On April 17, at 2:51 PM Kyiv time, the New Moon phase will occur. At this moment, our natural satellite will be aligned between the Earth and the Sun, turning its unlit side towards us. Although the Moon itself will not be visible in the sky, for astronomy enthusiasts and professional space researchers, this period is the most anticipated time in the lunar cycle - writes UNN.
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The main enemy of an astronomer is light pollution. Even a thin sliver of the Moon creates a certain background that "illuminates" faint deep-space objects. On April 17, the sky will become maximally dark, turning into a clean canvas where even the darkest stars look extraordinarily bright.
This is an ideal window for hunting deep-space objects:
- Without moonlight, you can discern the structure of the Andromeda Nebula or the spirals of the Triangulum Galaxy;
- Globular and open clusters, such as the Pleiades, will look like a scattering of diamonds on black velvet;
- Gas clouds become accessible for observation even with small telescopes or powerful binoculars.
Since the peak of the phase falls on the day, 2:51 PM, the best time for observation is the night of April 17-18. To get the most out of the experience, you should follow a few rules:
- Travel at least 30-50 km away from large settlements. Urban lighting negates all the advantages of the New Moon;
- The human eye needs about 20 minutes to fully adapt to darkness. Try not to use flashlights or look at your smartphone screen;
- Even an ordinary field binocular will reveal thousands of stars to you on this night that are invisible to the naked eye.
In many cultures, the New Moon symbolizes a "clean slate." It is a time for planning, inner silence, and laying the foundation for new projects. The energy of April 17 promotes concentration and calm analysis.
So, if you don't have a telescope, just go outside and look up - the infinity of the Universe gives a sense of calm and scale that we often lack in our daily hustle and bustle.
Planetary alignment and New Moon - horoscope for April 13-1912.04.26, 17:06