Look for the Lyrids meteors which will have their maximum in the early morning of 22 to 23 April. They are best seen in the evening of 21 April from 9.40 pm to 4.30 am in the morning. Look South South East at 69 degrees high in the constellation of Hercules. You might expect to see approx. 5 to 9 meteors an hour.
The constellation Gemini is dominating in the night sky in the evenings.
The Sun rises at 6.24 am and sets at 7.53 pm on 8 April. On 22 April the Sun rises at 5.52 am and sets at 8.18 pm.
Wednesday 08 April
Mercury passes 0.5 degrees or a Moon diameter from Uranus before midday, not visible for us.
The ISS appears at 8.59 pm in West South West at the horizon, climbs up to 40 degrees in the South at 9.04 pm and disappears at an altitude of 16 degrees in the East at 9.07 pm. At 10.29 a bright Iridium flare is visible at North East at an altitude of 33 degrees in the constellation of Hercules. And another ISS appears at 10.35 pm in the West and disappears in West South West at 36 degrees at 10.39 pm.
Thursday 09 April
ISS appears at 8.06 pm in South West, culminates at its highest of 30 degrees in South South East at 8.11 pm and disappears in the East at 8.16 pm. A bright flare is visible at 9.38 pm at an altitude of 73 degrees, in the East and in the constellation of Ursa Major. ISS appears again at 9.42 pm in West South West, passes close to the star Bellatrix in Orion and climbs up to 66 degrees in the South at 9.47 pm. ISS disappears in the Earth’s shadow in East South East at an altitude of 37 degrees at 9.48 pm. ISS appears for the 3rd time, very shortly at 11.18 pm in the West and disappears at 15 degrees high only 3 minutes after. Another bright Iridium flare is visible at 2.58 am, visible in the East only at altitude 6 degrees in the constellation Delphinus.
At 4.24 am the Moon is at its maximum libration West. The Crater Grimaldi is tipped into our view.
Friday 10 April
At 8.48 pm ISS appears in West South West at the horizon, passing Jupiter about 2 lunar diameters distance at 8.54 pm, culminating at its highest of 57 degrees in South South East at 8.54 pm, and disappears in the East at about 10 degrees high at 8.57 pm. ISS Appears again at 10.25 pm in the West and disappears after 5 minutes at 10.29 pm in the Earth’s shadow at 56 degrees altitude South West.
In the early morning, at twilight at 4.38 am, a bright Iridium flare appears in North North East at an altitude of only 10 degrees in the constellation of Perseus.
Saturday 11 April
Today it is the 45th Anniversary (1970) of the famous Apollo 13 Launch.
At 7.27 am, the Moon is it its maximum south libration. The South Pole is tipped into Earth’s view. It is the second southernmost total libration of the year. The former more southern total libration was at 11 November 2012. The next more southern total libration will be 21 May 2015.
ISS appears at 9.31 pm in the West, with about 2 lunar diameters distance passing the bright star Pollux in the constellation of Gemini at 9.36 pm and is that time at its highest altitude of 70 degrees in the South. ISS disappears East South East at 26 degrees altitude at 9.38 pm. At 10.20 pm a very bright Iridium flare appears North East at an altitude of 38 degrees in the constellation of Hercules. ISS has once more a short appearance at 11.07 pm in the West, disappearing 3 minutes after at 19 degrees high. Another bright Iridium flare is visible at 3.14 am in the East at an altitude of 8 degrees in the constellation of Equuleus. And another one in the North North East at 7 degrees altitude at 4.24 am in the constellation of Perseus.
At 4.44 am in the morning, the Moon is in Last Quarter. This is the 2nd southernmost last quarter Moon of the year. Former more southern last quarter moon was at 13 March 2015. Next more southern last quarter moon is at 1 March 2016.
Sunday 12 April
ISS crosses the sky appearing at 8.37 pm in the West, passes Pollux in Gemini very close at 8.42 pm and is at its highest at 57 degrees in the South at 8.43 pm and disappearing at 8.46 pm in the East. ISS appears again in the West at 10.14 pm, passing Jupiter very close at 10.17 pm at its highest of 52 degrees South South West at 10.19 pm where ISS disappears in the shadow of the Earth.
Use a small telescope or binocular to see the Great Red Spot transiting the planet Jupiter at 1.35 am. Jupiter is at altitude 25 degrees. Bright Iridium flare at 3.26 am in the East at an altitude of 11 degrees in the constellation of Equuleus.
Monday 13 April
ISS crosses the sky and appears at 9.20 pm in the West, culminating at 63 degrees in the South at 9.25 pm. ISS disappears at 9.27 pm at the height of 20 degrees East South East. ISS appears short again at 10.56 pm in the West and disappears after 4 minutes at 1 degrees height.
Very bright Iridium flare at 3.29 am low at the horizon at 13 degrees in the East in the constellation of Equuleus.
Look for the Earth shine on the Moon just before Sun rise. The Moon rises at 4.03 am.
Tuesday 14 April
Early ISS appearing at 8.26 pm in the West, cumulating at 69 degrees in the South at 8.32 pm and disappears at 8.36 pm in the East. ISS appears again at 10.02 pm, culminating at 10.07 pm at altitude 37 degrees and then disappearing just after. ISS passes Procyon at 8.36 pm just over two lunar diameters.
The Great Spot transits Jupiter at 3.14 am if you use a small telescope or binoculars.
Wednesday 15 April
ISS appears at 9.09 pm in the West, culminates at 50 degrees in South South West at 9.14 pm and disappears a few minutes after in the Earth shadow at 15 degrees in East South East at 9.16 pm. A very bright Iridium flare is visible at 10.05 pm in East North East at an altitude of 43 degrees in the constellation of Hercules. ISS has another short appearance at 22.45 pm, but disappeared already after 4 minutes South west at 16 degrees height.
At 3.35 am in the morning a bright Iridium flare is visible in the East at an altitude of 17 degrees in the constellation of Delphinus. Around 5.40 am in the morning a small Lunar Crescent is visible, 61.9 hours before new moon. The Moon is only 9.6% illuminated.
Thursday 16 April
ISS appears at 8.15 pm in the West, and gets to its highest point of 60 degrees at 8.20 pm. ISS disappears at 8.25 pm in the East South East .
Try to spot Mercury just at Sun set at around 8.30 pm with a binocular. Mercury sets at 8.50 pm.
An Iridium flare is visible at 9.40 pm at 77 degrees altitude in East North East in Ursa Major. ISS appears once more at 9.51 pm in the West, culminates at altitude 24 degrees at 9.57 pm and disappears at 9.57 pm in the South.
An Iridium flare appears at 3.38 am in the constellation Delphinus at 21 degrees East South East. The Great Red Spot transits Jupiter at 4.52 pm. The altitude is very low at 5 degrees. Use a small telescope of binocular.
The Lunar crescent is visible under good condition, 37.9 hours before New Moon, only 3.7% illuminated. Look from 5.35 am to 5.50 am. Moon rises at 5.31 am.
Friday 17 April
A bright Iridium flare is visible at 8.18 pm at 74 degrees altitude in the East South East in the constellation of Ursa Major. ISS appears at 8.57 pm in the West, passes Bellatrix with 3 lunar diameters and Betelgeuse with just less than 2 lunar diameters, both bright starts in the constellation of Orion, culminates South South West at 34 degrees at 9.03 pm and disappears at 9.06 pm South East at 10 degrees. ISS appears another time at 22.35 pm in the West and disappears only 4 minutes after South West at 10 degrees altitude.
The Great Spot transit Jupiter at 0.44 am. Use a small telescope of binocular. And if you have a good view and you will see the Jovian Moon Callisto partially covering the Moon Io between 0.43 and 0.50 am. From 2.27 am to 2.37 am Jupiter Moon Callisto occults Jupiter Moon Ganymede partial. Worthwhile a look!
Saturday 18 April
ISS appears in the West at 8.04 pm, reaches its highest point at 45 degrees at 8.09 pm and disappears in the East South East at 8.14 pm. The Great Red Spot transits the planet Jupiter at 8.36 pm. Use a small telescope or binoculars. At 8.44 pm it is New Moon. ISS appears once more at 9.40 pm, rises in the South West up to 15 degrees at 9.45 pm and disappears at 9.47 pm.
A bright Iridium flare appears at 3.35 am in the East South East at 22 degrees in the constellation of Delphinus.
Sunday 19 April
A nice challenge: Mercury close to the tiny crescent Moon at 8.30 pm. Separation only 4 lunar diameters. Moon only 1.5% lit and only 24.7 hours after New Moon. Moon is only 4 degrees high in West North West. The Moon is close to Mars, about 7 lunar diameters at 8.50 pm. Moon sets at 9.16 pm. Would be great if you let us now about your successful observation!
ISS appears at 8.46 pm in the West. At his highest of 22 degrees South South West at 8.51 pm and disappears at 8.55 pm South South East. A bright Iridium flare appears at 9.50 pm East North East at 49 degrees in the constellation of Bootes.
Venus rather close to the bright star Aldebaran at 0.54 am, about 7 degrees separated
Monday 20 April
Crescent Moon visible at after 9.15 pm. The Moon is only 49.3 hours old after New Moon. Illumination 5.9%. Moon sets at 10.31 pm. ISS appears at 9.33 pm in the West. Reaches its highest point of only 8 degrees at 9.33 pm and disappears in the South at 9.36 pm. An Iridium flare appears 9.44 pm East North East at 50 degrees in the constellation of Bootes. The Great Red Spot of Jupiter transits the planet at 10.14 pm. Altitude at 47 degrees.
Tuesday 21 April
ISS crosses the disc of the Sun at 5.26 pm. Transit duration only 1.99 sec, Sun altitude 24 degrees. Can only be observed with special solar telescopes. I observed from Tissington a few times an ISS transit. See picture.
Venus close to the Moon at 7.40 pm, approx. 7 degrees separation or 13 lunar diameters. Altitude 38 degrees, Moon phase 11.8%. A nice challenge as the Sun is approx. 4 degrees above the horizon! Look for the Earth shine at about 8.50 pm when the Moon is close to the bright star Aldebaran.
Look for the Lyrids meteors which will have their maximum in the early morning of 22 to 23 April. They are best seen in the evening of 21 April from 9.40 pm to 4.30 am in the morning. Look South South East at 69 degrees high in the constellation of Hercules. You might expect to see approx. 5 to 9 meteors an hour.
Wednesday 22 April
Look for the Moon with Earthshine at 9.45 pm.
Lyrids meteor maximum at 3 am in the early morning. Look for the Lyrids meteors. They are best seen in the evening of 21 April from 9.40 pm to 4.30 am in the morning. Look South South East at 69 degrees high in the constellation of Hercules. You might expect to see approx. 5 to 9 meteors an hour.
A bright Iridium flare appears at 3.29 am East South East at 29 degrees in the constellation of Aquila.
April 22 to May 6
Mercury is best seen from 8.40 pm until 9.40 pm in the constellation of Aries at the end of April. And best seen from 9.25 pm until 10.50 pm in constellation of Taurus at the beginning of May. Venus is best seen from 8.30 pm in the evening until 10 past midnight in the constellation of Taurus. Mars is best seen from nearly 9 pm until 9.30 pm in the constellation of Aries. Jupiter is best seen from 8.30 pm until nearly 4 am in the constellation Cancer at the end of April. And from 9 pm to nearly 3 am in the constellation of Cancer in the beginning of May. Saturn is best seen from 11.10 pm until 5.20 am in the constellation Scorpius at the end of April. Best seen from 10 pm to 4.40 am in constellation Scorpius in the beginning of May.
Sun rises on Wednesday 22 April at 5h52 am and sets at 8.18 pm. On Wednesday 6 May the Sun rises at 5.23 am and sets at 8.42 pm
Wednesday 22 April
Lyrids meteor maximum at 3 am in the early morning. Look for the Lyrids meteors. They are best seen in the evening of 21 April from 9.40 pm to 4.30 am in the morning. Look towards South South East at 69 degrees high in the constellation of Hercules. You might expect to see approx. 5 to 9 meteors an hour. Velocity of the meteors are 47.9km/s, which is rather rapid.
At 4.34 pm ISS crosses in front of the Sun. Only visible between Duffield and Belper. Duration of the transit is 1.4 sec. Another ISS transit over the Sun’s disc is at 6.09 pm and only visible between Matlock and Chesterfield. Duration of the transit is 2.7 sec. A solar telescope is needed to watch. Do not look to the Sun without proper solar filters. See picture of Patrick Poitevin.
Look for the Moon with Earthshine at 9.45 pm. If you have a small telescope or binoculars, look for the Great Spot on Jupiter. It transits at 11h54 pm.
A bright Iridium flare at 3.29 am in East South East at altitude of 29 degrees in the constellation Aquila. At 4.40 am, the Moon is at maximum Libration East and Mare Crisium limb is tipped into our view.
Thursday 23 April
The Moon beautiful with Earthshine at 9.50 pm. And at 11.04 pm the Moon in maximum Northern libration. The North Pole and Mare Frigoris are tipped into our view. Last but not least at 11.40 pm the Moon close to the bright star A24 Geminorum 1.9 magnitude and separation 0.74° or 0.94 lunar diameters from the limb. Altitude is 12° and Moon phase is 30%.
Friday 24 April
Today in 1990, space shuttle Discover was launched from Cape Canaveral, carrying the Hubble Space Telescope to be placed into orbit.
At 9.25 pm, the Moon is close to Lam Gem a bright star of 3.6 magnitude, Limb separation 1.77° or 3.47 lunar diameters. A bright Iridium flare appears at 9.29 pm in East North East direction at altitude 58° in the constellation of Bootes.
The Moon’s Earthshine visible at 9.50 pm. At 0.38 am immersion of the star 68 Gem 5.3 magnitude behind the dark limb of the Moon. Moon phase 40%. To observe with a small telescope or with binoculars.
At 1.32 am, the Great Red Spot transits Jupiter. You need a small telescope or with binoculars to observe.
Saturday 25 April
At 9.24 pm the Great Red Spot transits Jupiter. You need a small telescope or with binoculars to observe.
First quarter Moon at 0.55 am. A bright Iridium flare appears at 3.20 am in East South East direction at altitude 33° in the constellation of Aquila. And a second Iridium flare appears at 5.36 am in North North East direction at altitude 27° in the constellation of Camelopardalis.
Sunday 26 April
Today in 1957, (Sir) Patrick Alfred Caldwell Moore launched his first program, the longest running show on television “The Sky at Night”. He hosted the program without a break until he passed away December 09, 2012.
ISS is close to the Sun at 2.36 pm. Not visible, but ISS is crossing the Sun’s surface near Matlock. The transit will last 0.8 seconds. You will need a solar telescope to observe. Never watch the Sun without good solar filters!
The Moon close to Jupiter at 8.40 pm. Limb separation 6° or 12 lunar diameters.
A bright Iridium flare appears at 0.19 am in South West direction at altitude 38° in the constellation of Leo. The Great Red Spot transits Jupiter at 3.11 am.
Monday 27 April
At 9.30 pm the Moon close to the star Subra in the constellation Leo, 3.5 magnitude and Limb separation 3.13° or 6.28 lunar diameters. The Great Red Spot transits Jupiter at 11.03 pm. You will need a small telescope of binoculars to see.
An Iridium flare appears 0.13 am in South West direction at altitude 39° in the constellation of Leo.
Tuesday 28 April
Today in 1774 the English astronomer Francis Baily was born. He described the striking optical effect of “Baily's Beads” during an annular eclipse of the Sun of 15 May 1836. An arc of bright spots is briefly seen during an eclipse of the Sun immediately before and after totality. Francis Baily died 30 August 1844 at the age of 70.
In the early morning at 3.11 am a very bright Iridium flare appears South East direction at altitude 37° in the constellation of Aquila. Only 7 minutes later, at 3.18 am another (less bright ) flare in the East North East at altitude 4° in the constellation of Pegasus. But a double Iridium flare appears at 3.27 am in East North East direction one at altitude 5.9°, the other at 5.6°, both in the constellation of Pegasus. And if you do not have enough flare overdose for this morning, one appears at 3.36 am in East North East direction at an altitude of 7° in the constellation of Pegasus.
At 4.49 am Moon in apogee, which is a distance moon center to earth center at 405115.7 km.
Wednesday 29 April
An Iridium flare is visible at 9.08 pm in East North East direction at an altitude of 63° in the constellation of Ursa Major.
The Great Red Spot transits Jupiter at 0.42 am. You will need a small telescope or binoculars to observe. At 3.47 am an Iridium flare appears East North East direction at altitude of 10° in the constellation of Pegasus.
Thursday 30 April
The Great Red Spot transits Jupiter at 8.34 pm. You will need a small telescope or binoculars to observe.
In the early morning at 3.51 am, an Iridium flare in East North East direction at altitude 12° in the constellation of Pegasus. Another flare only 7 minutes later at 3.58 in the East at altitude 15° in the constellation of Pegasus.
Friday 1 May
Today in 1851, the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations opened in Hyde Park, London, England. This was the first international exhibition to be held in any country.
ISS crosses the disc of the Sun at 14.56 pm. Only visible with a solar telescope. Do not look into the Sun without the safe solar filters. The transit will last 0.58 seconds for Tissington. See picture of Patrick Poitevin.
At 11.58 pm a very bright Iridium flare appears West South West direction at altitude of 36° in the constellation of Leo.
The Great Red Spot transits Jupiter at 2.21 am. You will need a small telescope or binoculars to observe. At 3.01 am an Iridium flare appears in the South East at an altitude 40° in the constellation of Aquila.
Saturday 2 May
Today in 1947, the English engineer and industrial designer Sir James Dyson born. His inventions include the Dual Cyclone bagless vacuum cleaner and the Airblade hand dryer.
The Great Red Spot transits Jupiter at 10.30 pm. You will need a small telescope or binoculars to observe.
An Iridium flare visible at 2.55 am in the South East at an altitude of 40° in the constellation of Hercules. Another flare is at 3.56 am in the East at an altitude of 16° in the constellation of Pegasus. And in twilight another flare is at 4.28 am in North North East direction at altitude of 11° in the constellation of Perseus.
Sunday 3 May
ISS is close to the Sun at 11.33 am. ISS transits the disc of the Sun with a duration of 0.7 seconds near Belper. Only visible with a solar telescope. Do not look into the Sun without the safe solar filters.
At 9.41 pm an Iridium flare appears in the North East at an altitude of 76° in the constellation of Ursa Major. In the morning at 3.59 am, an Iridium flare appears in the East at an altitude of 19° in the constellation of Pegasus. And at 4.13 am another flare appears in North North East direction low at an altitude of 8° in the constellation of Perseus.
At 4.42 am it is Full Moon.
Monday 4 May
The Great Red Spot transits Jupiter at 11.52 pm. You will need a small telescope or binoculars to observe.
Very bright Iridium flare visible at 1.16 am the the morning in South South West direction at altitude 48° in the constellation of Bootes. At 3.50 am, the Moon is close to the bright star called Zuben Elakrab, 3.9 magnitude, Limb separation of 1.29° or 2.53 lunar diameters. Another Iridium flare at 4.02 am in the East at altitude 22° in the constellation of Pegasus.
Tuesday 5 May
At 10.50 pm the nearly full Moon close to Saturn, a Limb separation of 3.45° or 6.73 lunar diameters.
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks tonight and estimated to see over 10 meteors an hour.
A bright Iridium flare at 11.43 pm in West South West direction at an altitude of 35° in the constellation of Leo. At 1.10 am another flare in South South West direction at an altitude of 48° in the constellation of Bootes. A fainter flare at 2.46 am in the South East at an altitude of 45° in the constellation of Hercules.
Wednesday 6 May
Today In 1840, the adhesive postage stamp was first sold in Great Britain. The "penny black" and "twopenny blue" stamps showed the profile of Queen Victoria.
ISS is close to the Sun at 10.28 am. Not visible, but ISS transits the disc of the Sun near Chatsworth Park. Duration of the transit is calculated to 0.8 seconds. Interested? Contact me for updated calculations. Only visible with a solar telescope. Do not look into the Sun without the safe solar filters.
At 11.09 pm the Moon in maximum libration West. The Crater Grimaldi is tipped into our view.
The Great Red Spot transits Jupiter at 1.31 am in the early morning. You will need a small telescope or binoculars to observe. At 2.40 am a very bright Iridium flare is visible in the South East at an altitude of 45° in the constellation of Ophiuchus. Another flare is at 3.59 am in the East at an altitude of 25° in the constellation of Pegasus.
Mercury reaches its greatest elongation at 21.2 degrees east of the Sun at 5 am.