Man Stargazing

Moon Phases

Eye on the Night Sky, April 26, 2024

Friday, April 26, 2024

Today:
Just before 11 o’clock this evening, the red star Antares will rise in the southeast, remaining low as moves toward the right. About 15 minutes later, the waning gibbous moon will follow the same trajectory. The pair will crest low in the south near 3 o’clock, lowering into the south-southwest just before dawn.

Saturday:
Facing north just after sunset, it might require an uncomfortable gaze to look nearly straight overhead, in order to see Ursa Major, “The Great Bear,” which appears to be hanging upside down. If you check back at around 2:30 AM, the bear seems to be diving toward the northwestern horizon. But by the predawn twilight, the bear looks like it’s coming in for a soft landing in the north.

Sunday:
Orion is now very low in the western skies, by the end of twilight, his feet along the horizon by 9:00 PM, with his belt only visible with a perfect view to the west and southwest. Orion’s stars are among the brightest in the sky because they are relatively close by. Our Sun is among millions in a minor band of stars in the Milky Way Galaxy called the Orion Spur.

This program is a partnership between the Fairbanks Museum and Vermont Public.