Due to the later onset of darkness, the observatory does not open until 21:00 in April.

Our star chart shows the sky for 11 pm summer time. The starry sky is then dominated by the spring constellations. Exactly to the south you will now find the constellation Leo, whose figure is indeed reminiscent of a cat of prey lying down. In a south-easterly direction, two stars attract attention: Spica, the main star of the Virgo, and higher in the sky the orange Arcturus in the constellation Boats. Arcturus, Spica and Regulus form the so-called spring triangle.

The Large trolleys (part of the constellation Ursa Major) can now be found vertically above our heads. Between it and Leo, only the inconspicuous constellations Little lion, Hunting dogs and the Hair of Berenice their place. The situation is similar in the area between Leo and the horizon: here you will find the faint Water snake, the Sextant is hardly noticeable, mostly you can only Mug and Raven The striking shapes make it easy to recognize the Jupiter in the constellation of Gemini.

The moon phases in April 2026

The planets in April 2026

Mercury is almost 28 degrees away from the sun at the beginning of April. However, it is not visible in our morning sky due to its southern position.

Venus moves from the constellation of Aries to that of Taurus. Our inner neighboring planet shines brightly in the western twilight. On April 18, the narrow crescent Moon will be below Venus, on the 19th above it, right next to the Pleiades. There will be a close encounter with Uranus on the 23rd.

Mars is visible in the constellation of Pisces and then passes through the constellation of Whale. Mars is not yet visible in our morning sky, but a conjunction of Mars, Mercury and Saturn can be seen from the southern hemisphere on April 20.

Jupiter in the constellation of Gemini is the brightest planet in the first half of the night after the setting of Venus.

Saturn was in conjunction with the Sun at the end of March and is not yet visible in the morning sky.

Uranus in Taurus is only visible in the evening sky with telescopes at the beginning of the month. The close encounter with Venus on April 23/24 takes place low above the western horizon.

Neptune has, like Saturn, just completed its conjunction with the Sun - the planet far from the Sun remains invisible.

In modified form from The starry sky in April 2026 - Vereinigung der Sternfreunde e.V.

March 28 is Astronomy Day. The observatory opens at 7 pm, weather permitting. See also the point Events.

The starry sky in March marks the transition from the winter to the spring constellations. In the evening, you can still enjoy the twinkling stars of Orion, Large dog, Small dog, Twins, Carter and Bull enjoy. At midnight, they then looked at the spring constellations around the Lions made room. Between Gemini and Leo, the constellation of the zodiac falls Cancer hardly noticeable. If the sky is clear and there are no disturbing lights, you will discover a nebula in the middle of the constellation of Cancer: the open star cluster Praesepe, the Nativity. Steeply above us you will now find the Big bears, whose seven brightest stars form the well-known figure of the Big car form.

In the southeast direction, Spica is in the constellation Virgo can be seen over the horizon. Further to the north-east, the orange Arcturus sparkles in the constellation Boats. Above the southern horizon, the front part of the extended constellation Water snake to see. If the sky is not so clear, you will at best be able to see its brightest star Alphard - its name does not mean „the lonely one“ by chance. The small constellation Raven can be seen just above the horizon. Although it only consists of fainter stars, it is easy to recognize due to its compact shape.

High in the southwest Jupiter in the constellation of Gemini. The faint Uranus in Taurus is close to the horizon.

The moon phases in March 2026

The planets in March 2026

Mercury is located between the Sun and Earth on March 7. By the end of March, its angular distance from the sun increases again. However, due to its southern position, it cannot be observed in the morning sky in our latitudes.

Venus is visible again in the evening. On March 7, it passes close to Neptune and on March 8, Venus passes Saturn. On March 20, Venus and the narrow crescent moon make for a pretty view of the sky.

Mars is located in the constellation of Aquarius, but is not visible in sunlight.

Jupiter becomes retrograde again in mid-March and is therefore no longer in opposition. The bright planet is still high in the constellation of Gemini.

Saturn will be caught up by the sun on March 25. The encounter with Venus on March 8 will be difficult to observe due to its proximity to the horizon.

Uranus moves slowly eastwards in the constellation of Taurus. It is best seen in the evening hours.

Neptune comes into conjunction with the Sun on March 23. The encounter with Venus on March 7 at a distance of only four minutes of arc close to sunset will be difficult to observe.

In modified form from The starry sky in March 2026 - Vereinigung der Sternfreunde e.V. 

In the evening hours of February, the starry sky really sparkles: the winter constellations around the Orion are famous for their bright stars. At 10 p.m. (the star chart shows this view), these constellations have already moved across the meridian. Below Orion, Sirius flickers in the constellation of the Big dog the brightest star in the entire sky. Above Orion on the right is the Bull with its main star Aldebaran. Even higher in the sky are the constellations of Carters with the yellowish Capella and to the left above Orion the Twins with the two bright stars Castor and Pollux. Prokyon, the brightest star in the Little Dog, shines below the twins.

The spring constellations can already be observed in the eastern sky. The constellation of the Lions with its main star Regulus has already risen completely. Below it, the star Alphard shines in the Water snake. The constellation of the Virgo does not fully rise until after midnight. The planet shines in Gemini Jupiter. Around the planet further west Uranus in Taurus, you should use binoculars.

The planets in February 2026

Mercury can be seen in the evening sky in mid-February. It reaches its greatest eastern elongation on February 19. Venus can also be seen again to the south of Mercury. On the 18th, the narrow crescent Moon will be below Mercury and on the 19th above Mercury next to Saturn.

Venus can be seen in the evening sky from mid-February.

Mars The red planet remains invisible because it is below the horizon at night.

Jupiter The giant planet is still located in the constellation of Gemini and shines very brightly.

Saturn bids farewell to the evening sky in February. It passes by distant Neptune after the middle of the month.

Uranus in Taurus becomes retrograde again, the greenish planet ends its opposition period and becomes the object of the first half of the night.

Neptune in the constellation of Pisces is located not far from Saturn and, like the ringed planet, can be observed in the early evening hours. It is overtaken by Saturn after the middle of the month.

In modified form from The starry sky in February 2026 - Association of Star Friends e.V.

On the January star chart - it is valid for 15.1., 10 p.m. - you can recognize the best-known winter constellation, the Orion. Its seven stars are all very bright. You can easily imagine the human body of the sky hunter in the shape they form. Below the three „belt stars“, the pale, shimmering Orion Nebula can be seen with binoculars. The lower right star of Orion, Rigel, is also the lower right corner of the Winter hexagons. The winter hexagon is not a constellation, but a large figure made up of six bright stars from different constellations. Clockwise, Rigel in Orion is followed first by Sirius (in the constellation Big dog), then Prokyon (in the Small dog), Castor (in the Twins), Kapella (in the Carter), and finally Aldebaran in the Bull.

The Winter Milky Way passes through the constellations of the Great Dog, Unicorn, Gemini, Taurus, Carthus, Perseus and Cassiopeia. It is not as bright as in summer, as we are currently looking towards the edge of our galaxy from Earth.

The planets in January 2026

Mercury was only visible in the morning at the beginning of December 2025. In January 2026, the closest planet to the sun will also not be visible in the night sky.

Venus reaches its upper conjunction with the Sun on January 6 and is only visible in the daytime sky in January.

Mars is in conjunction with the Sun on January 9 - the red planet is therefore not visible.

Jupiter comes into opposition on January 10 in the constellation Gemini. The giant planet therefore offers optimal observation conditions.

Saturn moves from the constellation of Aquarius into the constellation of Pisces and is an object in the evening sky. Its distance from Neptune decreases over the course of the month. On January 23, Saturn is close to the waxing moon.

Uranus in the constellation Taurus is in the weeks following opposition and can therefore still be seen south of the Pleiades for most of the night.

Neptune in the constellation of Pisces is located not far from Saturn and, like the ringed planet, is an object for the evening hours.

The moon phases in January 2026

In modified form from: The starry sky in January 2026 - Vereinigung der Sternfreunde e.V.