Discover April’s Night Sky Events: Planet Parade & Full Pink Moon
Comet MAPS will make a close approach to the sun, skimming about 850,000 miles from its surface. This sun-grazing passage could either shred the comet or trigger a bright display if it survives.
Where and how it may appear
Observers in the Southern Hemisphere have the best chance to see the comet if it brightens. Northern viewers should expect only brief sightings, with the object staying low on the horizon.
Pre-dawn planet parade: April 16–23
An unusual planet parade will be visible each morning from about April 16 through April 23. The show lasts roughly thirty minutes before sunrise, just above the eastern horizon.
Mercury, Mars and Saturn will line up in a compact group. Their arrangement will change over several mornings, tightening into a pyramid, stretching into a diagonal, then shifting again.
The closest grouping occurs between April 18 and 20. Those dates provide the most striking views of the trio.
Viewing tips
- Select a site with a clear view of the eastern horizon.
- Large bodies of water, like lakes, offer unobstructed sightlines.
- Arrive early to catch the half-hour window before sunrise.
April offers multiple sky attractions this year. In addition to the planet parade, enthusiasts are paying attention to the Full Pink Moon.
