Man Stargazing

Moon Phases

Eye on the Night Sky, April 26, 2025

Saturday, April 26, 2025

Today:
High in the southwest this evening, as twilight fades after 9:00 PM, you’ll find the faint constellation Cancer, the Crab. While we associate Cancer the Crab with summer, due to its astrological connections, April is a wonderful time to see it. Look between the Twin stars of Gemini, and the star Regulus in Leo the Lion, for a faint, upside-down “Y” figure.

Sunday:
Due south this evening at 8:35 PM, the brightest star in Leo, the Lion, Regulus reigns above a large but much less prominent constellation, that of the Water Snake, named Hydra. The snake’s head appears as a collection of stars half-way between Regulus, and Procyon, midway up in the southwest. The snake’s body curves back and forth to the lower left.

Monday:
Barely past new, the barest of a crescent Moon will follow the setting sun toward the horizon in the west-northwest. Appearing shortly after, above the Moon, will be the Pleiades, or the Seven Sisters. Although they are faint, and not easy to see in the fading twilight or with the Moon nearby, the Moon is so thin it makes for a delightful sight this evening.

Start Chart:

Mars is on the move through the month, passing the “twin” stars of Gemini, perfectly aligned on the evening of the 10th.

January Start Chart

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