The April sky is a wonderful arena of various constellations which are well-known favorites. As Orion settles into the west, Betelgeuse is still one of the brightest objects. The constellatoins of Gemini, as mentioned below, Auriga, with the very bright star, Capella, Cepheus, Draco, Bootees and Hercules are obvious. Also, one of my favorites, Lyra hold the bright star Vega and M57 a Planetary Nebula. Tonight, look towards the North, Northwest, and Northeast for these, except Orion, which is in the far west, with Gemini right above Betelgeuse. Your point of reference is always the Big Dipper, also known as Ursa Major, or the Plough.
If you are looking south, Leo is obvious, with the bright star Regulus. Also to the West, you can see Cancer, and Canis Major, with Procyon, a bright star. Virgo, with Spica is also up, and if you find Virgo, you will find Coma Bernices, between Bootes and Virgo. All these I have seen for two or three nights in France in the country. Orion is just setting.
The April sky will also, later in the month, witness the great meteor shower, the Lyrid, which one can see clearly around April 22nd. I saw one shooting star two days ago, and three in January, so I an waiting for this wonderful shower. The
diagram shows where to look.
