The impressive Super Pink Moon was captured in Seine et Marne, France on April 16th, 2022. April is a fortunate month for those seeking more celestial sightings. Not long after sunset on April 2, a beautiful alignment of the crescent moon and Jupiter in the western sky was observed, appearing to be mere inches apart, as noted by the SkySafari stargazing app. Following this, on April 5, the moon was seen in close proximity to Mars in the southwestern sky.
In addition to these sightings, April promises a meteor shower with potential fireballs and one of the smallest full moons of the year, offering plenty of reasons to stay up late or rise early for some skywatching. Keep your binoculars at the ready and consider visiting a dark-sky park for an optimal viewing experience.
Here’s a preview of what to expect this weekend, along with the top celestial events to watch for this month:
April 11-13: Early Morning Venus, Mercury, and Saturn
Set your alarm for the weekend of April 11-13 to catch a spectacular view of Venus, Mercury, and Saturn above the eastern horizon roughly 30 to 40 minutes before sunrise each morning. Venus, being the brightest, will rise first, followed shortly by Saturn and Mercury. Neptune will also be rising around this time, although it may be challenging to spot. For the best view, find an area with an open view to the eastern sky, such as a lakeside spot.
April 12: Full Pink Micromoon
At 8:22 p.m. ET on April 12, witness one of the smallest full moons of the year – a phenomenon known as a “micromoon,” occurring when the moon is at its farthest point from Earth. Despite its “pink moon” moniker, this micromoon won’t actually appear pink. The name is tied to the blooming of vibrant creeping phlox ground cover in North America during this period.
April 21: Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation
On April 21 at 3 p.m. ET, Mercury will reach its farthest distance from the sun, making it an ideal time to observe this swift planet. Look for Mercury above the eastern horizon around 45 minutes before sunrise, with Venus and Saturn also visible around the same time.
April 22: Lyrid Meteor Shower Peak
The Lyrid meteor shower, known for its fast and vivid shooting stars, peaks in the pre-dawn hours of April 22. Although not the most prolific shower, it can produce around 18 meteors per hour under optimal conditions. To witness this celestial display, head to a dark-sky location away from city lights and keep an eye out for the constellation Lyra, especially the bright star Vega.
April 25: Moon-Planet Pyramid
Before sunrise on April 25, a striking alignment of the waning crescent moon, Saturn, and Venus will
The article on Travel & Leisure mentions the eastern horizon, where Mercury is also shining brightly close by.
