04/23/2026
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40th Moon River, StarWatch, April 25th, 2026
Greetings Astronomy Fans!
The fortieth in a series of Moon River StarWatches will be held on Saturday, April 25th, 2026, from 8:00 to 10:00 PM. This family-friendly event is held on the fourth Saturday of each month.
The weather forecast calls for cool weather and mostly clouds – which means a few clear spots for viewing. Be prepared to have more conversations about the wonders of the Universe above our heads and hidden by clouds than “Telescopically” seeing them.
We will have a telescope on hand just in case the local weather cooperates with the StarWatch.
This month’s Moon River StarWatch event will include the Earth’s Planetary-sized Moon – “Luna”. Luna, as a 70.6% waxing gibbous phase is easily found two-thirds the way into the southern sky. Bring your cell phones to take stunning Lunar photos using the telescope as a super-long lens!
The moonlight illumination of Luna will add to the local Light Pollution we will have to deal with from Human-made glares and glows from both sides of the Ohio River. This will make viewing faint deep space objects difficult – but there are numerous bright Spring-time sky objects that we will be visiting with the telescope.
Using telescopes on-site, amateur astronomers will telescopically reveal to those in attendance a wide range of sky wonders both within our Sol-ar System and beyond.
Here is what we plan to seek through the telescopes you can also look through:
The Earth’s planetary-sized Moon “Luna” is 70.6% full in the waxing gibbous.
Planets: Venus, Jupiter, and the Planetary-sized moon, Luna.
The four large Planetary Moons of Jupiter: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto in line.
Watch the star Regulas be eclipsed (occulted) behind Luna from our Earthly perspective, at 8:30 PM and reemerge at 9:19 PM.
The Beehive, Double, and Pleiades (last StarWatch for this season) Galactic Star Clusters
The Crab Great Orion Nebula (last look for this season) and few brighter distant Galaxies
Will seek out several Double Stars
Additionally, we will point out several Constellations
Reminder, we will have telescopes for you to use ... if you have a telescope bring it along - more scopes, means more fun.
Meet at the Wheeling Walking Trail at Wheeling’s Waterfront next to the Walter Reuther statue, just south of the “Wooden Swing”, and west of the Splash Pad area - near the Wheeling Arena. Find us at Latitude 40° 03’ 55.5” North and Longitude 80° 43’ 30.2” West.
In case of clouds or light misting rain, amateur astronomers will still be on hand to discuss and answer your astronomically related questions. We will cancel for thunderstorms, heavy rains, snow, ice, or sleet.
Clear and Safe Skies,
Robert
Robert E. Strong
Director: SMART-Center
1410 Main Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
http://www.smartcenter.org/
Director: Near Earth Object Foundation
1410 Main Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
http://www.neofoundation.org/
Curator: SMART Centre Market
1410 Main Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
http://www.smartcentremarket.com
Co-Host: Radio Science News
http://radiosciencenews.org/
tentative topics list
