April 2025 offers skywatchers several beautiful lunar events, from delicate crescent moons alongside bright planets to the full “Pink Moon” lighting up the night sky. Whether you’re an astrophotographer, a dedicated observer, or just an admirer of the moon’s beauty, this month has something for everyone. Here’s what to look forward to:
1. Crescent Moon Near Jupiter And The Pleiades
When: After sunset on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
Where: Western sky.
As twilight fades, a 17%-illuminated waxing crescent moon will appear close to the giant planet Jupiter and the spectacular Pleiades open cluster of stars. This is the kind of brief alignment that gets stargazers and photographers outside with cameras
2. The Full ‘Pink Moon’ Rising
When: During dusk on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Where: Eastern sky.
April’s full moon, known as the “pink moon,” will rise just after sunset, appearing on the eastern horizon. As a bonus, it will shine near Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo and a key bright star of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. In parts of South America, Spica will be briefly occulted by the moon.
3. Slim Crescent Moon and Venus at Dawn
When: An hour before sunrise on Sunday, April 27, 2025.
Where: Eastern sky.
A delicate 26%-lit waning crescent moon will rise just before dawn close to Venus in its new apparition as the brilliant “Morning Star.” After so many months of shining brightly after sunset, Venus has overtaken Earth on the inside on its 225 (Earth) day orbit of the sun and is now pulling away from us. Venus will be shining at a brilliant mag. -4.5.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
