Time for No. 5 in our Top 10

Let's see, where were we? Oh yes, ready for number five on our "Top Ten" list of things to look for on a spring evening. Just remember, we must be at a dark sky place at least an hour after local sunset which in southwest Nebraska is at about 7:15 pm MDT.

Next week it will be at about 7:22 pm MDT.

What is nice about spring evenings is the possibility of the temperatures being warmer, but the Sun is setting later each day delaying the time we can begin our observation sessions.

In any case, if you are all set--let's go.

For number five we are going back to the area between Gemini and Leo and look for the fearsome Cancer, the Crab. Cancer is somewhat difficult to locate because the stars of the constellation are only third and fourth magnitude.

However, if your sky is dark enough, and you are looking between Gemini and Leo, due south almost overhead you should locate it.

Our goal is the very nice open star cluster almost in the center of the "peace symbol" shaped constellation. At least if you are of my generation you know what a peace symbol looks like. If you are not, then look for an upside down "Y".

In addition to being designated as M44, it is also called "The Beehive Cluster" from its similarity to a swarm of bees.

It has another name too, "Praesepe," which is Latin for "manger." Remember where you found it, we will be coming back at Christmas.

Number seven is another open star cluster, this one found near Sirius in Canis Major located just below and left of Orion.

The easiest way to locate Sirius is to draw a line along Orion's three belt stars and continue down and to the left. Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky and you can't miss it.

Put Sirius at the one o'clock position in your field of view (FOV) and the star cluster, M41, The Little Beehive" will be in view at about the six o'clock position.

It is a nice sight in binoculars, even better in a small telescope, if you have one.

For number eight we go back to Leo, high in the southeast. Just below his middle is the very bright planet Jupiter.

Number nine is not so much an object as an area. The area just behind Leo and between it and the next constellation to the right--Coma Berenices, Berenices Hair.

This is known as the "Realm of the Galaxies." Here there are many galaxies to be found, alas, some too small and dim to be seen with binoculars. However, there are some jewels here if you spend some time wandering around, especially M86 and M87, M64, and NGC 4565.

As for numbers nine and ten--well, I have saved the best for the last.

SKY WATCH: New moon (which means no moon visible) Thursday, April 7.

NEXT WEEK: Objects nine and ten and more astronomical blathering.