Looking in the evening sky as darkness falls early this month, and the planets Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus and Mercury will be found, roughly in a line towards the western horizon.

Mercury will be quite hard to spot unless you have a clear view towards the western horizon. Venus will remain exceptionally bright, an unmistakable sight in the evening sky. Venus is currently at its furthest point from the Sun in its seven year orbit.

Full Moon - 5th April

The constellation of Leo is clearly visible in the evening sky, lying between the Moon and Jupiter. Also visible is Virgo, lying close to the southeastern horizon, with Spica, the fourteenth brightest star in the sky, marking its location.

The is a full moon on the 5th of the month and the next new month is on the 19th.

Lyrid meteor shower

It will be worth keeping a close eye on the night skies around the 21st April. The Lyrid meteor shower is expected to peak around then. The Lyrids have a peak frequency of around 10 per hour.

To view them, stand facing towards the north or south and look up at about 45 degrees.

Remember to be patient, you will only see a meteor every six minutes or so.

Richard Angwin
Points West Weatherman