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April Programs
Spring Constellations — The mythology and science behind star patterns in the Spring sky above Lincoln. Run time: approximately 20 minutes.
Earth’s Nearest Neighbor — A new program about the moon, runs on evenings when the moon is visible. Run time: 21 minutes.
Jupiter — The latest science from the Juno Mission to the Solar System’s largest planet, which moves into our evening sky this month. Run time: 20 minutes.
Your Window on the Universe
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Our Telescopes
Featuring views of the night skies through our 3 Telescopes!
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Presentations & Programs
Astronomy Presentations every Saturday Night!
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It's all FREE
There is NO ADMISSION CHARGE
HOURS
We’re open every Saturday year-round.
Hyde may be closed if Saturday falls on or very near a major holiday. If in doubt call first: (402) 441-7094.
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March 15-August 31
Sundown to 11 PM
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September 1-30
8 PM to 11 PM
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October 1-March 14
7 PM to 10 PM
What we’re looking at through the observatory’s telescopes in April:
The Planets
Venus is low in the west after sunset, climbing higher in the sky each day, and by the end of April it will remain in the sky for most of the evening’s viewing at Hyde. Mercury has dived back into the solar glare, out of our view. This month, Jupiter begins to rise before the observatory closes at 11:00 p.m., low in the East at the start of the month and becoming more visible with each passing Saturday. Saturn is hot on Jupiter’s heels, but won’t be available during observatory hours until May. Then, Mars will join the show in June. This summer will be a great time to view all 3 outer planets at the observatory!
The Moon
On Saturday public nights this month: April 7 — the moon is approaching Last Quarter and rises too late to be observed. April 14 — Just before New Moon, it’s a thin crescent just before sunrise, out of view during the evening. April 21 — Approaching First Quarter. This will be an excellent night to look at the moon through the observatory’s telescopes because it will be in the sky all evening, and the terminator (boundary between light and dark) will provide stark contrast for lunar surface features. April 28 — Just before Full Moon, the terminator is right at the limb of the moon providing some contrast, but most of the surface features will be washed out by direct sunlight. Fair-to-middling viewing.
Deep Sky Objects
Galaxies, Nebulae, globular star clusters and other objects beyond the solar system will be viewed through the telescopes throughout the month, depending upon sky conditions. April is our last shot at some of the bright features of the winter sky as they sink into the west where the sun is setting later each night. But that brings our Milky Way into view in the East late in the evening — and our galaxy is full of Spring and Summer deep sky objects!