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April 17: Perfect setup for the zodiacal light
This evening offers a lovely view as bright Venus moves into Taurus and is joined in the western sky by a delicate crescent Moon. Both hang beneath the sparkling star cluster M45, better known as the Pleiades or Seven Sisters.
An hour after sunset, blazing Venus cannot be missed, still 11° above the western horizon. Just to its lower right, some 6° away, is the Moon. Our satellite is now roughly one-and-a-half days old, with just 4 percent of its eastern limb directly illuminated by the Sun. You may notice that the entire disk is visible, however, as earthshine — sunlight bouncing off Earth — lights up the regions still in darkness. You’ve got plenty of time to enjoy the view, until the Moon sets just before 10 P.M. local daylight time.
Some 7° above Venus, the Pleiades will pop into view as the sky darkens. Sometimes confused with the Little Dipper (a much larger asterism located due north), this gaggle of young stars does appear to some observers to outline the shape of a tiny dipper or spoon. Covering roughly 110’ on the sky, it’s a gorgeous sight to the naked eye, through binoculars, or in a low-powered scope. You might even try peering at these young suns through your finder scope for a widefield view.
Sunrise: 6:17 A.M.
Sunset: 7:42 P.M.
Moonrise: 6:36 A.M.
Moonset: 9:44 P.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (4%)
*Times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset are given in local time from 40° N 90° W. The Moon’s illumination is given at 10 P.M. local time from the same location.
