Downside of clocks changing

We’re nearing the start of the last month until autumn in which, according to Craigie regular Ken Kennedy, sightings of fainter objects in the sky are likely to be possible.

The genial Dundee Astronomical Society stalwart tells Craigie: “The sun continues to be active and this may result in a few more auroral displays before bright summer nights make such observations difficult or impossible.

“On the last day of March we enter Daylight Saving Time so darkness falls an hour later. At the beginning of the month sunset is at 7.51pm and by the end of April it is an hour later at 8.51pm; this gives us shorter observing evenings as true darkness does not occur until around 10pm.”

Looking ahead to the prospects for stargazers in April, Mr Kennedy says: “The winter constellations have been banished towards the west with Orion’s belt and the bright orange star Betelgeuse setting in the west at about 10pm.

“Gemini and Auriga are also well towards the west, but at rather a higher elevation, and Taurus, Perseus and Andromeda decorate the north-western horizon. Leo is still prominent high towards the south and overhead is Ursa Major, marked by the seven stars of the Plough.

“The bright and rather isolated star towards the south-east is Arcturus of the fainter constellation Boötes, and is followed in the east by the crown shape of Corona Borealis and then Hercules. In the northeast, the bright star Vega is the first sign of the returning Summer Triangle which becomes more prominent over the next few months.”

Lamenting the disappearance of lasting darkness as we move into spring, the Brought Ferry dweller continues: “It is a pity the nights are shortening and becoming brighter as April is one of the best months to see the clusters of galaxies which exist around Leo and, slightly to its east, those in Coma Berenices and Canes Venatici.

“Both are faint constellations not easily seen in brightening evenings, but Canes Venatici is home to a few brighter galaxies, not the least of which is the Whirlpool Galaxy or Messier 51, discovered by Charles Messier in 1773.

“This is a glorious spiral galaxy which is interacting with a smaller galaxy known as NGC 5195. The smaller of the two may well have passed through the larger one 50 to 100 million years ago and is now behind Messier 51.

“Under ideal conditions it is possible to see Messier 51 and its companion with binoculars, but it really requires a four to five-inch aperture telescope to get an idea of their shape; photographic images bring out the spiral structure clearly.”

Look out for Ken’s rundown of potential lunar and planetary highlights in the April skies ahead in tomorrow’s Craigie.