Celestial events in the skies for the week of April 18 – 24, 2017 as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.
The Moon is in the domain of the morning stars, leaving the evenings free of moonlight and the time when amateur astronomers look for nebula, galaxies and other “deep sky” objects. And with your own eyes you can see the faintest stars and complete the outlines of constellations Leo, Virgo, the Big and Little Bears and more.
Tuesday, April 18
Good bye to the bright stars of Winter! Orion starts to nod toward the western horizon as it sets around 10:30 pm, taking with it the bright star patterns of Winter, including Taurus, Canis Major and Gemini.
Wednesday, April 19
Last Quarter is today with the Moon rising after 1 am and becoming a crescent in pre-dawn sky. On this 1971 date in space history, the Soviet Union launched the world’s first space station, called Salyut 1. It was occupied for 28 days by the three man crew of Soyuz 11. But an air leak in the cabin during reentry killed the cosmonauts, quietly suffocating them as their spaceship landed safely.
Thursday, April 20
On this 1972 date in space history, Apollo 16 safely landed on the Moon in a mountainous area called Descartes, bringing back 211 pounds of rocks and soil. John Young, 86, and Charlie Duke, 81, camped out for three days on the lunar surface, driving their Lunar Rover 17 miles during three, 7-hour exploration trips outside the safety of their moonship named Orion. Ken Mattingly, 81, circled the Moon in their mothership called Casper—the only ride back to home planet Earth.
Friday, April 21
In the north, the Big Dipper is visible in all its glory, its three stars of its handle arching to bright star Arcturus, speeding on to bright white star Spica with brilliant planet Jupiter above in the ancient a huge constellation Virgo the Virgin. The old amateur astronomer axiom is “arc to Arcturus, speed on to Spica.”
Saturday, April 22
Stargaze with amateur astronomers at Bays Mt. Park in Kingsport tonight from 8-10 pm at a free “Starwatch” program.
Sunday, April 23
Virgo the Virgin is a sprawling star pattern with only a couple dozen faint stars occupying her borders across most of the southern sky. It’s an ancient constellation idolized by the Greeks. Bright star Spica draws attention to Virgo, and for a few months Jupiter will be visiting the lady. By the way, with all the interesting names for females in today’s society, how about naming your baby Virgo? It seemed to work a few thousand years ago!
Monday, April 24
On this 1970 date in space history, China became the fifth space-faring nation by launching their first satellite. Today, China is trying to become a big player in space by escalating their manned program. They have already occupied two small space stations, landed an unmanned rover on the Moon and have announced plans to put Chinese “taikonauts” on the Moon in 10-15 years.