Starwatch Newsletter Minnesota Starwatch is a tape-recorded message describing the night sky in the Midwest, which can be called by telelphone number (612) 624-2001 It is updated montly, and is produced by the Department of Astronomy, University of Minnesota 116 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Hello, this is Minnesota Starwatch for April 2001.

The evening sky in April is taken over by the wild animals. The domestic animals, like Taurus the Bull and the two dogs, Canis major and Canis minor, are dropping away in the west after sunset along with their companions Orion and Gemini. Prominent in the spring sky, especially in the north and east, are the Lynx, Hydra the sea serpent, and two of the brightest animal constellations, Leo the lion and Ursa Major, the great bear. Both Leo and Ursa major have their companions, Leo minor, the little lion, and Ursa minor, the little bear. The little bear is the most important constellation for all of you to find, because it includes Polaris, the north star. The bears are more commonly known as the big dipper and the little dipper, and by following the pointer stars at the end of the big dipper, you can learn to find Polaris easily. It is at the end of the handle of the little dipper. Being able to find Polaris could save your life if you ever got lost with no other way to orient yourself. Leo is most easily spotted by its great sickle, or loop of stars which is the lion's mane, with a handle, or straight section, which is the lion's front leg.

Meanwhile in April skies, Venus has moved from the evening star to become the morning star. See if you can see the arch of its crescent. At this time Venus is only partially lit as seen from the earth, so it looks like a tiny version of the crescent moon. In the evening Jupiter and Saturn are still bright planets; they are moving to the west along with Taurus. Mars rises late, just before midnight. Look for it in the south-west before dawn.

Full moon is on the 7th, and new moon is on the 23rd. Look for the new crescent moon on the 25th or 26th near Jupiter and Saturn.

Friday night telescope viewing begins at 8pm. Please call 626-0034 for more information.

The Minneapolis Planetarium offers a wide variety of programs for all ages. For more information, call (612) 630-6150.

For those interested in the Minnesota Astronomical Society, call (651) 649-4861 for information on their upcoming events.

Minnesota Starwatch is available online at http://www.astro.umn.edu/Outreach/pub_out.html.

This has been Minnesota Starwatch, produced by the University of Minnesota Astronomy Department in cooperation with WCCO Weather Center.

Last Updated: Thu Mar 22 11:55:43 2001