Curious about what the night sky has in store this April? It’s going to be a busy month for astronomy fanatics with a host of celestial events set to take over the skies. The planets are set to offer consistently clear views, and a dazzling meteor shower will light up the skies towards the end of the month. Plus, a full ‘Pink Moon‘ will reach peak illumination in April, and it’s set to be a ‘micro moon’. Here’s a guide to the key astronomical events to watch for in the Australian night sky in April 2025.
Full Pink Moon — April 13
The second full moon of autumn will shine brightly on April 12 at 7.22 pm AEDT. Known as the Pink Moon, this full moon takes its name from the early spring bloom of a wildflower native to eastern North America, even though the moon itself doesn’t actually appear pink.
This full moon will occur just before the moon reaches apogee — its farthest point from Earth — making it a micromoon. The opposite of a supermoon, which appears larger and brighter, a micromoon is smaller and dimmer when viewed from Earth.
If you’re keen to catch a glimpse, keep an eye out for the moonrise and moonset of your location here.
Lyrid Meteor Shower — April 22
The Lyrid Meteor Shower will be active from April 16 to 25, with its peak occurring on April 22. Known for its fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs, the shower is said to produce up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. The best time to catch the display is during the second half of the night, with optimal viewing in the early morning hours before sunrise. Learn more about the Lyrid Meteor Shower on earthsky.org.
Planet Sightings — April 25 or 26
April offers plenty of opportunities to spot planets in the sky. Early risers will be rewarded with a spectacular celestial display on the mornings of April 25 and 26, when four planets — Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Neptune (visible through a telescope) — will appear within a few degrees of each other, alongside the Moon. You can also continue to see Jupiter in the western sky (the direction of the sunset in Australia), but it’s slowly moving behind the sun, so stay up late before it disappears from view.
Stargazing tips
Here are some general stargazing tips to make your nighttime adventure even more memorable:
- Get away from the city, and find a location with dark skies. In NSW, some recommended spots include Warrumbungle National Park, Coonabarabran, and Palm Beach Headland right here in Sydney.
- Give your eyes time to adjust to the night sky — it’s recommended to give your eyes 30-45 minutes to fully adapt to the darkness. For the best unobstructed views of the nightscapes, Space.com recommends lying flat on your back and taking in as much of the sky as possible.
- Look for wide, open fields or elevated areas around the early morning hours before sunrise.