Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog

Ephemeris for Wednesday, April 3rd.  The sun will rise at 7:19.  It’ll be up for 12 hours and 53 minutes, setting at 8:12.   The moon, at last quarter today, will rise at 3:57 tomorrow morning.

It’s time to check out a comet and the two remaining bright planets for this week.  Comet PanSTARRS is in the northwest, moving away from the sun, and getting a little higher in the sky as it moves northward rather than eastward.  The comet will set at 11:22 p.m.  The comet is now down to near 5th magnitude, strictly a binocular object.  It’s also visible in the morning, rising at 3:04 a.m.  Jupiter is located in the constellation of Taurus and is in the west during the evening.  It will set at 1:16 a.m.  The other bright planet Saturn will rise at 10:13 p.m. in the east southeast.  It’s located in eastern Virgo. It will pass due south at 3:26 a.m.  Both planets are wonderful sights in telescopes.  Saturn is the most beautiful of planets with its rings.

Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan.  They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Comet PanSTARRS at 9:30 p.m. for the period April 3 through 9, 2013. Created using Cartes du Ciel.

Jupiter with the setting constellations of winter at 10 p.m. on April 3, 2013. Created using Stellarium.

Saturn rising at 11:30 p.m. on April 3, 2013. Created using Stellarium.

Comet PanSTARRS in the morning at 5:45 for the period April 4 through 10, 2013. Created using Cartes du Ciel.