Shortly after sunset April 8, the waxing crescent Moon crosses the bright Pleiades star cluster. This spectacular evening occultation highlights a month featuring several worthy solar system targets. Both Mars and Saturn grace the evening sky. The Red Planet shines brightly in Gemini, while the ringed planet plies Leo and remains visible until shortly before dawn. In the early morning, nice views of Jupiter will be punctuated by fleeting streaks of light from the Lyrid meteor shower around April 22.
The Moon grazes the Pleiades
April 2008: Watch the Moon snuff out individual stars in the northern Pleiades.
