Northern Sky

Deane Morrison is a science writer at the University of Minnesota. She authors the Minnesota Starwatch column, and contributes to WTIP bi-weekly with "Northern Sky," where she shares what's happening with stars, planets and more.

Photo courtesy of Matthew Prosser on Flickr

Deane Morrison is a science writer at the University of Minnesota. She authors the Minnesota Starwatch column, and contributes to WTIP bi-weekly on the Monday North Shore Morning program through "Northern Sky," where she shares what's happening with stars, planets and more.

Deane Morrison is a science writer at the University of Minnesota, where she authors the Minnesota Starwatch column.

The moon is waning which is good for starwatchers. Jupiter shows up in the southwest just after nightfall, and Spica can be seen southeast of Jupiter. Saturn will be at its brightest for the year in the southeast with the giant red star Antares to the west. Venus and a waning crescent moon can be seen in the east very early in the morning on June 20.

Deane Morrison is a science writer at the University of Minnesota. She authors the Minnesota Starwatch column, and contributes to WTIP bi-weekly on the Monday North Shore Morning program through "Northern Sky," where she shares what's happening with stars, planets and more.

Deane Morrison is a science writer at the University of Minnesota, where she authors the Minnesota Starwatch column.

One of Jupiter's moons, Io, is the site of a powerful volcano. Saturn starts to be bright in the night sky, and on May 13-14, a bright moon follows close behind Saturn. In the middle of June, Saturn will be visible throughout the night.

Photo is courtesy of NASA/University of Minnesota

Deane Morrison is a science writer at the University of Minnesota, where she authors the Minnesota Starwatch column.

May Day is also known as the witches' Sabbath. In the evening sky there are many constellations that can be seen through the summer. Venus is now only a morning star; brilliant Jupiter is seen at nightfall. Arcturus is part of a stream of stars thought to be remnants of a small galaxy, and May 10 is the full "flower" moon.

Deane Morrison is a science writer at the University of Minnesota, where she authors the Minnesota Starwatch column.

The moon is bright in the morning sky; clearly seen at nightfall is the constellation Leo, containing the quckly-rotating star, Regulus. West of Regulus is the star cluster known as the Beehive. Jupiter is bright in the southeast, and in the west, Mars is dim and low on the horizon.

Saturn can be seen before sunrise. The Lyrid meteor shower is expected to peak on April 22 or 23.

Deane Morrison is a science writer at the University of Minnesota, where she authors the Minnesota Starwatch column.

Jupiter takes center stage, while Mars is dim in the west. There is a full moon on April 10 - also known as the full pink moon or the sprouting grass moon - and will be perfectly full on April 11. Spica can be seen below Jupiter and the moon while they are rising. Look for Mercury early in April in the sun's afterglow.

Deane Morrison is a science writer at the University of Minnesota, where she authors the Minnesota Starwatch column.

Venus drops out of the evening sky during March, and on the 31st a crescent moon can be seen near Taurus, the Bull. The winter stars are starting to fade; Sirius - the brightest star - can be seen in the southwest after nightfall, with Jupiter ascending in the southeast. Spring arrives on March 20, with day length increasing in a northward direction.

Deane Morrison is a science writer at the University of Minnesota, where she authors the Minnesota Starwatch column.

As the equinox approaches, the night-time hours are shrinking fast, especially near the polar regions. Look for the Hyades cluster, with Aldebaran within the constellation of Taurus, the Bull. The full "worm" moon can be seen on March 12. Mars and Venus will separate in the first half of March. Saturn can be seen in the pre-dawn sky, near the "teapot" of Sagittarius.