Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog

Ephemeris for Wednesday, April 17th.  The sun rises at 6:54.  It’ll be up for 13 hours and 35 minutes, setting at 8:30.   The moon, 1 day before first quarter, will set at 2:49 tomorrow morning.

It’s time to check out the two remaining bright planets for this week.  I’m no longer going to cover Comet PanSTARRS here, since it has dropped below naked eye visibility, but I will provide finder charts in the Ephemeris blog at bobmoler.wordpress.com for the next few weeks.    Jupiter is located in the constellation of Taurus, above the V shape of stars, the face of the bull and is in the west during the evening.  It will set at 12:27 a.m.  The other bright planet Saturn will rise at 9:13 p.m. in the east southeast.  It’s located in eastern Virgo. It will pass due south at 2:27 a.m.  Both planets are wonderful sights in telescopes.  Jupiter with its cloud bands and moons, Saturn with those fantastic rings.

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

Addendum

Jupiter and the setting stars of winter at 10 p.m., April 17, 2013. Created using Stellarium.

Saturn rising with the bright stars of late spring at 10 p.m., April 17, 2013. Created using Stellarium.

Comet PanSTARRS is moving through Cassiopeia from 04/17/13 to 4/23/13 at 11 p.m. low in the north north-east. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts). It requires binoculars or telescope to spot.