The change in the clocks and lighter nights become an increasing problem for observing.
Planets:
Mercury: Mercury will still be visible in the evening sky at the very start of the month. This month, having reached greatest eastern elongation on the 24th March. It starts the month with an elongation of +17o, but rapidly drops to +11o by the 5th April. It will then rapidly be lost as it reaches inferior conjunction on 11th April; therefore, look for it early in the month.
Venus: Venus is still a morning object but is rather difficult to see. Its elongation drops to -10o by the end of the month. Its magnitude remains at -3.8 as the phase increases to 98% by the end of the month as it approaches superior conjunction in June. The diameter remains around 10 arcsec during this month.
Mars: It remains a difficult morning object throughout at magnitude +1.1 and diameter of 4.7 arcsec. Its declination increases this month to +1o putting it a bit higher in the sky.
Jupiter: Jupiter is becoming difficult this month, being low in the western sky after sunset. It is approaching conjunction in mid-May.
Saturn is not observable this month as it is still too close to the Sun in the morning sky.
Uranus is no longer visible this month as it sets not long after the Sun.
Neptune. Neptune is not observable this month.
The Sun
Solar activity is still increasing, and solar observations are a good idea.
Take great care to never look directly at the Sun, or directly through an optical instrument.
Aurora Borealis: Increasing solar activity increases the chance of seeing an aurora. There are a number of Apps that can give you warnings and chances of seeing Aurorae. Mine is called Aurora Pro.
Meteor Showers: The Lyrid meteor shower occurs between the 14th and 30th April. The peak is on the 22nd April, so the full Moon makes this rather unfavourable.
Moon
2nd April: Moon is at last quarter. 8th April: New Moon**
15th April: Moon is at First Quarter 23rd April: Full Moon
**There will be a total solar eclipse on the 8th April. This will not be visible at all in the UK.
Comet 12P Pons-Brooks This comet reaches perihelion on 21st April but may be visible low in the west after sunset. It could reach magnitude 4 and be visible to the naked eye, or at least in binoculars. Its brightness is unpredictable and prone to outbursts. I recommend you look online for the latest up to date information.
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