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Monthly Observations
April 2009

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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