4 Must-See Celestial Events Coming to NorCal Skies in April

April is shaping up to be an exciting month for astronomy lovers, with four celestial events lighting up the night sky. From a full pink micromoon to the annual Lyrid meteor shower and a rare planetary alignment, there’s plenty to see if skies remain clear.

Here’s what you’ll see in the skies in April:

April 12: Pink Micromoon

On Saturday, April 12, look up around 8:22 p.m. PT to catch the pink moon. Despite its name, the moon won’t actually appear pink. It’s named after the moss pink flower, a springtime bloom. It’s also a micromoon, meaning it will appear smaller than usual because it’s at its farthest point from Earth.

April 21–22: Lyrid Meteor Shower Peak

The Lyrids, one of the oldest known meteor showers, will peak on the nights of April 21 and 22. Under ideal conditions, stargazers can expect to see 10–15 meteors per hour, though occasional surges of up to 100 meteors are possible. The moon will be about 40% illuminated, so your best chance for viewing is just before moonrise on April 21.

April 25: Celestial Smiley Face

Before sunrise on April 25, the waning crescent moon will align with Venus and Saturn in the eastern sky. The three celestial bodies will form a triangle that resembles a lopsided smile.

April 27: Invisible Supermoon

The year’s closest new supermoon arrives April 27, but you won’t see it. New moons are invisible to the naked eye, even when closer than usual to Earth.

For the best viewing, find dark skies away from city lights and check the weather forecast before heading out.