This April 2023, sky viewers are in for a treat, as several cosmic events are lining up. What's even better is that they can be viewed directly from earth.
April 2023 Sky Viewing Watchlist
Mercury's Peak
According to NASA, the smallest and fastest planet, Mercury, will reach its highest point on April 11. It will also be in its most visible state in the night sky this year.
Generally, Mercury's visibility lasts for a couple of weeks and occurs every three to four months. At times when it is not visible, the planet is too near the sun to the point where its bright glare gets overpowered.
As per SciTechDaily, some of the planet's fleeting appearances, also referred to as "apparitions," are easier to observe compared to others. This is due to several reasons, including how the views of the solar system change as the seasons change and the specific hemisphere one is situated in.
For this specific appearance, the best viewing schedule for Mercury's peak would be from April 3 until the 11th.
Venus Encounter
Another event is set to happen this April 11, as Venus can be spotted right beside the Pleiades cluster of stars. These two objects will be close enough to each other that, with binoculars, they may be seen within the same view field.
Moon's Pairings
In April 2023's latter half, sky viewers get to witness the moon's approach with three of the sky's brightest planets. In fact, by the 15th and 16th, one may spot the crescent moon rising alongside Saturn. Sky viewers can witness this in the lower southeastern sky just a few hours before the sun rises and hits the horizon.
By April 23 evening, the moon can also be seen hanging slightly above earth's evil twin, Venus, across the west post-sunset.
By April 25, the moon will be close to Mars and can be seen up in the west when the skies are dark.
By the 26th and 27th, the moon will be at the first-quarter stage, which means that it will come as a half moon.
Lyrid Meteor Shower
The annual Lyrid meteor shower is also set to happen this month. According to Inverse, lyrids are moderate showers that fill the night sky each spring. It is important to note that, compared to other types of showers, lyrids are not as bright and frequent. Hence, it may be hard for those in urban areas to get a good view of the cosmic event.
The best place to witness this annual Lyrid meteor shower would be from the northern hemisphere, though they may still be seen from those in the south. To do so, look for the Vega star, which belongs to the Lyra constellation. Meteors will then appear radiating close to this constellation.
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