TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taipei Astronomical Museum said April offers an ideal opportunity for stargazing, with a series of notable celestial events set to appear in the night sky throughout the month.
Among the highlights are a rare three-planet alignment involving Mars, Mercury, and Saturn, the annual April Lyrid meteor shower, and a close approach between Venus and the Pleiades star cluster, per a press release.
On the morning of April 20, Mars, Mercury, and Saturn will cluster within about 2 degrees of one another in the eastern sky before sunrise. The planets will vary in brightness and color, creating a striking scene for observers and photographers.
In the early hours of April 23, the April Lyrid meteor shower will reach its peak. Known for fast, bright meteors, the shower is expected to produce around 10 meteors per hour.
The moon will set at 11:45 p.m. the night before, leaving darker skies during the second half of the night and improving viewing conditions. Observers are advised to find locations with minimal light pollution and a wide, open view for the best chance of seeing meteors.
From April 23 to April 25, Venus will appear close to the Pleiades star cluster, with the closest approach occurring on April 24. Shining at magnitude minus 3.9, Venus will be visible in the west-northwestern sky after sunset, complementing the cluster’s stars in a notable springtime display.
The museum encouraged the public to take advantage of these events, noting that from dusk to dawn there will be ample opportunities to observe the spring sky. More information on April’s celestial events is available on the Taipei Astronomical Museum’s website.
