WHAT’S UP?

TUESDAY, APRIL 17: The ringed planet Saturn will rise over the eastern mountains after 1 a.m. Most any telescope will reveal the beautiful ring system. Because of its size, the solar system’s second largest planet will still put on quite a show even though it is now at aphelion, the farthest point in its orbit from the Sun.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18: A nice backdrop augments any picture, and the Moon doesn’t like to miss a bet. This evening it will traverse the large Hyades open star cluster, posing in the midst of the stars of this beautiful gathering. Being at a modest waxing crescent phase, our bright neighbour will not drown out its surrounding attendants either.

FRIDAY, APRIL 20: Those who enjoy special features in the night sky will be looking forward to the very bright appearance of Mars in late July. This opposition takes place not far from the planet’s perihelion, the nearest point in its orbit to the Sun and the Earth. By July 31 it will be “only” 57.6 million kilometres away, which will make it the brightest conjunction since 2003.

SUNDAY, APRIL 22: For lovers of meteor showers, this year's Lyrids will not be seriously challenged by the waning crescent Moon. The best opportunity to view the “shooting stars” will be from around 11 p.m. to dawn as the radiant in the constellation Lyra, not far from bright Vega, climbs higher into the eastern sky. Also, this is First Quarter Moon night with our half illuminated neighbour posing just below a fuzzy patch in the sky. This is the Praesepe open star cluster, better known as the “Beehive” Cluster or Messier 44. Binoculars or a low power telescope will bring the individual cluster stars into sight.

This is a free schedule of upcoming celestial events compiled by the Okanagan Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.