Bangkok on March 24, 2023, following a lunar occultation of the second planet from the solar. (Photograph by Jack TAYLOR / AFP) (Photograph by JACK TAYLOR/AFP through Getty Pictures)AFP through Getty Pictures
Every Monday, I pick North America’s celestial highlights for the week forward (which additionally apply to mid-northern latitudes within the northern hemisphere), however make sure to verify my principal feed for extra in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and extra.
The Night time Sky This Week: April 1-7, 2024
Complete photo voltaic eclipses—when the moon fully blocks the solar—are predictable, inevitable and sure to occur exactly on time. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to watch them construct. This week it’s attainable to look at the moon because it wanes, inching nearer to the solar every night time earlier than completely eclipsing it Monday, April 8.
Better of all will probably be early morning on Sunday, April 7, when a slim crescent moon will probably be seen very low within the east and, as a bonus, it is going to seem near a trio of planets—then occult (or eclipse) Venus later in daylight.
Right here’s every little thing you could find out about stargazing and astronomy this week:
Monday, April 1: Final Quarter Moon
At present, our satellite tv for pc will attain its Final Quarter or “half moon” part, rising after midnight and clearing the best way for 10 nights of darkish, moonless skies. Excellent for anybody planning an eclipse-chasing trip, if clouds keep away.
Friday, April 5: Crescent Moon, Mars And Saturn Stellarium
Friday, April 5: Crescent Moon, Mars And Saturn
Look to the east-southeast sky simply earlier than dawn, and also you’ll see the gorgeous sight of a 15%-lit waning crescent moon, simply a few levels from each Mars and Saturn. You’ll want a superb view low to the horizon.Saturday, April 6: Crescent Moon, Mars And Saturn Stellarium
Saturday, April 6: Crescent Moon, Mars And Saturn
At present, it is going to even be attainable to see a crescent moon, this time simply 8%-lit, and now simply beneath Saturn and Mars. The longer you wait till dawn, the extra probably you can be to see vibrant Venus shining due east.
Sunday, April 7: The Pre-Eclipse Moon Occults Venus
Will you get the final glimpse of the moon earlier than it eclipses the solar on Monday? That is going to be a troublesome sight to see, principally as a result of it is going to be so near the japanese horizon, however when you look due east within the moments earlier than dawn you might even see a 3%-lit crescent moon very near vibrant Venus.
Later right this moment, at round 12:34 EDT (as seen from Washington D.C.), the moon will eclipse Venus in daylight. It is going to reappear at 13:48 EDT, based on In The Sky, which additionally presents a beneficial map of the occultation with actual timings (although you’ll need a GoTo telescope to see it).
The following occultation of Venus by the moon will probably be seen from Europe in September 2025. of totality on April 8, 2024.Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com
Eclipse Tip Of The Week: Go Stargazing
If you’re a daily reader, you will know that across the new moon is one of the best time to go stargazing. With the moon near the solar, it’s not seen at night time, which leaves the night time sky is as darkish as attainable. So it is smart that within the nights round a complete photo voltaic eclipse situations are excellent for stargazing. Fortunately, the trail of totality—the one location the place the overall photo voltaic eclipse could be skilled—passes by way of a number of areas which have actually darkish skies, making them excellent for observing the eclipse.
A number of the finest locations to go to embody Texas Hill Nation, Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas, southeast Missouri, northeast New York and northern Maine. In Missouri, you’ll be able to try the Mark Twain Nationwide Forest or Rocky Creek Conservation Space, each of which have darkish skies and are away from crowds. In Arkansas, you’ll be able to go to the Ozark Francis Nationwide Forest, Buffalo Nationwide River or Ouachita Nationwide Forest to expertise the darkish skies and observe the eclipse. These locations provide gorgeous views of the eclipse—clouds allowing—and likewise provide an opportunity to see the night time sky at its finest throughout the totality. of totality on April 8, 2024.Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com
Eclipse Tip Of The Week: Get Some Binoculars
There’s quite a lot of speak about photo voltaic eclipse glasses this month. That’s no shock, however the fuss about watching the partial phases of a photo voltaic eclipse is, principally misplaced. Positive, watching the moon transfer throughout the Solar is an entrancing sight, nevertheless it’s nowhere close to as fascinating as watching totality. Totality, when the moon fully blocks the solar, can solely be skilled by these throughout the 115 miles large path of totality that can cross elements of 15 US states on Monday.
If you happen to plan to be inside this path of totality, you’ll expertise darkness within the day and have an opportunity to have a look at the photo voltaic corona with the bare eye. Throughout these couple of minutes, I implore you to make use of a pair of binoculars. The close-up you’ll get of the solar’s corona will probably be thoughts blowing. The truth is, additionally, you will probably see enormous pink prominences across the fringe of the solar, which is a sight to be maintain. Sure, you do need to watch out, however when you solely use these binoculars when it’s darkish and you may see no a part of the solar’s vibrant disk, it’s secure. If you wish to use your binoculars to look at the partial phases you could use particular photo voltaic filters. Don’t take dangers!
The instances and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For probably the most correct location-specific info, seek the advice of on-line planetariums like Stellarium and The Sky Reside. Examine planet-rise/planet-set, dawn/sundown and moonrise/moonset instances for the place you might be.
Wishing you clear skies and large eyes.
Observe me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Take a look at my web site or a few of my different work right here. I’m the world’s solely photo voltaic eclipse journalist. I am the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com and creator of The Full Information To The Nice North American Eclipse of April 8, 2024 and When Is The Subsequent Eclipse? A traveler’s information to whole photo voltaic eclipses 2024-2034. I am an skilled science, journey and images journalist, a stargazer and eclipse-chaser, writing about exploring the night time sky, whole photo voltaic eclipses, moon-gazing, astro-tourism, astronomy and house exploration. I additionally edit SmartTelescopeReviews.com and I am the creator of A Stargazing Program for Newcomers: A Pocket Subject Information. I write for House.com, Reside Science, Sky & Telescope journal, BBC Sky At Night time journal, The Planetary Society, New Scientist, Journey+Leisure, T3, the South China Morning Put up and Digital Digicam World. Learn MoreRead Much less