Star gazing with Astronomical Society president Toby Tobias

April is a particularly good month for viewing our planets. Venus will be very bright towards the northwest and will not need binoculars or a telescope.

In fact, due to its very cloudy atmosphere, no details would be seen.

Mars, the red planet, will be high in the sky to the north in the early evening, as will Saturn to the East. There will be a full moon on the 7^th.

We have an intimate relationship with our sun. Its light, gravity and storms profoundly affect our planet's motion, weather, oceans and life, as well as other objects in our solar system.

Ancient cultures observed and worshipped it. Modern scientists use solar missions to study it as an example of our closest star and examine how its radiation, particles and powerful magnetic fields affect our planet.

Others try to model the complex layers and processes within the sun and analyse particles from the sun to learn more about the formation of our solar system.

The Mars Rover Curiosity, which was discussed last month, continues its journey to an August touchdown. In the meantime, one of two earlier Rovers which touched down for a scheduled three month mission over seven years ago is still operating and sending back invaluable information on Mars to the delight of the designers and operating staff of Rover Opportunity at NASA.

The TAS Observatory is located at the Fergusson Park clubrooms in Matua.

Public meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm.

For more information phone 5435358. Data courtesy NASA and Stardome Auckland.