Sunrise Sunset

Fri., April 8 5:13 6:14

Sat., April 9 5:11 6:15

Sun., April 10 5:10 6:16

Mon., April 11 5:08 6:17

Tues., April 12 5:07 6:18

Wed., April 13 5:05 6:19

Thurs., April 14 5:03 6:20

Fri., April 15 5:02 6:21

The moon has appeared higher in our western sky over the last few days. Tonight, the crescent moon appears in the zodiacal constellation Taurus, a constellation we associate with winter but now only appears for a short time at the end of the day and the start of night.

The moon is first quarter on Sunday night and appears in the zodiacal constellation Gemini.

The moon continues to dominate the early evening sky. By Wednesday the moon is gibbous, not far from the zodiacal constellation Leo.

Orion

Say goodbye to one of winter’s most popular constellations, Orion, the hunter. Orion now appears in the southern and southwestern sky after sunset. The constellation, which dominated the skies for months, has moved into a far less prominent place. The three stars that mark the belt of the hunter are now in the glare of twilight. By the time the night has darkened, Orion is sinking below the western horizon.

Orion’s neighbors are also sinking into the west. Capella, the brightest star in Auriga, appears above Orion. Sirius, the brightest star in Canis Major, is just to the east of the bottom of Orion. Sirius is near the horizon. As spring gets a better foothold on our days and nights, these winter stars slip away.

M.A.L.