Adrian Dening's Stars Over Somerset

Thursday, 17 April 2025 20:10

Monday 21st to Sunday 27th April 2025

If you are an early riser on Monday morning 21st, a very bright planet Venus pops her head above the horizon to the east at 5am. The planet will be shining at a magnitude of around -4.7 so very obvious to spot.

In exactly the same direction, Mercury puts in an appearance from 5.40am, shining at a magnitude of +0.5 so again, it should be easy to locate. Please don't be tempted to use your telescope though, as the Sun will be rising shortly afterwards.

On Monday 21st, Mercury reaches is greatest western elongation, or in other words, its greatest visual separation from the Sun.

Tuesday 22nd is the time of the annual Lyrid meteor shower, but the actual peak is around 2pm when it will be daylight, so it's best to look for those elusive shooting stars on the Tuesday evening. By 10pm, Vega, which is the alpha star in the constellation of Lyra, will have risen above the horizon towards the north east. The radiant point of the meteor shower will be a little to the right of Vega.

If you fancy another early morning, look towards the east at 5am on Friday 25th. Venus will be an easy spot again, with a 10%-lit waning crescent Moon just below it. A little further below and to the right of that, Saturn should be visible at a magnitude of +0.8 but once again, please don't bother with your telescope, as that pesky Sun will be coming up and you must never risk catching (even a momentary glimpse) of it in the eyepiece!