Star Almanack
Alexander Ferrari Miller

ISO 2025-W17

Week begins: Monday, April 21, 2025

Notation:

Calendar

DateZodiac dayEvents
Mon, Apr 21, 2025♉ 3
🌗 Last Quarter — 01:35:34 UTC
Wolf 359 (CN Leonis) — Telescope — Tropical Spring
Tue, Apr 22, 2025♉ 4
Alkes (α Crt) — Binoculars 4 — Tropical Spring
Wed, Apr 23, 2025♉ 5
Merak (β UMa) — Naked eye 2 — Northern Spring
Lalande 21185 (Gliese 411) — Binoculars — Northern Spring
Dubhe (α UMa) — Naked eye 2 — Northern Spring
Thu, Apr 24, 2025♉ 6
Finest NGC 56 / NGC 3521 · MCG 0-28-30 — Telescope 10 — Tropical Spring
C91 / NGC 3532 — Telescope 3 — Southern Spring
Fri, Apr 25, 2025♉ 7
M108 — Telescope 10 — Northern Spring
β Crt — Binoculars 4 — Tropical Spring
Sat, Apr 26, 2025♉ 8
M97 — Telescope 10 — Northern Spring
Sun, Apr 27, 2025♉ 9
🌑 New Moon — 19:31:09 UTC
Finest NGC 57 / NGC 3607 · MCG 3-29-20 — Telescope 11 — Tropical Spring
M65 — Telescope 9 — Tropical Spring
C40 / NGC 3626 — Telescope 11 — Tropical Spring
M66 — Telescope 9 — Tropical Spring
Finest NGC 58 / NGC 3628 · Arp 317 — Telescope 10 — Tropical Spring

Weekly Solar-System Ephemeris

Snapshot: Week begins April 21, 2025, 00:00 UTC.

(-90° to +90°; defaults +45°, 21:00 LAT)

Notation:
Body☉︎☽︎☿︎♀︎♂︎♃︎♄︎
Ecliptic♉︎ 1°09′
β −0°00′		♒︎ 0°21′
β −4°21′		♈︎ 3°52′
β −2°25′		♓︎ 25°49′
β +2°56′		♌︎ 1°11′
β +2°12′		♊︎ 19°26′
β −0°16′		♓︎ 26°48′
β −1°59′
ObservingNightNaked eye -10.1Naked eye 0.5Naked eye -4.8Naked eye 0.8Naked eye -2.0Naked eye 1.2
Rise05:0702:0204:2203:3710:4007:3504:05
Set18:5310:3416:2215:5101:5923:0115:46

Extended targets:

Body⚳︎♅︎♆︎♇︎
Ecliptic♓︎ 21°14′
β −8°24′		♉︎ 25°46′
β −0°13′		♈︎ 0°46′
β −1°16′		♒︎ 3°46′
β −3°31′
ObservingTelescope 9.3Binoculars 5.8Telescope 7.8TelescopeTelescope 14.5
Rise04:2806:1404:1002:07
Set15:0221:0216:0810:56

β = ecliptic latitude (+ north, − south).
Rise and set are Local Apparent Time for the selected latitude.
Naked-eye observing uses the Sun’s altitude at the selected Monday observer time: Daylight (Sun ≥ −0.833°), Civil twilight (−0.833° to −6°), Nautical twilight (−6° to −12°), Astronomical twilight (−12° to −18°), and Night (below −18°).
Solar Glare identifies a body too close to the Sun when the sky-state rule does not already supersede its naked-eye classification.
The Sun’s observing status uses this same five-state sky classification.

Notation:

Planet Finder

Planet Finder — Greek / Symbols
Greek / Symbols
Planet Finder — English
English
Planet Finder — Mixed Learner
Mixed Learner

Sky Notes

Kilroy: Sky Notes · generated 2026-10-23 08:14:14 UTC

View:

ISO 2025-W17 runs from April 21 through April 27. Venus and Saturn are separated by about 1.0° in geocentric ecliptic longitude at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Jupiter is about 3.1° in ecliptic longitude from Elnath in Taurus.

Naked eye: 🌗 Last Quarter — 01:35:34 UTC. Moderate moonlight makes timing and local sky position important for faint targets. Use Merak, Dubhe as the week’s fixed-sky framework.

Merak: The Key Star of the Big Dipper and the Ursa Major Skyline — A prominent stellar beacon in the constellation Ursa Major, guiding navigators and stargazers alike.

Dubhe: The Guiding Star of the Big Dipper — An enduring beacon in the night sky, Dubhe's prominence has guided travelers for centuries.

Planets: Moon: Naked eye; magnitude -10.1; direct motion; 50.8% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude Apr 27 19:31 UTC. Conjunction with Mercury in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 22:04 UTC. Conjunction with Venus in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 02:57 UTC. Conjunction with Ceres in ecliptic longitude Apr 24 19:15 UTC. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 02:53 UTC. Conjunction with Neptune in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 08:53 UTC. Conjunction with Pluto in ecliptic longitude Apr 21 06:19 UTC. Mercury: Naked eye; magnitude 0.5; direct motion; 44.3% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 22:04 UTC. Venus: Naked eye; magnitude -4.8; direct motion; 20.3% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 02:57 UTC. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 00:01 UTC. Mars: Naked eye; magnitude 0.8; direct motion; 89.9% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Ceres: Telescope; magnitude 9.3; direct motion; 98.8% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Apr 24 19:15 UTC. Jupiter: Naked eye; magnitude -2.0; direct motion; 99.5% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Saturn: Naked eye; magnitude 1.2; direct motion; 99.9% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 02:53 UTC. Conjunction with Venus in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 00:01 UTC. Uranus: Binoculars; magnitude 5.8; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Neptune: Telescope; magnitude 7.8; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 08:53 UTC. Pluto: Substantial telescope; magnitude 14.5; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Apr 21 06:19 UTC.

Binoculars: Trace Crater’s charted figure in the finder, then identify Alkes at its charted position. Trace Crater’s charted figure in the finder, then identify β Crt at its charted position.

Alkes in the constellation Crater: A Guiding Star — An overview of Alkes, its significance in navigation and astronomy, and its characteristics.

Beta Crt: The Brightest Beacon in the Centaur Constellation — A detailed look into the star's position, characteristics, and significance in the night sky.

Small telescope: MCG 0-28-30: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; NGC 3532: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M108: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Owl Nebula: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; MCG 3-29-20: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M65: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; NGC 3626: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M66: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Arp 317: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance

MCG 0-28-30: A Galaxy in Leo's Embrace — An insightful overview of a lesser-known galaxy nestled within the constellation Leo.

The Open Cluster in Carina: A Stellar Assembly in the Southern Sky — Discover the characteristics and significance of this intriguing star cluster in the constellation Carina.

M108: The.Hidden Galaxy in Ursa Major — An overview of the intriguing spiral galaxy M108, a hidden gem in the constellation Ursa Major.

The Owl Nebula: A Classic Jewel of Ursa Major — An in-depth look at M97, a stunning planetary nebula that continues to captivate astronomers and stargazers alike.

MCG 3-29-20: A Galaxy in Leo’s Embrace — An exploration of a distant galaxy whose faint light reaches us across the vast cosmos.

M65: A Spiral Galaxy Gracefully Situated in Leo — Discover the characteristics and significance of this intriguing galaxy in the constellation Leo.

Leo's Hidden Gem: A Glimpse into Caldwell 40 — An exploration of Caldwell 40, a galactic wonder nestled within the constellation Leo.

M66: A Flurry of Fire in the Heart of Leo — An exploration of the majestic spiral galaxy nestled within the constellation Leo.

Unveiling Arp 317: A Galaxy in the Constellation Leo — A faint but intriguing galaxy that invites curiosity from stargazers and astronomers alike.

Substantial telescope: No fixed-sky Calendar object is classified as requiring a substantial telescope this week.

Other objects listed this week: None

Mercury

Mercury: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 42.3° below the horizon. Rises 04:22; sets 16:22 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.5. The disk is 44.3% illuminated (crescent). It is 27.4° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.945° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Diphda, 18.4° away. Neptune is 3.3° away at the snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 22:04 UTC. Mercury: 18.4° from Diphda in the Pathfinder.

Venus

Venus: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 43.1° below the horizon. Rises 03:37; sets 15:51 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -4.8. The disk is 20.3% illuminated (crescent). It is 35.4° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.290° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 9.2° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 02:57 UTC. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 00:01 UTC. Venus: 9.2° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.

Moon

Moon: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 51.4° below the horizon. Rises 02:02; sets 10:34 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -10.1. The disk is 50.8% illuminated (waning half-lit). It is 90.8° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 12.969° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Dabih, 9.8° away. Pluto is 3.5° away at the snapshot. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude Apr 27 19:31 UTC. Conjunction with Mercury in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 22:04 UTC. Conjunction with Venus in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 02:57 UTC. Conjunction with Ceres in ecliptic longitude Apr 24 19:15 UTC. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 02:53 UTC. Conjunction with Neptune in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 08:53 UTC. Conjunction with Pluto in ecliptic longitude Apr 21 06:19 UTC. Moon: 9.8° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.

Mars

Mars: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 50.1° above the horizon. Rises 10:40; sets 01:59 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.8. The disk is 89.9% illuminated (gibbous). It is 90.0° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.423° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Pollux, 8.8° away. Mars: 8.8° from Pollux in the Pathfinder.

Jupiter

Jupiter: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 18.9° above the horizon. Rises 07:35; sets 23:01 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -2.0. The disk is 99.5% illuminated (nearly full). It is 48.3° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.188° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Elnath, 6.6° away. Jupiter: 6.6° from Elnath in the Pathfinder.

Saturn

Saturn: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 46.5° below the horizon. Rises 04:05; sets 15:46 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 1.2. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 34.4° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.109° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 13.5° away. Neptune is 4.0° away at the snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 02:53 UTC. Conjunction with Venus in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 00:01 UTC. Saturn: 13.5° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.

Uranus

Uranus: binoculars at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 0.3° below the horizon. Rises 06:14; sets 21:02 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 5.8. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 24.6° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.054° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Aldebaran, 15.3° away. Uranus: 15.3° from Aldebaran in the Pathfinder.

Neptune

Neptune: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 43.4° below the horizon. Rises 04:10; sets 16:08 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.8. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 30.4° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.034° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 15.7° away. Mercury is 3.3° away at the snapshot. Saturn is 4.0° away at the snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Apr 25 08:53 UTC. Neptune: 15.7° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.

Ceres

Ceres: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 55.0° below the horizon. Rises 04:28; sets 15:02 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 9.3. The disk is 98.8% illuminated (gibbous). It is 40.6° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.357° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Diphda, 16.8° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Apr 24 19:15 UTC. Ceres: 16.8° from Diphda in the Pathfinder.

Pluto

Pluto: substantial telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 52.6° below the horizon. Rises 02:07; sets 10:56 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 14.5. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 87.4° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.006° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Dabih, 8.1° away. Moon is 3.5° away at the snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Apr 21 06:19 UTC. Pluto: 8.1° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.