The Twin Stars of April's Evening Sky

Of the five naked-eye planets, Venus and Jupiter offer the best viewing conditions this April. According to astronomy sources, dazzling Venus hangs low in the west-northwest for about two hours after sunset, while brilliant Jupiter climbs high in the south-southwest at dusk and remains visible well past midnight. Mercury, Mars, and Saturn, by contrast, lurk near the east-southeast horizon at dawn, swamped by morning twilight and difficult to observe.

Venus: A Crescent Moon Encounter and a Pleiades Flyby

Venus climbs a little higher each week throughout April, remaining at least 10 degrees above the horizon 45 minutes after sunset from early April through early September. During this stretch, telescopes will reveal its disk gradually growing and entering a crescent phase.

On the evening of April 18, look low toward the west-northwest shortly after sunset for an ultra-thin crescent moon — just 4% illuminated — with Venus shining steadily about six degrees to its upper left.

April 23 brings two highlights at once. Venus makes its closest approach to the Pleiades star cluster, passing about 3.5 degrees to their lower left — a lovely sight in binoculars. On that same evening, Venus slides just three-quarters of a degree from sixth-magnitude Uranus, offering a rare chance to identify the greenish ice giant in a small telescope or binoculars without a star chart.

Jupiter: High and Brilliant with Gemini's Twin Stars

The solar system's largest planet is the first star-like object to appear at dusk after Venus, riding high in the west. The twin leading stars of Gemini — Pollux and Castor — float above it, while telescope users can enjoy fine planetary views for several hours after dark.

Mercury, Mars, Saturn: The Dawn Trio

Mercury reaches greatest western elongation on April 3 but rises less than an hour before the sun and sits very low in the brightening sky. Binoculars can help locate it about 10 degrees south of due east. Only observers in southern states or low latitudes are likely to see it with the naked eye.

Mars reaches 24 degrees west of the sun by month's end but at magnitude +1.2 remains the hardest of the three morning planets to spot. Saturn slowly gains altitude toward late April. On April 16, observers near the tropics can catch a pre-dawn grouping of Saturn, Mercury, Mars, and a narrow crescent moon — all in a single binocular view.

Viewing Tips

• A clenched fist held at arm's length measures roughly 10 degrees — useful for gauging separations.
• Binoculars are strongly recommended for the three dawn planets.
• Southern Hemisphere observers will find all three morning planets significantly higher and easier to see.