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location): not visible; 29˚ below the eastern horizon
Saturday, April 4
2:21 a.m.
Julian day = 2,454,925.806
Moon
· Event: descending node – fourth of 13 in 2009; the next descending node will be
May 1
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location):
Start on the horizon at the western sky (compass direction = 270˚) and
use the “fist” method to measure angles and find the Moon
two horizontal fists right of west
Azimuth point = 279˚ (west by north)
two vertical fists above the horizon at the azimuth point
Altitude = +20˚
· Current status and ‘age’: waxing gibbous
nine-plus days old
· Ecliptic (Celestial) Coordinate System location: longitude = 126.2˚; latitude = -0.6˚
· Equatorial Coordinate System location: right ascension (a) = 08h 33.2m
declination (d) = +18˚ 09.5'
· Distance from Earth: 229,250 miles; 368,942 kilometers; 57.8 (Earth radii [Re])
· Light-travel time from the Moon to Earth: 1¼ seconds
· Visual magnitude: -12.41
· Angular size: 32’ (arc minutes)
· Disk illumination: 68%
· Constellation: in Cancer
· Setting time: western horizon at 4:06 a.m.
Wednesday, April 8
9:10 p.m.
Julian day = 2,454,930.590
Mercury
· Event:‘leaves’ the constellation Pisces and ‘enters’ the constellation Aries where it will
stay until April 25. It will then ‘enter’ Taurus
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location): not visible; 07˚ below the
western horizon
Thursday, April 9
9:56 a.m.
Julian day = 2,454,931.122
Moon
· Event: full moon – fourth of 13 in 2009; changes from a waxing gibbous to a waning
Gibbous; worst (brightest moon) period of the month for viewing the evening night sky; next new moon will be May 24
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location): not visible; 39˚ below the
western horizon
Saturday, April 11
12 a.m. (midnight)
Julian day = 2,454,932.708
Saturn
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location):
Start on the horizon at the southern sky (compass direction = 180˚) and
use the “fist” method to measure angles and find the planet Saturn
two horizontal fists right of south
Azimuth point = 201˚ (south-southwest)
6½ vertical fists above the horizon at the azimuth point
Altitude = +64˚
· Ecliptic (Celestial) Coordinate System location: longitude = 166.0˚;
latitude = +02.3˚
· Equatorial Coordinate System location: right ascension (a) = 11h 11.4m
declination (d) = +07˚ 39.9'
· Distance from Earth: 795.981-plus million miles; 1.281-plus billion kilometers;
8.563-plus (Astronomical Units [au's])
· Light-travel time from Saturn to Earth: one hour, 11¼ minutes
· Visual magnitude: +0.64
· Angular size: 19” (arc seconds)
· Disk illumination: 100%
· Setting time: western horizon at 5:49 a.m.
Moon
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location):
Start on the horizon at the southern sky (compass direction = 180˚) and
use the “fist” method to measure angles and find the Moon
four horizontal fists left of south
Azimuth point = 138˚ (southeast)
2½ vertical fists above the horizon at the azimuth point
Altitude = +25˚
· Current status and ‘age’: waning gibbous; 16-plus days old
· Ecliptic (Celestial) Coordinate System location: longitude = 221.3˚; latitude = -05.5˚
· Equatorial Coordinate System location: right ascension (a) = 14h 27.6m
declination (d) = -20˚ 21.7'
· Distance from Earth: 241,220 miles; 388,206 kilometers; 60.865-plus (Earth radii)
· Light-travel time from the Moon to Earth: 1¼ seconds
· Visual magnitude: -12.67
· Angular size: 31’ (arc minutes)
· Disk illumination: 97%
· Constellation: in Libra
· Transiting and setting times: due south at 2:42 a.m.; western horizon at 8:01 a.m.
The Sun and the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Uranus are not visible since they are below our horizon
Thursday, April 16
4:17 a.m.
Julian day = 2,454,937.887
Moon
· Event: apogee – fourth of 13 in 2009; the next apogee will be May 13
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location):
Start on the horizon at the southern sky (compass direction = 180˚) and
use the “fist” method to measure angles and find the Moon
four horizontal fists left of south
Azimuth point = 142˚ (southeast by south)
two vertical fists above the horizon at the azimuth point
Altitude = +22˚
· Current status and ‘age’: waning gibbous; 21-plus days old
· Ecliptic (Celestial) Coordinate System location: longitude = 284.1˚; latitude = -02.6˚
· Equatorial Coordinate System location: right ascension (a) = 19h 02.1m
declination (d) = -25˚ 17.0'
· Distance from Earth: 251,177 miles; 404,231 kilometers; 63.377-plus (Earth radii)
· Light-travel time from the Moon to Earth: 1¼ seconds
· Visual magnitude: -12.09
· Angular size: 30’ (arc minutes)
· Disk illumination: 61%
· Constellation: in Sagittarius
· Transiting and setting times: due south at 7 a.m.; western horizon at 12:06 p.m.
Friday, April 17
8:36 a.m.
Julian day = 2,454,939.067
Moon
· Event: third (last) Quarter – fourth of 13 in 2009; changes from a waning gibbous to
a waning crescent; next new moon will be May 24
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location): not visible; the Sun
is up and it is daylight
April 18, Saturday
12:15 a.m.
Julian day = 2,454,939.719
Moon
· Event: ascending node – fourth of 13 in 2009; next ascending node will be May 15
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location): not visible; 36˚ below the
eastern horizon
12:36 p.m.
Julian day = 2,454,940.233
Sun
· Event: ‘leaves’ the constellation Pisces; ‘enters’ the constellation Aries where it will
stay until May 14. It will then ‘enter’ Taurus
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location):
Start on the horizon at the southern sky (compass direction = 180˚) and
use the “fist” method to measure angles and find the Sun
3½ horizontal fists left of south
Azimuth point = 145˚ (southeast by south)
6½ vertical fists above the horizon at the azimuth point
Altitude = +65˚
· Ecliptic (Celestial) Coordinate System location: longitude = 028.8˚
· Equatorial Coordinate System location: right ascension (a) = 01h 46.6m
declination (d) = +11˚ 00.4'
· Distance from Earth: 93.346-plus million miles; 150.226-plus million kilometers;
1.0042 (Astronomical Units [au's])
· Light-travel time from the Sun to Earth: eight minutes, 21 seconds
· Visual magnitude: -26.89
· Angular size: 32’ (arc minutes)
· Transiting and setting times: due south at 1:31 p.m.; western horizon at 8:02 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21
12 a.m. (midnight)
Julian day = 2,454,942.708
Saturn
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location):
Start on the horizon at the southern sky (compass direction = 180˚) and
use the “fist” method to measure angles and find the planet Saturn
four horizontal fists right of south
Azimuth point = 221˚ (southwest)
six vertical fists above the horizon at the azimuth point
Altitude = +60˚
· Ecliptic (Celestial) Coordinate System location: longitude = 165.5˚;
latitude = +02.2˚
· Equatorial Coordinate System location: right ascension (a) = 11h 09.5m
declination (d) = +07˚ 50.5'
· Distance from Earth: 806.011-plus million miles; 1.297-plus billion kilometers;
8.670-plus (Astronomical Units [au's])
· Light-travel time from Saturn to Earth: one hour, 12 minutes
· Visual magnitude: +0.69
· Angular size: 19” (arc seconds)
· Disk illumination: 100%
· Setting time: western horizon at 5:04 a.m.
The Sun, the Moon and the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Uranus are not visible since they are below our horizon.
Wednesday, April 22
9:51 p.m.
Julian day = 2,454,944.619
Lyrid Meteor Shower
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location):
Start on the horizon at the eastern sky (compass direction = 090˚) and
use the “fist” method to measure angles and find the originating area (radiant)
of the Lyrid showers
four horizontal fists left of East
Azimuth point = 049˚ (northeast)
0 vertical fists above the horizon at the azimuth point
Altitude = +00˚
· Equatorial Coordinate System location: right ascension (a) = 18h 04.0m
declination (d) = +34˚ 00.0'
· Constellation: Hercules
· Transiting and setting times: due south at 5:29 a.m.; western horizon at 1:08 p.m.
Friday, April 24
10:23 p.m.
Julian day = 2,454,946.641
Moon
Event: new moon – fourth of 12 in 2009; the next new moon will be May 24; changes from a waning crescent to a waxing crescent moon
Best (darkest moon) period of the month for viewing the evening night sky
Beginning of Lunation 1068
Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location): not visible; 39˚ below the western horizon
Wednesday, April 25
9:10 p.m.
Julian day = 2,454,946.853
Mercury
· Event: ‘leaves’ the constellation Aries and ‘enters’ the constellation Taurus were it will remain until July 3. It will then ‘enter’ Gemini
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location): not visible; 36˚ below the
eastern horizon
Thursday, April 26
8:07 p.m.
Julian day = 2,454,948.547
Mercury
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location):
Start on the horizon at the western sky (compass direction = 270˚) and
use the “fist” method to measure angles and find the planet Mercury
1½ horizontal fists right of west
Azimuth point = 285˚ (west by north)
two vertical fists above the horizon at the azimuth point
Altitude = +20˚
· Ecliptic (Celestial) Coordinate System location: longitude = 057.1˚; latitude = +02.8˚
· Equatorial Coordinate System location: right ascension (a) = 03h 36.1m
declination (d) = +22˚ 09.8'
· Distance from Earth: 78.012+ million miles; 125.548-plus million kilometers;
0.839-plus (Astronomical Units [au's])
· Light-travel time from Saturn to Earth: six minutes, 59 seconds
· Visual magnitude: +0.38
· Angular size: 8” (arc seconds)
· Disk illumination: 36%
· Setting time: western horizon at 9:47 p.m.
Moon
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location):
Start on the horizon at the western sky (compass direction = 270˚) and
use the “fist” method to measure angles and find the Moon
1½ horizontal fists right of west
Azimuth point = 285˚ (west by north)
2½ vertical fists above the horizon at the azimuth point
Altitude = +24˚
· Current status and ‘age’: waxing crescent; two-plus days old (previous new moon – April 24)
· Ecliptic (Celestial) Coordinate System location: longitude = 083.6˚; latitude = +02.5˚
· Equatorial Coordinate System location: right ascension (a) = 03h 53.5m
declination (d) = +24˚ 35.2'
· Distance from Earth: 226,333 miles; 364,248 kilometers; 57.108-plus (Earth radii)
· Light-travel time from the Moon to Earth: 1¼ seconds
· Visual magnitude: -9.52
· Angular size: 33’ (arc minutes)
· Disk illumination: 5%
· Setting time: western horizon at 10:19 p.m.
Aldebaran – 13th brightest night star
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location):
Start on the horizon at the western sky (compass direction = 270˚) and
use the “fist” method to measure angles and find the star Aldebaran
0 horizontal fists right of west
Azimuth point = 272˚ (west)
three vertical fists above the horizon at the azimuth point
Altitude = +30˚
· Equatorial Coordinate System location: right ascension (a) = 04h 35.9m
declination (d) = +16˚ 30.5'
· Distance from Earth: 65 light years; 382.102-plus trillion miles; 614.934-plus trillion kilometers; 4.110-plus million astronomical units (au's)
· Visual magnitude: +0.84
· Setting time: western horizon at 9:47 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28
1:28 a.m.
Julian day = 2,454,949.769
Moon
· Event: perigee – fifth of 13 in 2009; next perigee will be May 25
· Local (Horizontal [Horizon] Coordinate System location): not visible;
20˚ below the western horizon