ASTRONOMER Martin Lunn explains what can be seen in the April skies.

IN April two great beasts rule the sky. The Great Bear, which is also known as the Plough or to the Americans the Big Dipper, is directly overhead, and Leo (the Lion) is high in the south.

The Bear (or the Plough) looks like a frying pan in the sky. We use the two stars furthest from the handle or tail and draw a line across the sky to find the North Star. If, however, we use the two stars closest to the handle and draw a line in the opposite direction, we reach a bright star at the bottom of a backwards question mark. This is Regulus, the brightest star in Leo.

Using the handle of the Plough, follow the curve around and down and you will come across Arcturus in the constellation of Bootes (the Herdsman). If the curved line is then continued you will reach a bright white star called Spica in the constellation of Virgo (the Virgin).

Of course, with the Plough being so high in the sky, the ‘W’ of Cassiopeia is now at its lowest.

Of the winter stars, only Capella in Auriga (the Charioteer), Pollux and Castor in Gemini the Twins) and Procyon in Canis Minor (the Small Dog) are still just visible in the south west as it becomes dark.

What’s up in The Solar System?

The Planets in April

April belongs to Mercury. This is the best month of the year to see Mercury, the messenger of the gods, which will be visible all month in the early evening twilight, the very best time being from April 9 until the 25th. Mercury, which looks pinkish, will appear as the only ‘star’ in the western horizon.

Jupiter is the bright white ‘star’ that can be seen all evening in the south. Jupiter will be to the left of Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, although Jupiter is the much the brighter object.

Mars and Saturn are still visible in the morning sky while Venus is not visible at all as it is too close to the Sun.

Meteor Showers

The first major meteor shower since January can be seen this month. The Lyrids will peak on the night of April 22 and 23. When we see a meteor shower it is because the Earth is passing through a stream of dust left behind by a comet travelling around the Sun. In this case it is comet Thatcher, discovered in 1861.

Normally about 10 meteors per hour could be expected to be seen with the Lyrids, but unfortunately the full moon on the 22nd will be so bright that that it will drown out all but the brightest meteors.

The Moon in April

On the evening of April 16 the Moon is below Regulus.

On the evening of April 17 the Moon is below Jupiter.

Phases of the Moon for April

New Moon 7th, First Quarter 14th, Full Moon 22nd Last Quarter 30th

This month’s full moon is called the ‘Egg Moon’. As the daylight lengthens, chickens, ducks and geese begin to lay more eggs.

The next meeting of the Earby Astronomical Society will be at All Saints’ Church, Earby, tomorrow, from 7.30pm to 9pm. The talk will be entitled The Spring Sky and will be presented by Martin Lunn MBE FRAS.