4/5/2025 April Night Sky

🌌 What to Look for in the Virginia Night Sky – April 2025

April in Virginia brings longer days and warmer nights—perfect for getting outside and exploring the night sky. Whether you're a beginner or a budding astronomer, there’s a lot to see with just your eyes or a simple pair of binoculars. Here’s what to watch for this month!

🌞 We Are at Solar Maximum!

Right now, we are experiencing Solar Maximum—the peak of the Sun’s 11-year activity cycle. This means the Sun is more active than usual, producing more sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).

Why does this matter to you?

• Auroras (Northern Lights): While usually seen farther north, strong solar storms can push them farther south—sometimes even into parts of Virginia! Keep an eye on aurora alerts and space weather forecasts.
  
  

• Radio Blackouts & GPS Glitches: Solar flares can temporarily disrupt communication and navigation signals.
  
  

• Safe Sun Viewing: With proper solar filters or eclipse glasses, you can safely view sunspots during the day.
  
  

You can monitor solar activity using websites like SpaceWeather.com or apps like Aurora Alerts or the Glendale App.

🌕 Full Pink Moon – April 12

On April 12, the Full Pink Moon rises around 8:22 p.m. EDT. It's named after pink spring wildflowers, not the moon's color. It’s also the Paschal Moon, which determines the date for Easter—falling on April 20 this year.

☄️ Lyrid Meteor Shower – Peaks April 21–22

Look to the sky overnight from April 21 to April 22 for the Lyrid meteor shower. Expect around 10–20 meteors per hour. These meteors are fast, bright, and sometimes leave glowing trails. Best viewing is after midnight in a dark area.

🌙 Planet Parade – April 25

On the morning of April 25, look east before sunrise for a celestial alignment. The crescent Moon will appear close to Venus, Saturn, and Mercury. Venus will be the brightest and easiest to spot.

🌌 The Milky Way Makes Its Return

In late April, the Milky Way becomes visible again in the early morning hours. It appears as a faint, milky band stretching across the sky. To see it, head to a dark location away from city lights—like one of Virginia’s Dark Sky Parks.

⭐ Orion – Last Call Until Fall

The constellation Orion the Hunter is still visible in the southwest after sunset, but only for a few more weeks. Look for the three stars that form Orion’s Belt. The bright reddish star Betelgeuse and bluish-white Rigel mark his shoulders and knees.

Below the belt is the Orion Nebula, a glowing cloud where new stars are born. You can even spot it without a telescope if the sky is dark enough!

🌟 International Dark Sky Week – April 21–28

This week promotes awareness of light pollution and celebrates the night sky. Virginia is home to several International Dark Sky Parks, including:

• Natural Bridge State Park (event on April 25, 8:30–10:30 p.m.)
  
  

• Staunton River State Park
  
  

• Natural Tunnel State Park
  
  

• Sky Meadows State Park
  
  

These parks offer guided stargazing events that are great for families and students alike.

🗓 Other Stargazing Opportunities

• Staunton River State Park: Self-guided meteor shower nights (April 16–25)
  
  

• Sky Meadows State Park: “Astronomy for Everyone” programs
  
  

• Natural Tunnel State Park: “Touring the Galaxy” events (April 5 & 19)
  
  

🔭 Stargazing Tips

• Dark skies = better viewing. Leave the city and let your eyes adjust to the dark (takes about 20–30 minutes).
  
  

• Use red light instead of white to preserve night vision.
  
  

• Apps like Star Walk, Sky Guide, or Stellarium make identifying stars and planets easy.
  
  

• Bring binoculars or a telescope if you have one, but many sights can be seen with just your eyes!
  
  

So this April, whether you're tracking meteors, spotting planets, or hunting for Orion, don't forget—we're also riding the wave of a solar stormy season. The universe is putting on a show, and you're invited!