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We're currently completely overhauling our SkyGuide section, so there will be no update until August. Please check back soon for updates!
Lyrid Meteor Shower peaks on 22 April at 17:00. ZHR (Zenithal Hourly Rate) is expected to be about 20 meteors per hour. The Moon will be 61% illuminated, which may hinder observing the fainter meteors.
Mercury is above the western horizon in the evenings during the first half of the month.
The greatest elongation occurs on 8 April. Look for Mercury at close apparent proximity to Venus after sunset most of the month. On 15 April, Mercury will appear to be 1.5 degrees south of Moon at 23:00.
Venus is visible in the western sky in the evenings this month.
Venus and Mercury have close apparent proximity to each other the first half of the month. A thin, crescent Moon passes 4 degrees north of Venus on 16 April at 13:00.
(Venus and Mercury - 3 April)
Mars is still visible in the evening sky. The waning, gibbous orb is increasing its eastward motion in relation to background stars this month.
Mars passes near Praesepe (Beehive Cluster) from 15 to 18 April.
Jupiter is low in the early morning sky in Aquarius.
Jupiter will be 6 degrees south of Moon on 11 April at 22:00. Many double shadow transits will be visible this month.
Saturn is visible all night this month. Don’t forget to include a view of the rings while out observing.
On 26 April: Saturn will appear to be 8° north of the Moon (00:00).
Uranus is visible in the dawn sky in Pisces. Uranus is best viewed by Southern Hemisphere observers.
Neptune is in the morning sky near the Aquarius/Capricornus border Neptune is best viewed by Southern Hemisphere Observers.
| (All times are Universal Time.) | |
| April 03 | Antares 1.6° south of Moon (11:00) |
| April 04 | Double shadow transit on Jupiter (11:28) |
| April 06 | Double shadow transit on Jupiter (07:33) |
| April 06 | Last Quarter Moon (09:37) |
| April 08 | Mercury at greatest heliocentric latitude N |
| April 08 | Double shadow transit on Jupiter (00:46) |
| April 08 | Mercury at greatest elongation E (19 D) (23:00) |
| April 09 | Moon at apogee (405,002 km) |
| April 11 | Double shadow transit on Jupiter (14:06) |
| April 11 | Jupiter 6° south of Moon (22:00) |
| April 14 | New Moon (12:29) |
| April 15 | Mercury 1.5° south of Moon (23:00) |
| April 15 | Double shadow transit on Jupiter (20:14) |
| April 16 | Mars 0.9° north of Praesepe (Beehive Cluster) (10:00) |
| April 16 | Venus 4° south of Moon (13:00) |
| April 17 | Moon 0.5° south of Pleiades Star Cluster (06:00) |
| April 18 | Double shadow transit on Jupiter (16:44) |
| April 19 | Moon 0.2° north of M35 (15:00) |
| April 21 | First Quarter Moon (18:20) |
| April 22 | Double shadow transit on Jupiter (06:02) |
| April 22 | Mars 5deg; north of Moon (09:00) |
| April 22 | Lyrid Meteor Shower peaks (17:00) |
| April 24 | Venus 4° south of Pleiades Star Cluster |
| April 24 | Moon at perigee (367,141 km) |
| April 26 | Saturn 8° north of Moon (00:00) |
| April 28 | Full Moon (12:18) |
| April 30 | Antares 1.7° south of Moon (20:00) |
If you're confused about any of the terms used in this sky guide check out our introduction to terms used in astronomy.
All images were created using The Sky, developed by Software Bisque.
To discuss any of the above with other amateur (and some armchair!) astronomers, do visit our astronomy community forums. If you're confused by any of the astronomy terminology used on this page take a look at our: explanation of astronomy basics. Also, do visit our section on CCD Imaging to see what other amateur enthusiasts have managed to capture with their equipment. If there are any amateur astrophotographers out there who would like to exhibit their images on Astronomy Today do contact us.
Author: Brenda Culbertson
