5731 County Rd 105 NW
Byron, MN 55920
USA
Wonders of the Spring sky
Presentation by Robert Fealey
This presentation offers a comprehensive guide to the Spring sky, transitioning from the brilliant stars of winter to the “Great Diamond” of the vernal season. It highlights key constellations such as Leo the Lion, Boötes, and Virgo, providing practical “star-hopping” techniques—like following the arc of the Big Dipper to Arcturus—to help observers navigate the heavens. Beyond simple identification, the session explores the scientific significance of “Galaxy Season,” explaining how our view shifts away from the Milky Way’s dusty plane to reveal distant deep-space wonders. It serves as both a practical roadmap for amateur astronomers and a compelling look at the celestial mechanics that define the season.
Key Highlights:
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The Spring Triangle: Identification of Arcturus, Spica, and Regulus.
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Celestial Navigation: Using the Big Dipper as a primary guidepost.
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Deep-Sky Objects: Why spring is the best time to view the Virgo Cluster.
Observing
Robert Fealey is a retired neurology doctor. Robert is interested in space exploration topics, like e.g. research of the Saturn moon Titan by spacecraft Cassini and lander Huygens. He has a small observatory in his backyard with a 10″ Meade telescope and a few smaller telescopes and digital cameras. He is passionate about astrophotography and he is an active member of the Rochester Astronomy Club.
Public Sky Observing of the young Moon – 6.9 days after New Moon, planets Mars Jupiter Uranus bright stars, double stars, and more by telescope with guidance members of the Rochester Astronomy Club.
What to expect at Public Sky Observing – click here.
Reload this page before you leave for the event. Event can be cancelled in case of cloudy weather or another reason.
Moon on Friday April 24 evening
Credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio
Resources: In the Sky April/2026, Phases of the Moon 2026, Planets rise and set 04/24, Sun and Moon 04/24, Sun today, Holidays 2026
Moon Features You Can See From Earth,
Messier list, Caldwell list, Double stars list, Carbon stars list
| Month | Day | DoW | Location | Sunset | Start | End | ☽ age | Planets | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 23 | Fri | Oxbow Park | 17:03 | 6:00 PM | 7:30 PM | 8.0 | ♃ ♄ ⛢ ♆ | Randy Hemann |
| Feb | 27 | Fri | Oxbow Park | 18:30 | 6:30 PM | 8:00 PM | 9.9 | ☿ ♀ ♂ ♃ ♄ ⛢ ♆ | Presentation |
| Mar | 27 | Fri | Oxbow Park | 19:06 | 8:00 PM | 9:30 PM | 8.4 | ☿ ♀ ♂ ♃ ⛢ | Mike Benson |
| Apr | 24 | Fri | Oxbow Park | 19:42 | 8:30 PM | 10:00 PM | 6.9 | ♂ ♃ ⛢ | Bob Fealey |
| May | 22 | Fri | Watson | 20:16 | 9:00 PM | 11:00 PM | 5.4 | ♂ ♃ | |
| Jun | 06 | Sat | Root River Park | 20:40 | 9:00 PM | 11:00 PM | 26.6 | ♂ ♃ | |
| Jun | 19 | Fri | Watson | 20:51 | 9:00 PM | 11:00 PM | 10.5 | ♂ | |
| Jul | 04 | Sat | Root River Park | 20:51 | 9:00 PM | 11:00 PM | 10.5 | ♂ | |
| Jul | 17 | Fri | Watson | 20:58 | 9:00 PM | 11:00 PM | 2.3 | ☿ ♂ | Sun |
| Aug | 08 | Sat | Root River Park | 20:58 | 8:30 PM | 10:30 PM | 2.3 | ☿ ♂ | |
| Aug | 14 | Fri | Watson | 20:58 | 8:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 2.3 | ☿ ♂ | |
| Aug | 29 | Sat | Root River Park | 20:57 | 7:30 PM | 9:30 PM | 8.0 | ☿ ♂ | |
| Sep | 11 | Fri | Watson | 20:57 | 7:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 8.0 | ☿ ♂ | Ast. day |
| Oct | 03 | Sat | Root River Park | 20:48 | 9:30 PM | 11:30 PM | 23.9 | ♂ | |
| Oct | 16 | Fri | Watson | 20:48 | 6:30 PM | 8:30 PM | 23.9 | ♂ | |
| Oct | 31 | Sat | Root River Park | 20:48 | 9:30 PM | 11:30 PM | 23.9 | ♂ | |
| Nov | 13 | Fri | Oxbow Park | 19:11 | 8:30 PM | 10:00 PM | 27.4 | ♂ | Presentation |
| Dec | 11 | Fri | Oxbow Park | 20:35 | 9:15 PM | 10:45 PM | 7.5 | ♂ | Presentation |
| event | March 27 previous | next May 22 | |||||||
☿ – Mercury, ♀ – Venus, ♂ – Mars, ♃ – Jupiter, ♄ – Saturn, ⛢ – Uranus, ♆ – Neptune
| Oxbow Park | Root River Park | Soccer Fields | Out of Rochester | Moon visible |