This is not intended to be comprehensive. It is a quick guide to help you find a few things in the night sky without any equipment, just your eyes. All of these are bright and relatively easy to find when walking around the village.
The Planets This Month
Jupiter
Jupiter is the most prominent planet in the evening sky throughout April. At the beginning of the month, it is visible from dusk and sets at around 4am.
As the month progresses, Jupiter moves lower in the western sky and sets earlier each night. By the end of April it sets at around 1am.
On 22 April, the Moon appears close to Jupiter in the evening sky, creating a clear and attractive pairing.
Jupiter shines with a bright, steady light and does not twinkle like the surrounding stars.
Venus
Venus is visible in the evening sky and becomes easier to see as the month progresses.
At the start of April it sets about two hours after sunset, but by the end of the month it remains visible for nearly three hours after sunset.
It appears as a very bright object low in the western sky during twilight.
On 18–19 April, a thin crescent Moon appears close to Venus, creating a striking pairing.
Morning Planets (East)
Saturn becomes easier to see in the second half of April as it climbs away from the Sun’s glare. On 16 April, it appears just above the crescent Moon before dawn.
The Moon
Full Moon 2 April
April’s Full Moon is known as the Pink Moon, although it does not actually appear pink. The name comes from spring flowers that bloom at this time of year.
The Full Moon rises in the east at dusk and remains visible throughout the night.
Around mid month, the Moon becomes a thin crescent and is visible briefly either before sunrise or just after sunset.
On 18–19 April, the crescent Moon appears close to Venus.
On 22 April, the Moon appears close to Jupiter.
International Space Station
There are no convenient evening International Space Station passes this month.
All visible passes occur in the early hours of the morning, between around 2am and 5am.
While these can still be seen as a bright, steady point of light moving smoothly across the sky, they are less convenient to observe. The ISS looks like a fast moving star and does not flash like an aircraft.
For those who are up early, it is still worth checking exact timings and direction using a pass chart.
Seasonal Highlight
Lyrid Meteor Shower
The Lyrid meteor shower is active from 14 to 30 April, peaking on the nights of 21–22 April.
This is one of the oldest recorded meteor showers and can produce bright shooting stars.
The best time to look is in the early hours before dawn, when the sky is darkest.
This year there is a good opportunity for viewing, particularly earlier in the night before the Moon becomes too bright.
What Else to Look For
Leo High in the South
Leo is now high in the southern sky during the evening and is at its best this month.
Look for the distinctive backwards question mark shape that forms the lion’s head.
The Plough Overhead
The Plough is high overhead and very easy to find.
Use the two stars at the end of the “bowl” to point toward the Pole Star.
Lyra Rising
Later in the evening, look toward the east for Lyra rising.
Its brightest star, Vega, is one of the brightest stars in the sky and marks the direction of the Lyrid meteor shower.
Orion Disappearing
Orion is now low in the west after sunset and disappears completely by the end of the month, marking the end of the winter constellations.