Sky Guide April 2016

What to look out, and up, for in April 2016!


For the beginners this month Ralph takes a look at the Leo Lion
who leaps across the sky all April. Leo hosts some nice colour
contrasting binary stars (one with a gas giant planet of its own)
and some galaxies to hunt down.


Next Jeni rounds up the planets that are visible in December:
Jupiter Mars and Mercury at one of its most favourable viewing
opportunities. The moon makes a not-to-be-missed passage through
the Hyades Cluster on 10th April. And we round off with the Lyrid
meteor shower and a last gasp chance of comet Catalina.


As spring is galaxy season, for the deep sky challenge Paul slews
a scope through Virgo in a hunt for entire galaxies that can be
seen with amateur telescopes. While the constellation of Virgo is
quite indistinct it harbours a wealth of elliptical and spiral
galaxies, culminating with the unique treat, Markarian’s Chain.