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Volume 19 -- Issue 04
Planet Watch -- April 2013

Comet (C/2011 L4 PanSTAARS) hopefully will still be visible as it crosses the stars of Andromeda heading for a flyby of the Andromeda Galaxy, M-31 on April 3rd to 4th. This animated graphic follows the comet from 1 April through april 16th when the comet's calculated magnitude (using my software) has reached 7th magnitude and is no longer naked-eye visible, and a challenge with binoculars.
By this time the comet will be near the zig-zag pattern of stars forming the Cassiopeia the Queen.

Mercury is just past western elongation (31 March) and is now moving eastward toward the Sun and superior conjunction next month. The innermost planet is visible all month but for northern hemisphere observers it is not very high above the eastern horizon at sunrise as a result of the low angle for the ecliptic, as this graphic set for 6:15 am CDT on 15 March shows.
Venus is just past superior conjunction and as it moves out from the opposite side of the Sun Venus will gradually become more visible over the western horizon at sunset. Venus may be visible by the end of the month, but will definitely become the 'evening star' by next month.

Mars is not visible this month as it reaches superior conjunction on the 18th.
Jupiter is visible over the southwest horizon at sunset and sets several hours later.
Saturn reaches opposition on the 28th and is still moving in retrograde motion during this month.