The Coma star cluster, in the constellation Coma Berenices, consists of hundreds of stars about 280 light-years from Earth. The constellation is high in the east at nightfall. Under dark skies, the cluster is a good target for binoculars.
Weekly Stargazing Tips
Provided by StarDate.org. Unless otherwise specified, viewing times are local time regardless of time zone, and are good for the entire Lower 48 states (and, generally, for Alaska and Hawaii).
April 14: Coma Star Cluster
April 15: Coma Galaxies
The Coma galaxy cluster is one of the closest clusters to Earth. It is in Coma Berenices, which is in the east at nightfall. The cluster is above the brilliant star Arcturus and to the lower left of Leo, the lion. Small telescopes reveal many of the galaxies.
April 16: Alignments
There's a nice planetary alignment in the early morning sky now. Mars, Saturn, and Mercury are close together in the dawn twilight. But they are so low in the sky that you need a clear horizon and binoculars to spot them.
April 17: Morning Meeting
There's a meeting of planets in the dawn sky. It's a bit frustrating because the planets are quite low, so they are hard to see. Mercury is the brightest member of the trio, followed by Saturn, then Mars. The view is best from southern latitudes.
April 18: Moon and Venus
The planet Venus is the brilliant Evening Star now. It's quite close to the crescent Moon this evening. The Moon will stand above the planet tomorrow night.
April 19: Moon and Companions
The Moon is passing through the bull tonight. The bull's "eye," represented by the star Aldebaran, is to the left of the Moon. The bull's face and shoulder are even closer, represented by a pair of star clusters, the Hyades and the Pleiades.
April 20: Lyrid Meteors
The Lyrid meteor shower should be at its best the next couple of nights. Even at its peak, the shower produces no more than a dozen or so meteors per hour. But the Moon won't get in the way, so if you have good weather and a good viewing spot, it's worth a look.