BY KAREN BOSSICK
The newly formed Central Idaho Night Sky Seekers will train its scopes on Leo the Lion Tuesday, April 13.
Leo the Lion is in a good observing position right now and there are also several groups of galaxies that can be observed, said Kristin Fletcher. Mars can also be viewed right now.
“Plus, we may see an early Lynd meteor or two, although that shower doesn’t peak until the 21st. We’ll also get our last view of Orion, Pleiades (Seven Sisters), and bright Sirius (the Dog Star) before they head over the horizon until next winter,” she said.
Five constellations representing the signs of the Zodiac are also visible right now, said Fletcher. They are Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo and Virgo.
Star watchers will meet at 8:30 p.m. at the Croy Canyon Trailhead, 3.1 miles west of Hailey. To get there, turn west at the main Hailey traffic light located at the corner of Luke's Pharmacy and LL Green. Go out Croy Canyon Road past Hop Porter Park, Mountain Humane and the Rotarun turnoff. Look for a small green street sign on the RIGHT that says Trailhead which will take you into the BLM's big motorized vehicle trailhead.
Participants are asked to turn their headlights off and use parking lights as they turn onto Trailhead Road to preserve everyone’s night visions.
Dress warmly, bring a chair if you like, a flashlight preferably with a red filter and telescope and binoculars if you have them. Tim Frazier will have some of his larger scopes for people to use.