Interesting things that Bellatrix Orionis is hoping to observe.
Visual guide from Hubble
Planets
Mercury – can be found in the constellation of Pisces. It is best viewed on Friday 1 April at 20:20BST (19:20UT) and will be at magnitude +2.4.
Venus – can be found in the constellation of Aquaris. It is best placed to view on Friday 1 April at 06:15BST (05:15UT) and is magnitude -3.8.
Mars – Can be found in the constellation of Pisces and is best placed to view on Saturday 30 April just before sunrise.
Jupiter – can be found in the constellation of Pisces. It is best placed for viewing on Saturday 30 April just before sunrise.
Saturn – can be found in the constellation of Virgo. It is best placed to view on Monday 4 April at 01:00BST (Midnight UT), its at magnitude +0.3 .
Uranus – Not visible this month.
Neptune – Not visible this month.
Dwarf Planets
Pluto – Can be found in the constellation of Sagittarius during morning.
Ceres – Very low in the morning sky making it almost impossible to observe.
Eris – Is in conjunction with the Sun.
Makemake – only visible with a CCD camera during early evening.
Haumea – At opposition on Thursday 7 April.
Sunday 3 April
New Moon at 15:00BST (14:00UT).
Monday 4 April
Saturn is at opposition at midnight.
Tuesday 5 April
Parthenope (Asteroid 11) is at opposition (magnitude +9.9).
Wednesday 6 April
Saturn will be in conjunction with the Sun at 15:00BST.
Thursday 7 April
Dwarf planet Haumea is at opposition (magnitude +17.3).
Monday 11 April
First quarter Moon.
Tuesday 12 April
Nemausa (Asteroid 51) is at opposition (magnitude +17.3).
Wednesday 13 April
Using your ‘scope, see if you can spot Dione (Saturns moon) as it passes against the south pole of Saturn between 03:00 and 04:00BST (02:00 and 03:00UT).
Friday 15 April
If you missed Dione passing against Saturn’s south pole aim your telescope as it happens again today at 21:10BST (20:10UT). Rhea can also be seen nearby.
Saturday 16 April
Saturn is visible above the full Moon. To the naked eye it will appear as a +0.3 magnitude star.
Monday 18 April
Full Moon.
Tuesday 19 April
Mercury and Mars in conjunction, but due to both planets being close to the Sun it will be exceptionally difficult to see.
Friday 22 April
It’s the peak of the April Lyrids meteor shower, but unfortunately the Moon will make it difficult to see them.
Monday 25 April
Last quarter Moon.
Saturday 30 April
If you’re an early riser (or late to bed) see if you can spot five planets (Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars and Uranus) and the Moon before sunrise.
