If you want to catch this comet, do it soon, because it will be too close to the Sun in the sky to observable after mid-April, and later when it makes its closest approach to Earth, it will be on its way outward from the Sun and growing fainter. So you'll want a clear view toward the horizon, and be looking for it as twilight ends. The comet will be just beneath the Moon, and just right of Jupiter, but you'll have to be quick, as it drops below 10 degrees elevation an hour after sunset and then sets an hour later. This is also a good night to have a look for comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, which has been getting brighter, and is easily observable with binoculars or a small telescope, especially if you can get away from bright city lights. Being just a couple of days after its 'new moon' phase, the Moon shows only 7% of its illuminated surface on this evening, making for a beautiful crescent shining there with the giant planet Jupiter. Jupiter's easy to identify as a bright, unflickering light, low in the west following sunset, all month. Now, on the evening of April 10th you can find the Moon with Jupiter in the west. They're at their closest on April 10th and 11th, but still really close in the sky the whole second week of April. Taking a look about half an hour before sunrise, you can find them low in the east, about 10 degrees above the horizon. Some easy-to-spot planets, there's still time to observe comet 12P, and how to enjoy this month's solar eclipse if you're not in the path of totality.įor several days in the first half of April, early risers can watch Mars and Saturn rising together in the morning. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltch What's Up for April? Sky chart showing Mars rising with Saturn during the second week of April. Comet 12P is visible with binoculars or a small telescope about 6 degrees below the Moon, just below and to the right of Jupiter.Īll month - Jupiter is a brilliant, steady light low in the western sky following sunset. They're closest on April 10 & 11 – about half a degree apart, or the width of the Full Moon.)Īpril 10 - Find the slim lunar crescent (only 7% illuminated) hanging above brilliant Jupiter in the west after sunset. The amount of the Sun covered by the Moon at maximum eclipse depends on your distance from the path of totality.Īpril 8 - 12 – Mars and Saturn rise together in the hour or so preceding sunrise. Outside the path of totality, the rest of the continental U.S. areas outside totality will enjoy a partial eclipse and can join NASA's live eclipse webcast! April Skywatching HighlightsĪpril 8 – Total solar eclipse across the U.S., as the Moon's shadow moves from Texas northward through Maine. A total solar eclipse sweeps across the U.S.

Sky and telescope eclipse 2017