Look for the tiny constellation Canes Venatici the Hunting Dogs – and its brightest star Cor Caroli – behind the handle of the Big Dipper. Cor Caroli is the brightest star in the constellation Canes Venatici the Hunting Dogs. As such, this star is also called Alpha Canum Venaticorum. This star and Chara, Canes Venatici’s… Continue reading Cor Caroli, named for the heart of a king
Tag: Tonight
Leo loses his tail. We gain a constellation
Tonight’s chart shows the sky in April high to the south around mid-evening. To the upper left of the constellation Leo the Lion are dozens of very faint stars. They make up the constellation Coma Berenices, otherwise known as Berenice’s Hair. You need a dark sky to appreciate the constellation Coma Berenices. If you have… Continue reading Leo loses his tail. We gain a constellation
Star-hop to the Coma star cluster
Our chart at the top of this post shows the constellation Leo the Lion highest up for the night at roughly 9 to 10 p.m. local time (10 to 11 p.m. local daylight saving time). That’s the time on your clock no matter where you are on the globe. Long ago, the Coma star cluster… Continue reading Star-hop to the Coma star cluster
Use the Big Dipper to find the Little Dipper
So you say you can find the Big Dipper, but not the Little Dipper? This post is for you. Here’s the view northward on April evenings. At present the Big Dipper is high in the north during the evening hours. Notice the two outer stars in the bowl of the Big Dipper. These two stars… Continue reading Use the Big Dipper to find the Little Dipper
Watch for Venus at dawn, Mars at nightfall
In late March and early April 2019, the waning crescent moon will be sweeping past the brightest planet, Venus. From mid-northern latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, the pair will be gracing your eastern sky an hour or so before sunrise. From the Southern Hemisphere, the view is much better, with Venus rising a few hours… Continue reading Watch for Venus at dawn, Mars at nightfall