April is the perfect time of the year for observing the dark nebula known as the Coalsack. You will find it nestled within the rich, bright star fields of the Milky Way. It is visible to the naked eye, sitting right next to Crux – the Southern Cross. The Coalsack appears dark because it stops the light from the stars behind it reaching our eyes. 

While looking at the constellation Crux, observe the bright star Acrux, which is a multiple star and can be resolved by a small telescope. An interesting fact is that out of all the constellations, Crux is the smallest. The whole constellation should fit behind your outstretched hand at arm’s length. 

Then not far from the Coalsack you will find the wonderful open cluster NGC 4755, the Jewel Box Cluster. It looks like a hazy star to the naked eye, but binoculars or a small telescope will reveal its individual, colourful twinkling stars. If you are observing with binoculars, make sure you do not miss two marvellous sights in the nearby constellation Carina: IC 2602, the Southern Pleiades, and NGC 3372, the Carina Nebula.

On April 1, Saturn will be close to Mars in the morning sky, then on April 3-4 Venus passes through the Pleiades cluster. On April 8 we will see a perigee full moon – the moon’s closest point to Earth in its monthly orbit – also referred to as a ‘super moon’. One week later on April 15, the waning moon will be close to Jupiter in the morning sky, followed on April 16 with the waning moon close to Saturn in the morning sky. Then on April 26-27 we will see the crescent moon near Venus in the evening sky.

By Nerida Langcake
This article appeared in the April 2020 issue of the Mornington Peninsula Magazine.