Since the dawn of man, we have all looked to the stars. Sometimes for answers to questions that we’ll never get and sometimes just to gaze at the skies above us. One thing always remains constant, the space that is above us is a work of art. All kinds of space dust fell together billions of years ago to make up the outer space we know today. Sometimes, space likes to show off that beauty. 

A Few Extra Lights

During the month of April, some of our neighboring planets in the solar system will kindly make their presence felt. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will all be visible in April. This is not the first time an event like this has occurred and it certainly won’t be the last. You’ll be able to see these planets with the naked eye as well, although a pair of binoculars might help as well. 

During the first week of April, many will be able to spot Venus, Saturn, and Mars in the morning skies. The triplet of planets will be visible in the east-southeast sky just before sunrise. The trifecta will all be within 6 degrees of separation from each other. As the days go on, the configuration will change. 

Beginning on April 5, Mars and Saturn will be closer to each other. The distance between the planets will be closer than the diameter of the Moon. The first week is just the taste, on April 8, Jupiter will come over to play. Located far lower and to the left of the other planets, Jupiter will be visible relatively close to Venus. On April 19, all four of the visible planets so far will line up. In a diagonal line, from the bottom left to the top right will be Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and Saturn. 

Mid-April Diamonds

During the last week of April, things start to get interesting as our Moon now joins the party. Our Moon will be visible below Saturn on April 25. The next day, the Moon moves to be under Mars. The day after that, April 27, the Moon will appear below Jupiter and Venus. The crescent Moon will act as jewelry to our visiting neighbors. Jupiter and Venus will also shine seven times brighter than in the previous weeks. 

Speaking of Jupiter and Venus, during the final days of April, these planets will move closer and closer to each other. By April 30, Jupiter and Venus will stand together separated by only 0.45 degrees. The closest these two will get to each other, however, can be viewed by those in the far east. For those able to view, Jupiter and Venus will be separated by just 0.25 degrees. The reason is Venus will be passing north of Jupiter at that time. 

Luck lives in Science

Being able to view these planets from our own is just one of the ways nature has produced art. The stars we see every day, the constellations that we follow, and the planets that revolve around, all can be taken for granted. However, many may not realize that these opportunities that arise allow us to do something we may never get to do, which is see another planet with our own eyes. In the month of April, we’ll have opportunities not only to see one other planet but four.