Saturday SkyWatch

Image of the Jewel Box Cluster.

Saturday 26th April 2025

Hello Stargazers, this is your

🌌 Saturday SkyWatch! 🌌

🌅 Sunset & Observatory Hours

  • Sunset: 5:34 PM
  • Nautical Sunset: 6:30 PM
  • Astronomical Sunset: 7:00 PM
    This Saturday we will be open from sunset till 9:30pm.

☁️ Weather & Viewing Conditions

Clear Outside Forecast (for viewing conditions and weather): https://clearoutside.com/forecast/-35.27/147.10?view=midday

B.O.M. Forecast for The Rock: http://www.bom.gov.au/places/nsw/the-rock/

To learn how to read the Clear Outside forecast page, follow this link: https://clearoutside.com/page/how_to_use/

🌙 Moon Phase

Tonight’s Moon is a Waning Crescent (4%) and will set at 4:22 PM. This means the Moon will set before the viewing period, so a great time for nebula and galaxy viewing!

🌟 Feature Object: Centaurus A (C 77)

Discovered in Paramatta NSW by the Scottish Astronomer, James Dunlop this galaxies fundamental properties are still being figured out, so it is uncertain whether it is more of a lenticular galaxy or a giant elliptical galaxy. Its current classification leans towards a Type II Seyfert Lenticular Galaxy with a starburst classification alongside it. Models suggest that Centaurus A is the result of a collision between a large elliptical galaxy and a small spiral galaxy that is ongoing, which is why its classification isn’t set in stone yet. It is only visible from the Southern Hemisphere and very low Northern latitudes so it is quite unique to our night sky!

ℹ️ Other Information

Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN) makes its closest approach on May 1st, but if you are trying for photographs, May 5th 6th and 7th are the best dates to try; just after sunset. In all instances find Aldebaran (the bright star in Taurus) and if Aldebaran is centred with 5° F.O.V. around the star, you should catch the comet in the photograph. If you have a wide or ultra-wide angle lens then you should be able to catch the comet, Aldebaran, and Jupiter all in the same shot!

As always, feel free to bring along a picnic blanket, some non-alcoholic beverages, and don’t forget your stargazing eyes for tonight.

🔭 In the Sky Tonight

Note that just because these objects are in the sky at the moment, you may not always see them. Visibility is dependent on weather, moon brightness, atmospheric conditions, and equipment parameters. Check the the weather and viewing conditions above, and if in doubt ask a friendly volunteer if you’re able to see an object in the night sky!

  • Prominent Constellations: Taurus (setting), Orion (setting), Canis Major, Gemini, Canis Minor, Cancer, Leo, Leo Minor, Virgo, Libra (rising), Bootes (rising), Scorpio (rising)

  • Bright Stars: Aldebaran (setting), Betelgeuse, Rigel, Pollux, Sirius, Castor, Procyon, Regulus, Spica, Arcturus, Antares (rising)

  • Nebula: Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070), Carinae Nebula (C 92), Prawn Nebula (IC 4628 rising), Rosette Nebula (C 49), Orion Nebula (M 42), De Mairan’s Nebula (M 43), Thor’s Helmet (NGC 2359), M78 Nebula, Flame Nebula (NGC 2024), Horsehead Nebula (IC 434), Robin’s Egg Nebula (NGC 1360 setting), Running Chicken Nebula (C 100), Statue of Liberty Nebula (NGC 3576).

  • Galaxies: Large Magellanic Cloud, Small Magellanic Cloud, Centaurus A (C 77), Antennae Galaxies (C 60 & C 61), Backwards Galaxy (NGC 4622), Bear Paw Galaxy (NGC 2537), Black Eye Galaxy (M 64), Butterfly Galaxies (NGC 4567 & NGC 4568), Circinus Galaxy (ESO 97-G13), Cocoon Galaxy (NGC 4490), NGC 4485 (Cocoon Galaxy pair), Coma Pinwheel Galaxy (M 99), Condor Galaxy (NGC 6872), Eye of God (NGC 1232 setting), Eye of Sauron (NGC 4151 rising), Meathook Galaxy (NGC 2442 & NGC 2443), Mice Galaxies (NGC 4676), Needle Galaxy (C 38), Penguin/Porpoise Galaxy (NGC 2936), Sombrero Galaxy (M 104), Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (M 83), Topsy-Turvy Galaxy (NGC 1313), Whale Galaxy (C 32).

  • Star Clusters: Pleiades (M 45 setting), Hyades (C 41 Setting), Coma Star Cluster (sits near the Gamma Comae Berenices star), Trapezium Cluster (HD 37020), Shoe Buckle Cluster (M 35), Pinwheel Cluster (M 36), Salt-and-Pepper Cluster (M 37), Starfish Cluster (M 38), Little Beehive Cluster (M 41), Beehive Cluster (M 44), Southern Pleiades (IC 2602), Omicron Velorum Cluster (C 85), Southern Beehive Cluster (C 96), Wishing-Well Cluster (C 91), Moth Wing Cluster (NGC 6281 Rising), Caroline’s Cluster (C 58), Jewel Box Cluster (NGC 4755), Pearl Cluster (C 97), Omega Centauri (C 80), 47 Tucanae (NGC 104), M3 Globular Cluster, M4 Globular Cluster (rising), M68 Globular Cluster, M80 Globular Cluster (rising).

  • Planets: Jupiter, Mars

🪐 Upcoming Astronomical Events for this week

📅 26th April: The Moon is in conjunction with Mercury

📅 27th April: Venus is at its brightest

📅 28th April: Moon is at Perigee (closest to Earth)

📅 29th April: Venus and Saturn are in Conjunction early in the morning

📅 1st May: Moon and Jupiter are in Conjunction, Vesta is in Opposition, and C/2025 F2 (SWAN) (comet) is at its closest approach.

As always, don’t forget to look up wherever you are!
– The TRRO Team