Easy objects for Spring 2017
The suggestions below are for mid-month in April @9:00pm, May @9:30pm, and June @10:00pm
The Moon
![](https://vtastro.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/The-moon-150x150.jpg)
1st quarter on: April 4th, May 2nd, June 1st
Full on: April 11th, May 10th, June 9th
3rd quarter on: April 19th, May 18th, June 17th
New: April 26th, May 25th , June 23rd
Moon phases can be found at: http://www.moonconnection.com/moon_phases_calendar.phtml
Constellations & Objects
Cassiopeia |
M52, M103, open clusters |
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Perseus |
Double Cluster between Perseus and Cassiopeia; variable star Algol, period of 2.9 days |
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Auriga |
M36, M37, M38, open clusters |
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Taurus |
Hyades cluster, the head of Taurus; Pleiades cluster, great with binoculars |
![](https://vtastro.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/The-Pleaides-M45-12-12-07-150x150.jpg) |
Gemini |
M35, open cluster |
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Orion |
M42, M43,diffuse nebulae |
![](https://vtastro.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/The-Orion-Nebula-M42-150x150.jpg) |
Cancer |
M44, open cluster |
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Ursa Major |
Mizar & Alcor, easy double star |
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Hercules |
M13, M92, globular clusters |
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Cygnus |
Alberio, two-color double star, the head of Cygnus the Swan; M29, M39 |
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Scorpius |
M4, globular cluster |
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Planets
Mars – bright reddish ‘star’ very low, about 10 degrees above the horizon, best in April |
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Jupiter – starts in April low in the SE, rises earlier each night throughout Spring and Summer |
![](https://vtastro.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Jupiter-1-150x150.jpg) |
Saturn – starts in April low in the SSE around 2:00am, in May high enough to view about midnight, June around 10:00pm; rises earlier each night throughout the Summer. |
![](https://vtastro.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Saturn-150x150.jpg) |
Venus – rises shortly before Sunrise in Spring, a little earlier each day. |
![](https://vtastro.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Venus-3-17-17-150x150.jpg) |