The Lyrid meteor shower will be at their best in the early mornings of the 22nd and 23rd April 2026, after the Moon has set at 2am.
The planets Venus and Jupiter adorn the winter constellations that are now setting in the west. In the east, three bright stars ride high this month, the principal players in the spring constellations. Leading the way is Regulus, with Spica to the lower left, and orange Arcturus in the constellation of Bootes lying above.
April also sees the seasonal change from winter constellations to spring constellations is more or less complete.
The Plough is practically overhead, with the ‘W’ of Cassiopeia is at its lowest. The stars Vega and Deneb, which form two thirds of the summer triangle, are rising in the northeast although they have yet to become prominent.
The main spring stars can now easily be found. In the south is the constellation Leo (the Lion), which looks like a giant backwards question mark, and at its base is the bright star Regulus. To find Regulus use the two pointers in the plough and rather than drawing a line to the North Star, go in the opposite direction.
The plough can also help us find two other bright stars in the spring sky. Using the handle of the Plough draw a curve round and down. This line will reach the bright orange star Arcturus in the constellation of Bootes (the Herdsman). If the line is continued further it will reach the bright blue-white star Spica in the constellation of Virgo (the Virgin).
THE PLANETS:-
MERCURY
It will not be possible to observe the inner most planet as it will be lost in the glare of the Sun. It will however be at its greatest separation from the Sun on the 4th of this month.
VENUS
The glorious Evening star rises high enough that you can see it against a truly dark sky by the end of the month. Shinning at magnitude –3.9, Venus is setting as late as 11pm. It is brighter than anything else in the night sky bar the Moon. The crescent Moon lies near Venus on the 18th and 19th of April. From 22nd to 24th April, Venus passes to the left of the Pleiades star cluster. On 23rd of the month Venus can be found to the right of Uranus.
MARS
The red planet will be lost in the bright twilight glow this month.
JUPITER
The gas giant can be found amongst the stars of Gemini this month, before it falls below the horizon around 3pm. Shinning at magnitude –2.3, Jupiter is second only to Venus at the moment. On the 22nd April the almost half Moon is to the right of Jupiter.
SATURN
The ring world will be lost on the glare of the Sun this month.
URANUS
Located in the constellation of Taurus just below the Pleiades star cluster. It will be falling below the horizon around 11pm with a faint magnitude of +5.8. On the 23rd of this month, Venus lies to the right of Uranus, providing an excellent opportunity to locate the faint gas giant using Venus as a signpost. On that date use binoculars or a low power telescope to find the faint bluish-green planet, just 50 arcminutes (Slightly less than two Moon – diameters) to the left of Venus and 8000 times fainter.
NEPTUNE
The outer most planet will be too close to the Sun for observation this month.
PLUTO
Located low down in the south west in the constellation of Capricornus. At magnitude +14.6, this distance world rises at 2.25am and will be visible until sunrise.
CERES
The largest object in the asteroid belt can be located just above the constellation of Cetus this month, at magnitude +8.9. Ceres falls below the horizon just after 21.20pm.
Meteor Showers :-
On the night’s of the 22nd and into the 23rd of April will be the maximum of the Lyrid meteor shower. These shooting stars appear to emanate from the constellation Lyra as debris from Comet Thatcher burns up in the Earth’s atmosphere and they often leave glowing trails of dust. They will be at their best for observing in the early morning after the Moon has set at 2am.
Special Events :-
2nd April – The full Moon will be near to the star Spica
3rd April – The almost full Moon will float near the moderately bright star with the odd-sounding name, Zubenelgenubi. It’s the brightest star in the Libra the Scales. The bright star Spica is nearby.
7th April – The Moon is near the star Antares.
18th April – The thinnest crescent Moon lies to the lower right of bright Venus, with the star Aldebaran and the Pleiades star cluster above.
19th April – the crescent Moon and Venus make a stunning match in the western sky, as the evening grows dark. The star Aldebaran is to the left, with the Pleiades right below the Moon. It will be an even better view using binoculars or a low power telescope.
22nd April – The bright star to the left of the almost half Moon, is the gas giant planet Jupiter, with the stars Castor and Pollux above.
Phases of the Moon for April:-
Full Moon 2nd April
Last quarter 10th April
New Moon 17th April
First quarter 24th April