Kiss the Sky Tonight -- Month of April 2019
Big, beautiful spiral galaxy M101 is one of the last entries in Charles Messier's famous catalog, but definitely not one of the least. About 170,000 light years across, this galaxy is enormous -- almost twice the size of our own Milky Way galaxy. M101, also known as NGC 5457 and nicknamed the Pinwheel Galaxy, lies in the northern constellation, Ursa Major (The Great Bear), at a distance of about 21 million light-years from Earth. M101 was one of the original spiral galaxies observed by Lord Rosse's large 19th century telescope, the Leviathan of Parsontown. (The Leviathan of Parsonstown in Ireland was an historic reflecting telescope, 72 inches in aperture. It was the largest telescope in the world from 1845 until the construction of the 100 inch Hooker Telescope in California in 1917). (Credits: NASA, JPL - Caltech, and the Office of Public Outreach - STScI) (Image Credit: Adam Block, NOAO, AURA, NSF).
Kiss the Sky Tonight -- Month of April 2019
Welcome to the night sky report for April 2019 -- Your guide to the constellations, deep sky objects, planets, and celestial events that are observable during the month. Clear April nights are filled with starry creatures. Look for the Great Bear and Leo the Lion. You can also spot galaxies like M101, M81, and M82. The night sky is truly a celestial showcase. Get outside and explore its wonders from your own backyard… And let’s follow the advice of James Marshall Hendrix (apparently a fellow admirer of the heavens), who famously proclaimed "Excuse me while I kiss the sky."
Late in the evening, high in the northern sky, lies the Great Bear, Ursa Major. The constellation of Ursa Major contains the well known star pattern called the Big Dipper. It resembles a large pot with a handle. The two stars that make up the front side of the pot are called "pointer stars" because they point toward the star Polaris, also known as the North Star.
Polaris is a yellow supergiant star located about 400 light-years away in the constellation Ursa minor. It has two smaller companion stars, making it a triple-star system. It also varies in brightness, making it a special kind of star called a Cepheid variable star.
The North Star isn't the brightest star in the sky. But it can help you find your way and orient yourself nonetheless. Polaris sits more or less directly above Earth's north pole along its rotational axis. This means Polaris doesn't move very far over the course of the night, while the rest of the stars sweep out big circles as they rotate around the sky.
Its location above Earth's north rotational pole is pure coincidence. In fact, Polaris has not always been the North Star. Because Earth's axis rotates like a top (albeit very slowly), over thousands of years the pole points to different stars. Five thousand years ago, the North Star was Thuban, while in 13,000 years, it will be Vega. But since the pole rotates in a circle, in 26,000 years it will point toward Polaris once again.
Finding Polaris is easy on any clear night. Just find the Big Dipper. The two stars on the end of the Dipper's "cup" point the way to Polaris, which is the tip of the handle of the Little Dipper, or the tail of the little bear in the constellation Ursa Minor. Once you're facing toward Polaris, you know you're facing north, which can help you orient yourself any evening you're out stargazing.
The Big Dipper overflows with interesting stars and deep sky objects. The stars Mizar and Alcor make up a double star system that can be seen without a telescope. In ancient times, when Mizar and Alcor were even closer together, they were used as a test of keen eyesight.
M81 and M82 are a magnificent pair of galaxies, showpieces of the northern night sky. M82 has an irregular shape, bestowed by a collision with its larger neighbor, M81.
Turning to the south, we see Leo (the Lion) heralding the coming of spring. In Greek mythology, Leo is the great beast slain by Hercules. The star Denebola, which in Arabic means tail, represents exactly that. The bright star Regulus is the heart of the Lion.
Leo has several galaxies in his belly. M65, M66, and NGC3628 make up the "Leo Triplet," a lovely grouping of galaxies easily seen with a telescope.
Close by is another group. M95 and M96 are large spiral galaxies. Between the Big Dipper and the head of Leo are three pairs of bright stars known to ancient Arab astronomers as "The Three Leaps of the Gazelle."
On April 8th, look low in the west after sunset to find the slim crescent of the four-day-old Moon with some companions. To the right of the Moon is the Pleiades star cluster. Above and to the right is Mars. And above and to the left is the red giant star Aldebaran. By the next evening, the Moon has moved a bit higher in the sky and hangs here, above Aldebaran.
Near the end of April, the Moon pays a visit to Jupiter and Saturn.
Currently, the solar system's two largest planets can be found near the constellation Sagittarius in the morning sky. Usually imagined as a centaur wielding a bow and arrow, Sagittarius also contains a little pattern of stars, called an asterism, which looks a bit like a teapot.
The night sky is always a celestial showcase. Explore its wonders from your own backyard.
The following Deep Sky Objects are found in constellations that peak during the month. Some can be viewed with a small telescope, but the majority will require a moderate to large telescope. The following is adapted from my personal viewing list: "The Guy Pirro 777 Best and Brightest Deep Sky Objects."
Constellation: Canes Venatici
NGC 4111 Galaxy Herschel 400 H195-1
NGC 4143 Galaxy Herschel 400 H54-4
NGC 4151 Galaxy Herschel 400 H165-1
- NGC 4145 Galaxy - Paired with H165-1
NGC 4214 Galaxy Herschel 400 H95-1
NGC 4242 Galaxy P214
NGC 4244 Galaxy C26
NGC 4258 Galaxy M106 Herschel 400 H43-5
NGC 4346 Galaxy Herschel 400 H210-1
NGC 4395 Galaxy P71
NGC 4449 Galaxy C21, Herschel 400 H213-1
NGC 4485 Galaxy Herschel 400 H197-1 Paired with H198-1
NGC 4490 Galaxy Herschel 400 H198-1 Cocoon Galaxy Paired with H197-1
NGC 4618 Galaxy Herschel 400 H178-1
NGC 4631 Galaxy C32, Herschel 400 H42-4 Whale Galaxy
- NGC 4627 Galaxy - Paired with C32
NGC 4656 Galaxy Herschel 400 H176-1 Hockey Stick Galaxy
- NGC 4657 Galaxy - Interacting with H176-1
NGC 4736 Galaxy M94
NGC 4800 Galaxy Herschel 400 H211-1
NGC 5005 Galaxy C29, Herschel 400 H96-1 Paired with H97-1
NGC 5033 Galaxy Herschel 400 H97-1 Paired with H96-1
NGC 5055 Galaxy M63 Sunflower Galaxy
NGC 5194 Galaxy M51 Whirlpool Galaxy
NGC 5195 Galaxy Herschel 400 H186-1 Paired with M51
NGC 5272 Globular Cluster M3
NGC 5273 Galaxy Herschel 400 H98-1
- NGC 5276 Galaxy - Paired with H98-1
NGC 5371 Galaxy P215
Constellation: Coma Berenices
NGC 4147 Globular Cluster Herschel 400 H19-1
NGC 4150 Galaxy Herschel 400 H73-1
NGC 4192 Galaxy M98
NGC 4203 Galaxy Herschel 400 H175-1
NGC 4245 Galaxy Herschel 400 H74-1
NGC 4251 Galaxy Herschel 400 H89-1
NGC 4254 Galaxy M99
NGC 4274 Galaxy Herschel 400 H75-1
NGC 4278 Galaxy Herschel 400 H90-1
NGC 4293 Galaxy Herschel 400 H5-5
NGC 4314 Galaxy Herschel 400 H76-1
NGC 4321 Galaxy M100
NGC 4350 Galaxy Herschel 400 H86-2
- NGC 4340 Galaxy - Paired with H86-2
NGC 4382 Galaxy M85
NGC 4394 Galaxy Herschel 400 H55-2 Paired with M85
NGC 4414 Galaxy Herschel 400 H77-1
NGC 4419 Galaxy Herschel 400 H113-1
NGC 4448 Galaxy Herschel 400 H91-1
NGC 4450 Galaxy Herschel 400 H56-2
NGC 4459 Galaxy Herschel 400 H161-1
NGC 4473 Galaxy Herschel 400 H114-2
NGC 4477 Galaxy Herschel 400 H115-2
- NGC4479 Galaxy - Paired with H115-2
NGC 4494 Galaxy Herschel 400 H83-1
NGC 4501 Galaxy M88
NGC 4548 Galaxy M91, Herschel 400 H120-2
NGC 4559 Galaxy C36, Herschel 400 H92-1
NGC 4565 Galaxy C38, Herschel 400 H24-5
NGC 4651 Galaxy P222
NGC 4689 Galaxy Herschel 400 H128-2
NGC 4725 Galaxy Herschel 400 H84-1
NGC 4826 Galaxy M64 Blackeye Galaxy
NGC 4889 Galaxy C35
NGC 5024 Globular Cluster M53
NGC 5053 Globular Cluster P78
Constellation: Corvus
NGC 4027 Galaxy Herschel 400 H296-2
NGC 4038 Galaxy C60, Herschel 400 H28.1-4 Antennae Galaxy (North)
NGC 4039 Galaxy Herschel 400 H28.2-4 Antennae Galaxy (South)
NGC 4361 Planetary Nebula Herschel 400 H65-1
Constellation: Virgo
NGC 4030 Galaxy Herschel 400 H121-1
NGC 4179 Galaxy Herschel 400 H9-1
NGC 4216 Galaxy Herschel 400 H35-1
NGC 4261 Galaxy Herschel 400 H139-2
- NGC 4264 Galaxy - Paired with H139-2
NGC 4273 Galaxy Herschel 400 H569-2
- NGC 4268 Galaxy - Paired with H569-2
NGC 4281 Galaxy Herschel 400 H573-2
- NGC 4277 Galaxy - Paired with H573-2
NGC 4303 Galaxy M61, Herschel 400 H139-1
NGC 4365 Galaxy Herschel 400 H30-1
NGC 4371 Galaxy Herschel 400 H22-1
NGC 4374 Galaxy M84
NGC 4406 Galaxy M86
NGC 4429 Galaxy Herschel 400 H65-2
NGC 4435 Galaxy Herschel 400 H28.1-1 Eyes of Markarian’s Chain (North)
NGC 4438 Galaxy Herschel 400 H28.2-1 Eyes of Markarian’s Chain (South)
NGC 4442 Galaxy Herschel 400 H156-2
NGC 4472 Galaxy M49
NGC 4478 Galaxy Herschel 400 H124-2
- NGC 4476 Galaxy - Paired with H124-2
NGC 4486 Galaxy M87 – Virgo A Galaxy
NGC 4526 Galaxy Herschel 400 H31-1
NGC 4527 Galaxy Herschel 400 H37-2
NGC 4535 Galaxy Herschel 400 H500-2
NGC 4536 Galaxy Herschel 400 H2-5
NGC 4546 Galaxy Herschel 400 H160-1
NGC 4550 Galaxy Herschel 400 H36-1
- NGC 4551 Galaxy - Paired with H36-1
NGC 4552 Galaxy M89
NGC 4569 Galaxy M90
NGC 4570 Galaxy Herschel 400 H32-1
NGC 4579 Galaxy M58
NGC 4594 Galaxy M104, Herschel 400 H43-1 Sombrero Galaxy
NGC 4596 Galaxy Herschel 400 H24-1
NGC 4621 Galaxy M59
NGC 4636 Galaxy Herschel 400 H38-2
NGC 4643 Galaxy Herschel 400 H10-1
NGC 4649 Galaxy M60
- NGC 4647 Galaxy - Paired with M60
NGC 4654 Galaxy Herschel 400 H126-2
NGC 4660 Galaxy Herschel 400 H71-2
NGC 4665 Galaxy Herschel 400 H142-1
NGC 4666 Galaxy Herschel 400 H15-1
NGC 4697 Galaxy C52, Herschel 400 H39-1
NGC 4698 Galaxy Herschel 400 H8-1
NGC 4699 Galaxy Herschel 400 H129-1
NGC 4753 Galaxy Herschel 400 H16-1
NGC 4754 Galaxy Herschel 400 H25-1 Paired with H75-2
NGC 4762 Galaxy Herschel 400 H75-2 Paired with H25-1
NGC 4781 Galaxy Herschel 400 H134-1
NGC 4845 Galaxy Herschel 400 H536-2
NGC 4856 Galaxy Herschel 400 H68-1
NGC 4866 Galaxy Herschel 400 H162-1
NGC 4900 Galaxy Herschel 400 H143-1
NGC 4958 Galaxy Herschel 400 H130-1
NGC 4995 Galaxy Herschel 400 H42-1
NGC 5054 Galaxy Herschel 400 H513-2
NGC 5068 Galaxy P203
NGC 5247 Galaxy P67
NGC 5363 Galaxy Herschel 400 H6-1 Paired with H534-2
NGC 5364 Galaxy Herschel 400 H534-2 Paired with H6-1
NGC 5566 Galaxy Herschel 400 H144-1
- NGC 5560 Galaxy - Paired with H144-1
- NGC 5569 Galaxy - Paired with H144-1
NGC 5576 Galaxy Herschel 400 H146-1
NGC 5634 Globular Cluster Herschel 400 H70-1
NGC 5746 Galaxy Herschel 400 H126-1
- NGC 5740 Galaxy - Paired with H126-1
NGC 5846 Galaxy Herschel 400 H128-1
For more information:
Northern Latitudes:
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/2295/whats-up-march-2019-skywatching-from-nasa/
http://hubblesite.org/videos/tonights_sky
https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/planner.cfm
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTiv_XWHnOZrT_ppDGiT__fI3yjD4t7dI
https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/skyreport
https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/skyreport/whats-new
http://outreach.as.utexas.edu/public/skywatch.html
http://griffithobservatory.org/sky/skyreport.html
http://www.beckstromobservatory.com/whats-up-in-tonights-sky-2/
http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky/
http://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/physicsoutreach/engagement/the-sky-tonight/
http://www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk/learn/astro/nightsky/maps
https://www.astromart.com/news/search?category_id=3&q=kiss+the+sky&from=&to
Equatorial Latitudes:
http://www.caribbeanastronomy.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=30&Itemid=51
Southern Latitudes:
https://www.stardome.org.nz/astronomy/star-charts/
Astromart News Archives:
https://www.astromart.com/news/search?category_id=3&q=.
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