April Stargazing: Top Celestial Highlights

April brings longer evenings and milder nights—perfect conditions for stargazing. This month features an exciting meteor shower, brilliant planetary views, and the return of some stunning spring constellations. Grab a warm drink, find a dark sky spot, and enjoy the celestial show!

The Lyrid Meteor Shower

One of the oldest known meteor showers, the Lyrids, will peak on the night of April 22–23. This shower, active from April 15 to 29, can produce up to 20 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. Lyrid meteors are known for their fast, bright streaks, sometimes leaving glowing trails.

To view the Lyrids:

• Look towards the northeastern sky after midnight, near the constellation Lyra.

• Find a dark location away from city lights for the best visibility.

• Be patient! Meteor showers can take time to reach peak activity.

The Pink Moon

April’s full moon, known as the Pink Moon, reaches its peak on April 23. Despite its name, this moon won’t actually appear pink—it’s named after the pink wildflowers that bloom in early spring. This is a great time for moonlit photography, especially as it rises in the east just after sunset.

Planets on Display

Several planets will be visible throughout April:

• Jupiter remains bright in the evening sky, setting shortly after sunset.

• Venus, the dazzling “Evening Star,” will be a brilliant sight just after sunset in the western sky.

• Mars is visible in the early morning hours, rising in the southeastern sky before dawn.

• Saturn makes its return to the morning sky, rising before sunrise in the east.

Spring Constellations

April is a great month to explore the spring constellations. Look for:

• Leo the Lion, with its bright star Regulus, high in the southern sky.

• Virgo, home to Spica, a bright blue-white star easily visible in the southeast.

• Boötes, featuring the brilliant orange star Arcturus, one of the brightest stars in the night sky.

Zodiacal Light

For those in very dark locations, April provides one of the last chances to catch the Zodiacal Light, a faint triangular glow seen just after sunset in the west. This phenomenon is caused by sunlight reflecting off interplanetary dust in the solar system. 

April Stargazing Conclusion

With a meteor shower, a full moon, and stunning planets on display, April is a fantastic month for stargazing. Whether you're watching shooting stars or tracing constellations, there's plenty to see!