This week's skies serve up a celestial mix of moon magic, galaxy hunting, and a potentially dazzling aurora show. The waning gibbous moon dives into Scorpius, briefly hiding the bright stars Pi Scorpii and Antares. Dark evening skies provide prime conditions to track down deep-sky treasures like the Whirlpool and Pinwheel galaxies near the Big Dipper.
And if that's not enough to get you outside, how about northern lights? A rare solar double-blast could spark auroras visible well into mid-latitudes.
Here's what to watch for and how to make the most of it!
Look southeast late tonight to find the waning gibbous moon near the claw stars of Scorpius. In the early morning hours, it will briefly occult Pi Scorpii for some viewers.
With the moon out of the way, use binoculars or a small telescope to track down the stunning Whirlpool (M51) and Pinwheel (M101) galaxies near the Big Dipper's handle.
Ursa Major rides high tonight! Use Dubhe and Phecda to find the bright Bode's Galaxy (M81) and the cigar-shaped M82—visible together in wide-field telescopes.
The moon reaches its third quarter phase at 9:35 p.m. EDT. It rises around midnight and lingers into the morning sky, kicking off a week of dark evening skies for deep-sky viewing.
Mercury reaches its farthest point from the sun in the morning sky. Best seen before dawn from the Southern Hemisphere, but a challenge for Northern observers.
My favorite moon phase this week will be the striking last quarter moon, also known as the third quarter moon on April 20. The last quarter moon usually rises around midnight and sets around noon local time, making it an interesting skywatching target both at night and in the day!
Feeling inspired to take a more in-depth moonlit tour of our rocky companion? Our ultimate guide to observing the moon will help you plan your next skywatching venture, whether it be exploring the lunar seas, mountainous terrain, or the many craters that blanket the landscape. You can also see where astronauts, rovers and landers have ventured with our Apollo landing sites observing guide.
Heads up, aurora chasers! Earth's magnetic field is about to get a one-two punch from the sun — and the result could be an impressive show of northern lights stretching into mid-latitudes.
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center issued a geomagnetic storm watch on April 16 as not one but two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are expected to hit Earth's magnetic field in quick succession!
Photographer Robbie Pesiwarissa (Robbiesydney Photography) captured the beauty of the Pink Moon from a park in Sydney, Australia.
"The tranquil ambiance of Archibald Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park Sydney, coupled with the majestic presence of Saint Mary's Cathedral, created a perfect backdrop for capturing the beauty of the micromoon," Pesiwarissa told Space.com in an email.
"The blend of nature, architecture, and celestial wonder made it a moment to remember, a serene pause in the bustling life of Sydney."
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