April 2025 will probably be an thrilling time for astronomy fanatics, with quite a lot of stargazing occasions lighting up the night time sky. From conjunctions of the Moon with vibrant planets and star clusters to meteor showers and deep-sky objects at their finest viewing positions, there’s one thing for everybody to get pleasure from. Whether or not you’re utilizing a telescope or just wanting up with the bare eye, this month’s cosmic lineup guarantees breathtaking sights.
Would you prefer to be notified of stargazing occasions?
Checklist of Meteor Showers in April 2025
- Antihelion Supply: Begin on December 10; a number of peaks; finish September 10.
- Lyrids: Begin on April 16; peak on April 22; finish on April 25.
- π-Puppids: Begin on April 15; peak on April 23; finish on April 28.
- η-Aquariids: Begin on April 19; peak on Could 5; finish on Could 28.
We even have a whole checklist of meteor showers for your complete yr of 2025 right here.
Checklist of Planetary Conjunctions in April 2025
- Shut strategy of the Moon and the Pleiades in Taurus on April 1.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter in Taurus on April 3.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mars in Gemini on April 5.
- Conjunction of Mercury and Neptune in Pisces on April 16.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Venus in Pisces on April 25.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Pisces on April 25.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury in Pisces and Cetus on April 26.
- Shut strategy of Venus, Saturn and Neptune in Pisces on April 28.
- Conjunction of Venus and Saturn in Pisces on April 29.
- Shut strategy of the Moon and the Pleiades in Taurus on April 29.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter in Taurus on April 30.
April 1: Shut strategy of the Moon and the Pleiades
The Moon and the Pleiades (also called M45 or Messier 45) will make a detailed strategy, passing inside 38.8 arcminutes of one another.
Each objects will probably be within the constellation of Taurus with the Moon being at obvious magnitude -10.8; and the Pleiades at 1.3. The Moon won’t be interfering with stargazing a lot this early April 2025 as will probably be 3 days outdated and waxing crescent at 21%
April 2: The Sombrero Galaxy at its highest level within the sky
The Sombrero Galaxy (see featured picture on the prime), also called Messier 104 (M104) or NGC 4594, is a peculiar galaxy of unclear classification situated within the constellation of Virgo. It will get its identify from its distinctive look resembling a Mexican hat, with a distinguished central bulge surrounded by a flat, disk-like construction of stars, mud, and gasoline. It’s situated 31.1 million light-years away within the Virgo II Teams, a collection of galaxy clusters and particular person galaxies stretching out from the southern fringe of the Virgo Supercluster.
The galaxy will attain its highest level within the sky at round midnight native time. It would attain obvious magnitude of 8.6, which implies it is going to require at massive telescope to have the ability to distinguish the bulge from the disk. The Moon will probably be a 4 days outdated waxing crescent at 22%.
April 3: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
The Moon and Jupiter will probably be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 5°30′ of one another.
Across the identical time, the 2 our bodies may even make a detailed strategy (appulse) reaching 5°28′ from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
The 2 celestial our bodies will meet within the constellation of Taurus with the Moon at obvious magnitude of -11.3 and Jupiter at -2.1. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the shut strategy of the Moon and the Pleiades on April 1st.) The Moon will probably be a 5 days outdated waxing crescent at 32%.
April 5: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars
The Moon and Mars will probably be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 2°09′ of one another.
Across the identical time, the 2 our bodies may even make a detailed strategy (appulse) reaching 2°06′ from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
Search for the 2 our bodies within the constellation of Gemini. The Moon will probably be at obvious magnitude of -12.0, whereas Mars will probably be at magnitude 0.5. The Moon will probably be waxing gibbous (62%) at 7 days outdated.
April 16: Conjunction of Mercury and Neptune
Mercury and Neptune will attain conjunction passing inside 41′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
Mercury will probably be at obvious magnitude 0.5 and Neptune at magnitude 8.0 each within the constellation of Pisces. Sadly the Moon will begin to intervene with stargazing this center of April 2025 as will probably be 18 days outdated waning gibbous at 84%.
April 16: Mars at aphelion
Throughout its 687-day orbit across the Solar, Mars will attain its aphelion, or furthest level to the Solar, at a distance of 1.67 AU.
Mars’ orbit is noticeably elliptical compared to nearly all of planets, which have practically completely round orbits across the Solar with minor variations in distance of just a few %. Its distance from the Solar fluctuates from 1.38 AU to 1.67 AU, which signifies that at aphelion, Mars receives 31% much less gentle and warmth from the Solar than it does at perihelion.
Mars will probably be at obvious magnitude 0.7 within the constellation of Most cancers. The Moon will probably be 18 days outdated waning gibbous at 84%.
April 17: Mercury at aphelion
Throughout its 88-day orbit across the Solar, Mercury will attain its aphelion, or furthest level to the Solar, at a distance of 0.47 AU.
Mercury’s orbit, like that of Mars, is considerably elliptical in in comparison with nearly all of planets, which have practically completely round orbits across the Solar with small distance fluctuations of about a number of %. Mercury’s distance from the Solar varies between 0.307 and 0.467 AU, implying that at aphelion, it receives roughly half as a lot gentle and warmth from the Solar because it does at perihelion.
Mercury will probably be within the constellation of Pisces. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of Mercury and Neptune on April 16.) The Moon will probably be 19 days outdated waning gibbous at 78%.
April 21: Mercury at best western elongation
Mercury will probably be at its highest level above the horizon within the morning sky, making it the very best time to view the planet. Search for it low within the japanese sky simply earlier than dawn.
It is going to be at obvious magnitude 0.3 within the constellation of Pisces. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of Mercury and Neptune on April 16.) The Moon will probably be 23 days outdated, waning crescent at 38%.
April 22: Dwarf planet Haumea at opposition
At about midnight native time, the dwarf planet Haumea (minor-planet designation of 136108 Haumea) will attain the very best level within the sky and be reverse of the Solar. Look within the constellation of Bootes with a big telescope, as it is going to have an obvious magnitude of 17.2. At across the identical time Haumea may even attain its closest level to the Earth (perigee) at a distance of 49.01 AU.
April 22: Lyrid meteor bathe peak
The Lyrids will peak this April 2025 with a zenithal hourly price of 18 meteors if stargazing circumstances are optimum.
Some meteors may be noticed between April 16 and April 25. They may radiate from the constellation of Lyra however close to Hercules, on the velocity of 49 km/s on common. The Moon will probably be a 24 days outdated waning crescent at 29%.
April 23: Pinwheel Galaxy at its highest level within the sky
The Pinwheel Galaxy, also called Messier 101 (M101) or NGC 5457, is a stupendous face-on spiral galaxy situated 21 million light-years away within the constellation of Ursa Main.
The galaxy will attain its highest level within the sky at round midnight native time. It would attain obvious magnitude 7.9, which you’ll want a telescope for optimum viewing. The Moon will probably be a 25 days outdated waning crescent at 24%.
April 23: π-Puppid meteor bathe peak
The Pi Puppids are a small variable meteor bathe. The way forward for this bathe is unsure since Jupiter perturbed the orbit of the dad or mum comet in 1999. The meteors from this bathe originate from the comet 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup, which now orbits additional out from Earth.
Some meteors may be noticed between April 15 and April 28. They may radiate from the constellation of Puppis on the velocity of 18 km/s on common. The Moon will probably be a 25 days outdated waning crescent at 17%.
April 25: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus
The Moon and Venus will probably be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 2°23′ of one another.
At across the identical time the 2 our bodies may even make a detailed strategy (appulse) reaching 2°05′ from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
Search for the 2 our bodies within the constellation of Pisces. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of Mercury and Neptune on April 16.) The Moon will probably be a 27 days outdated, very skinny waning crescent at 7%. Regardless of this, the Moon will nonetheless be at obvious magnitude of -10.4, whereas Venus will probably be at magnitude -4.5. Saturn may even be close by, ready for its personal conjunction quickly.
April 25: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and Saturn will attain conjunction passing inside 2°17′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
At across the identical time the 2 our bodies may even make a detailed strategy (appulse) reaching 2°00′ from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
The Moon will probably be at obvious magnitude -10.3 within the constellation of Pisces and Saturn at magnitude 1.0 within the neighboring constellation of Aquarius. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of Mercury and Neptune on April 16.) The Moon will probably be a 27 days outdated, very skinny waning crescent at 6%. Venus may even be close by, nonetheless lingering after its personal conjunction earlier.
April 26: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury
The Moon and Mercury will probably be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 4°23′ of one another.
The 2 celestial our bodies will meet on the fringe of the constellations of Pisces and Cetus. The Moon will probably be at obvious magnitude -9.5 for and Mercury at 0.2. The Moon will probably be a 28 days outdated, very skinny waning crescent at 2% and won’t intervene a lot with stargazing this finish of April 2025.
April 28: Shut strategy of Venus, Saturn and Neptune
The planets Venus, Saturn and Neptune will make a detailed strategy (appulse) reaching 3°42′ of one another.
The trio will meet within the constellation Pisces with Venus at obvious magnitude of -4.5, Saturn at 1.0, and Neptune at 7.9. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of Mercury and Neptune on April 16.) The Moon will probably be someday outdated waxing crescent at 4%.
You’ll need a telescope to view the trio as a result of Neptune will not be seen to the bare eye. In any other case you’ll solely see the opposite two planets at shut strategy.
April 29: Conjunction of Venus and Saturn
Venus and Saturn will attain conjunction passing inside 3°43′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
Venus will probably be at obvious magnitude -4.5 and Saturn at magnitude 1.0 each within the constellation of Pisces. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of Mercury and Neptune on April 16.) The Moon will probably be a 2 days outdated waxing crescent at 5%.
April 29: Shut strategy of the Moon and the Pleiades
The Moon and the Pleiades (also called M45 or Messier 45) will make a detailed strategy, passing inside 34.2 arcminutes of one another.
Each objects will probably be within the constellation of Taurus with the Moon being at obvious magnitude -9.2; and the Pleiades at 1.3. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the shut strategy of the Moon and the Pleiades on April 1st.) The Moon will probably be a 2 days outdated waxing crescent at 5%.
April 30: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
The Moon and Jupiter will probably be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 5°23′ of one another.
Across the identical time, the 2 our bodies may even make a detailed strategy (appulse) reaching 5°22′ from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
The 2 celestial our bodies will meet within the constellation of Taurus with the Moon at obvious magnitude of -10.5 and Jupiter at -2.0. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the shut strategy of the Moon and the Pleiades on April 1st.) The Moon will probably be a 3 days outdated waxing crescent at 16%.
Moon Phases in April 2025
As you realize, the Moon has a huge impact on the visibility of celestial our bodies and astronomical occasions within the night time sky. So that will help you with stargazing, right here’s a calendar of the phases of Moon for this month of April 2025:
Positions of the Planets in April 2025
- Mercury: The closest planet to the Solar may be seen at daybreak and nightfall travelling throughout the constellation of Pisces. This planet, being the closest to the Solar, will seem to maneuver shortly within the night time sky and its place will change within the following weeks.
- Venus: The sister planet may be seen travelling throughout the constellation of Pisces. Similar to Mercury, Venus can solely be seen at daybreak and nightfall.
- Mars: The pink planet may be seen within the constellation of Gemini after which Most cancers.
- Jupiter: The gasoline big is seen within the constellation of Taurus. Jupiter can simply be noticed with the bare eye, even in extremely illuminated cities.
- Saturn: The ringed big may be seen with the bare eye within the constellation of Aquarius.
- Uranus: The ice big may be seen within the constellation of Taurus with using a telescope.
- Neptune: The blue big requires a telescope pointed within the constellation of Pisces with a view to be seen.
Positions of Dwarf Planets and Massive Asteroids in April 2025
- Ceres: The asteroid belt’s lone dwarf planet may be seen within the constellation of Aquarius with the assistance of a telescope.
- Vesta: This massive asteroid may be seen within the constellation of Libra with a telescope.
- Pallas: The asteroid may be noticed with a telescope within the constellation of Delphinus.
- Hygiea: The fourth largest asteroid may be discovered with a telescope within the constellation of Aries.
- Pluto: This distant dwarf planet may be discovered within the constellation of Capricornus with the assistance of a giant telescope.
Main astronomical occasions subsequent month – Could 2025
- Could 2: Asteroid 4 Vesta at opposition
- Could 5: η-Aquariid meteor bathe peak
- Could 8: η-Lyrid meteor bathe peak
- Could 9: Asteroid 9 Metis at opposition
- Could 31: τ-Herculid meteor bathe peak
Conclusion
Stargazing in April 2025 provides a spectacular lineup of celestial occasions, from planetary conjunctions to meteor showers and deep-sky observations. Whether or not you’re a seasoned astronomer or an informal stargazer, there’s one thing to get pleasure from within the night time sky.
To make sure you don’t miss out on any celestial happenings, join our publication to obtain stargazing calendars and extra updates. Preserve your telescopes prepared and clear your calendar for these cosmic highlights!
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