All solar orbiting objects will at some point in their respective orbit cross the plane of the ecliptic. The ecliptic is actually the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, however from our perspective on the Earth it appears as if the Sun is moving eastward along the ecliptic.
On April 12th the inner planet Venus will be at its ascending node as it crosses the ecliptic moving north. And the next day, April 13th, Mercury will be at its descending node moving south as it crosses the ecliptic.
Click here to go to the Qué tal in the Current Skies web site for monthly observing information, or here to return to bobs-spaces.
