The Lyrids meteor shower peaks this week.
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Each Monday I pick out the northern hemisphere’s celestial highlights for the week ahead, but be sure to check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, eclipses and astronomy.
What To Watch For In The Night Sky This Week: April 20-26, 2020
April is one of the best months for stargazing of the entire year, and this month is blessed with some stunning sights to impress beginners and night sky experts alike. It’s also International Dark Sky Week (April 19-26), with some interesting online talks and events planned.
Outside, super-bright Venus will be visible in the western sky right after sunset, but wait until about 9 p.m. to go out stargazing—that’s when it gets properly dark enough for … shooting stars!
Tuesday and Wednesday, April 21-22, 2020: the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower
Around midnight is the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower, the first display of shooting stars since January—and likely to be one of 2020’s best. A result of debris left by Comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher) in the solar system, the Lyrid meteor shower runs annually from April 16-30. Find a place with as big a view of the night sky as possible, and if you are able (though this is less important) look generally towards the eastern night sky. You could see about 20 shooting stars per hour with just your own wide eyes (if you have binoculars or a telescope, leave them well alone—they will actively prevent you from seeing any shooting stars).
On Wednesday it’s also “Earth Day” for the 50th time.
Shooting stars over Lake Duolun, Inner Mongolia, China.
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Thursday, April 23, 2020: New Moon
A New Moon can’t be seen, but that’s kinda the point here. Since it’s New Moon—when our satellite is close to the sun—we don’t see it, and nor does its reflected light trouble our night skies. That means it’s as dark as it gets, so it’s April’s best “stargazing window.” That’s great news for night sky watchers, and the reason why the Lyrids have a chance to really standout and impress this year. It’s also worth getting out tonight to look for shooting stars since the Lyrid meteor shower tends to have a long peak.
A portrait of the two groups of half-sisters related in mythology as daughters of Atlas: the Hyades, … [+]
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Saturday, April 25, 2020: A crescent Moon between clusters
Look west after sunset and you’ll see a slim waxing crescent moon perfectly placed between two of the night sky’s most spectacular sights—the Hyades and Pleiades open star clusters. Note rosy red giant star Aldebaran close to the Hyades. It’s the eye of Taurus (the bull).
Sunday, April 26, 2020: A waxing crescent moon and Venus
After crossing into the constellation of Taurus, the waxing crescent moon will shine close to the ultra-bright planet Venus. Look southwest after sunset.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
