April 6, 2021: Find Mars in the west after sunset. It is approaching the Bull’s horns. Mars, not as bright as it was a few months ago, is in a sea of the bright winter stars.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Chicago, Illinois: Sunrise, 6:25 a.m. CDT; Sunset, 7:22 p.m. CDT. Check local sources for sunrise and sunset times for your location.
One hour after sunset, Mars is over halfway up in the west. It is approaching the horns of Taurus, Elnath – “the one butting with horns” – and Zeta Tauri (ζ Tau on the chart).
This evening, Mars is 4.8° to the lower left of Elnath.
Mars has dimmed considerably since Earth was between it and the sun during October last year. Earth revolves faster on its inner orbit and it has moved away from the Red Planet.
The brightness is about 40 times dimmer than when it was at its closest. The planet is still bright, but not dazzling. Its brightness puts it in the top 25 brightest “stars” in the sky.
Mars’ brightness seems reduced by the bright stars that are nearby, Aldebaran, Capella, Betelgeuse, Rigel, Procyon, Pollux and Castor.
Here’s more about Mars during 2021.
Read about Mars during April.
Detailed Note: One hour before sunrise, the moon (24.2d, 29%) is about 10° up in the southeast. Saturn is 4.7° to the upper left of the lunar slice. Bright Jupiter is 12.5° to the lower left of Saturn. In the starfield, Saturn is 2.3° to the upper right of θ Cap. Jupiter is 1.9° to the upper left of Deneb Algiedi. One hour after sunset, Mars (m = 1.4) is over halfway up in the west, 4.8° to the lower left of Elnath
Read more about the planets during April 2021.
2021, July 29: Mars – Regulus Conjunction
July 29, 2021: In a challenging-to-see conjunction, Mars passes 0.6° to the upper right of the star Regulus.
2021, July 29: Jupiter – Mars Opposition
July 29, 2021: The Jupiter – Mars opposition occurs this evening. The planets are 180° apart as viewed from our planet. Mars is setting as Jupiter rises.
2021, July 27: Four Evening Planets
July 27, 2021: Evening Star Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter are in the evening sky. Mars is nearing its conjunction with Regulus in two evenings.
2021, July 26: Evening Sky, Mars Closes In
July 26, 2021: Four bright planets are in the evening sky. Mars closes in on Regulus for their conjunction in three evenings. Brilliant Evening Star Venus appears to the upper left of the impending Mars – Regulus conjunction. Saturn and Jupiter are low in the southeastern sky after sunset.
2021, July 25: Evening Sky, Mars on Final Approach
July 25, 2021: Four evenings before its conjunction with Regulus, find Mars in the western sky to the lower right of Venus. As the calendar day ends, look for the moon below bright Jupiter.
Categories: Astronomy, Sky Watching
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