Read our April sky notes to find out what’s in the night sky this month!
Map
Constellations
These constellations are well placed in the evening this month, but many more can be seen. Check the star map for more.
Virgo is the largest constellation in the sky. It can be seen rising in the east at sunset and moves across the southern sky during the night, disappearing in the western sky at sunrise.
Hercules rises in the north eastern sky shortly after sunset. It rises higher towards the south during the night where it disappears at sunrise. Best views will be just before dawn when it is highest in the sky.
Leo appears in the sky high in the south at sunset. It lowers towards the west during the night where it sets around sunrise. Look for the Sickle asterism, in the shape of a backwards question mark.
Planets
Mercury is too close to the Sun to be seen this month.
Venus is too close to the Sun to be seen this month.
Mars is too close to the Sun to be seen this month.
Jupiter can only be seen low on the western horizon near the beginning of the month. You will need a clear horizon just after sunset for best views. It sets shortly after the Sun, and appears too low in the sky to be seen by the middle of the month. Jupiter will be in conjunction with the Moon on the 10th.
Saturn is too close to the Sun to be seen this month.
Uranus is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. It stays very close to Jupiter this month, which could cause interference. By the middle of the month it appears too low at sunset to be seen.
Neptune is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. It is too close to the Sun to be in the sky this month.
Moon
Last Quarter: 2nd
New Moon: 8th
First Quarter: 15th
Full Moon: 24th
The Moon is at perigee, its closest point to the Earth, on the 7th. This effect is not visually apparent.
The Moon is at perihelion, its closest point to the Sun, on the 6th, and aphelion, its furthest point from the Sun on the 26th. This effect is not visually apparent.
Meteor Showers
The Lyrids reach their peak on the night of the 22nd. The radiant (apparent origin point) of the meteors will be in the constellation of Hercules. Meteors will be visible all night since Hercules is always visible. Best displays will be just before dawn, as the constellation’s highest point will be around 05:00 BST. You will be able to see about 17 meteors per hour.
Points of Interest
The Sombrero galaxy will be well placed on the 2nd. It can be found in the constellation of Virgo. You will need a large telescope to view it.
The spiral galaxy Messier 94 will be well placed on the 5th. It will be in the constellation of Canes Venatici, visible between 21:04 and 05:04 BST. Best views will be around midnight when it is highest in the sky, and you will need binoculars or a small telescope to see it.
Asteroid 532 Herculina will be at opposition on the 8th in the constellation of Boötes. Visible between 21:10 BST and dawn, best views will be around midnight when it is highest in the sky. You will need at least a four-inch telescope to see it.
The Whirlpool Galaxy will be at opposition on the 14th in the constellation of Canes Venatici. Visible between 21:25 BST and dawn, best views will be around midnight when it is highest in the sky. You will need at least a four-inch telescope to see it.
The globular cluster Messier 3 will be well placed on the 18th in the constellation of Canes Venatici. Visible between 21:31 BST and dawn, best views will be around 01:00 BST when it is at its highest point. You will need binoculars to see it.
136108 Haumea will be at opposition on the 21st in the constellation of Boötes. It will be visible all night, with best views around midnight. You will need at least a four-inch telescope to see it.
The Pinwheel Galaxy will be well placed on the 23rd in the constellation of Ursa Major. It will be visible all night with best views around midnight. You will need at least a four-inch telescope to see it.
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Last updated: April 21st