Venus is bright in the evening about 8 pm to about 11 pm in the constellation Aries. Mars is as well in the West from 8.30 pm to 9 pm. Jupiter is visible nearly throughout the night from about 8 pm to 5 am in the morning in the constellation Cancer. Saturn is visible in the constellation Scorpius from 1 am to about 6 am in the morning in beginning of April and from 11.30 pm to 5 am in the middle of April.
The constellation Gemini is dominating in the night sky in the evenings
Early April, the Sun rises at 6.42 am and sets at 7.41 pm. In the middle of April the Sun rises at 6.09 am and sets at 8.06 pm.
Wednesday 01 April
April’s fool day. There are 2 bright satellite Iridium flares in the evening. First at 9.27 pm in the East at altitude 52 degrees, in the constellation Canes Venatici. The second at 10.43 pm in the North East at 20 degrees altitude and constellation Lyra.
In the morning of the 2nd at 2.55 am there is another bright Iridium flare in the East South East at altitude 14 degrees and in the constellation Serpens Cauda.
Thursday 02 April
Today we celebrate the 170th Anniversary (1845) of the 1rst photo of Sun taken by Louis Fizeau & Leon Foucault
At 11.11 pm The International Space Station (ISS) is close to the Moon. Not visible for Tissington as ISS is in the shadow. But travel for about 10 miles and ISS will cross the Moon. Accurate calculations need to be done nearer the time. Contact Patrick Poitevin for updates.
In the early morning, at 2.58 am, a bright Iridium flare is visible in East North East at altitude 17 degrees in the constellation of Serpens Cauda.
Friday 03 April
At 10.18 pm ISS crosses the nearly full Moon. ISS will be in the shadow of the Earth and not visible in the sky, but with a binocular, camera or small telescope you will see ISS crossing. Be quick though, crossing only takes 0.80 seconds. Recalculations need to be done nearer the time.
At 10.40 pm a bright Iridium flare is visible in the North East at an altitude of 23 degrees in the constellation of Hercules. Another bright Iridium flare appears in the morning at 3.01 am. Look in the direction of South East at an altitude of 20 degrees in the constellation of Serpens Cauda.
Saturday 04 April
Full Moon at 1.06 pm. Total Lunar Eclipse, not visible in UK. Visible in the Americas, East Asia and the Pacific. For us, the Full Moon rises at 7.57 pm.
A rather bright Iridium flare at 9.41 pm in the East at altitude 76 in the constellation of Ursa Major. A brighter Iridium flare is in the early morning at 5.40 am in the North North East at altitude of 26 degrees in the constellation of Cassiopeia.
Sunday 05 April
The International Space Station (ISS) is visible again. It appears in South South West on the horizon at 8.27 pm, is at its highest (only 6.5 degrees though) in the South at 8.29 pm and disappears again in the East South East at 8.33 pm. Another short ISS appearances is in the West South West horizon at 10.02 pm and disappears South west in the Earth shadow at 22 degrees altitude at 10.06 pm
We have a Iridium flare at 10.38 pm in the North East at altitude 28 degrees in the constellation of Hercules.
Monday 06 April
A bright Iridium flare is visible at 9.06 pm in the East at an altitude of 59 degrees in the constellation of Ursa Major.
ISS will appear at 9.09 pm in South West at the horizon. Is at its highest of 25 degrees in the South at 9.14 pm and disappears in the Earth shadow at 23 degrees high East South East at 9.15 pm. Another short pass of ISS appears at 10.44 pm West South West on the horizon and disappears at 10.47 pm at 17 degrees high in the same West South West.
In the early morning, at 4.45 am, a bright Iridium appears in the North North East at an altitude of 12 degrees in the constellation of Perseus.
Tuesday 07 April
ISS appears on the horizon of South South West at 8.16 pm, reaches its highest at 20 degrees in the South South East at 8.20 pm and disappears in the East at 8.24 pm. Another ISS pass later and appears at 9.51 pm in West South West horizon, passes the bright star Procyon of Canis Minor close and reaches its highest point of 54 degrees in the South South East at 9.56 pm. ISS disappears than a immediately in the Earth Shadow. Another third pass will barely be visible. If you try anyway and you have a good horizon, try at 11.27 pm in the West where ISS only gets to 8 degrees high and disappears immediately 2 minutes after at 11.29 pm.
Look at the Moon just before midnight, low on the horizon after Moon rise. The star called Zuben Elakrab of the constellation Libra is only 4 Moon diameters away. Saturn in Scorpius is nearby the Moon in the early morning of the 8th.
Bright Iridium flare in the early morning at 5.14 am in North North East at altitude of 19 degrees in the constellation of Perseus. At civil twilight about 5.50 am the Moon is close to Saturn, about 9 lunar diameters away. Visible at an altitude of 15 degrees.
08 to 22 April 2015
Venus is bright in the evening about 8 pm to about 11.30 pm in the constellation Aries and later Taurus. Is passes close to the Pleiades from 9 to 11 April. Mercury is visible in the second part of the month from 8.30 pm to 9.40 pm in the constellation Aries. Mars is as well in the West from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Jupiter is visible nearly throughout the night from about 8 pm to 4.30 am in the morning in the constellation Cancer. Saturn is visible in the constellation Scorpius from midnight to about 5.30 am in the morning in the beginning of April and from 11 pm to 5 am at the end of April.
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.