See Two Meteor Showers And A ‘Planet Parade:' The Night Sky This Week
Geminid Meteor Shower 2020 over pond and direct road in Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife ... More Management Area near Punta Gorda, Florida. The Geminids meteor shower is caused by the object 3200 Phaethon which is thought to be a Palladian asteroid with a "rock comet" orbit. Geminids were first observed in 1862.
Each Monday, I pick out North America's celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the northern hemisphere). Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more.
With a full pink moon on the wane, this coming week will see our satellite rise later each night, eventually becoming a post-midnight object by the weekend. During that journey, sky-watchers will see the peak of a meteor shower and the return — albeit just before dawn — of a par ade of four planets, with Venus and Saturn impressing. Here's everything you need to know about stargazing and astronomy this week:
A short annual meteor shower — the first since January — officially begins tonight and lasts through April 26. Although the peak night (when about 20 shooting stars per hour will be seen) won't occur until next week (in the early hours of Tuesday, April 22), if you go stargazing this week, you'll probably see one or two Lyrids. Although clear and dark skies are essential — the latter will be problematic before midnight this week — the Lyrids can produce occasional bright fireballs among its roughly 18 per hour at its peak.
Saturday, April 19: Venus, Saturn And Mercury Rising
Another planet parade? The media's obsession with March's display of four bright planets in the post-sunset sky ended when dim Saturn, then bright Venus, disappeared into the sun's glare. They've since re-emerged in the pre-dawn night sky. This morning, Mercury will join them, though it's a sight only for the precise observer who looks east about 45 minutes before sunrise. It's one of the best times in 2025 to see the 'swift planet,' though by far the easier target will be Venus. If you use binoculars, put them away before sunrise where you are to keep your eyes safe.
The Lyrids aren't the only annual meteor shower to kick off this week. The result of rocks and dust left in Earth's orbital path by none other than Halley's Comet, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower — one of the longest-lasting of the year — begins tonight and continues through May 21. Its peak will come in the early hours of Sunday, May 4, when about 30 shooting stars per hour can be seen from north of the equator. South of the equator is more like 60 per hour.
Today also sees the moon reach its last quarter phase, when it rises after midnight, clearing the evening hours of moonlight and making them ideal for stargazing.
Relatively little known yet visible for much of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, the constellation of Boötes is easy to find. Use the stars of the Big Dipper's handle, now high in the northern sky, to come down in an 'arc to Arcturus,' a bright golden-looking red giant star above the east after dark. With Arcturus at the center, use its surrounding stars to shape a cocktail glass. Boötes is a herdsman, but hey, whatever works.
The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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