5 min read<\/p>\n
What\u2019s Up: April 2024 Skywatching Tips from NASA<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\nTotal Eclipse Time!<\/strong> <\/h4>\nA total solar eclipse sweeps across the U.S. on April 8. U.S. areas outside totality will enjoy a partial eclipse and can join NASA\u2019s live eclipse webcast!<\/p>\n
Highlights<\/h2>\n\n- All month<\/strong> \u2013 Jupiter is a brilliant, steady light low in the western sky following sunset.<\/li>\n
- April 8 <\/strong>\u2013 Total solar eclipse across the U.S., as the Moon\u2019s shadow moves from Texas northward through Maine. Outside the path of totality, the rest of the continental U.S. will experience a partial eclipse. The amount of the Sun covered by the Moon at maximum eclipse depends on your distance from the path of totality.<\/li>\n
- April 8-12 <\/strong>\u2013 Mars and Saturn rise together in the hour or so preceding sunrise. They\u2019re closest on April 10 & 11 \u2013 about half a degree apart, or the width of the full Moon.)<\/li>\n
- April 10 <\/strong>\u2013 Find the slim lunar crescent (only 7% illuminated) hanging above brilliant Jupiter in the west after sunset. Comet 12P is visible with binoculars or a small telescope about 6 degrees below the Moon, just below and to the right of Jupiter.<\/li>\n
- April 23 <\/strong>\u2013 Full moon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"An](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/marssaturn-april102024-skychart.png?w=1920\")
<\/figure>\nSky chart showing Mars rising with Saturn during the second week of April. They are closest on April 10 and 11. <\/div>\nNASA\/JPL-Caltch<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nTranscript<\/h2>\n
What\u2019s Up for April? Some easy-to-spot planets, there\u2019s still time to observe comet 12P, and how to enjoy this month\u2019s solar eclipse if you\u2019re not in the path of totality.<\/p>\n
For several days in the first half of April, early risers can watch Mars and Saturn rising together in the morning. Taking a look about half an hour before sunrise, you can find them low in the east, about 10 degrees above the horizon. They\u2019re at their closest on April 10th and 11th, but still really close in the sky the whole second week of April.<\/p>\n
Now, on the evening of April 10th you can find the Moon with Jupiter in the west. Jupiter\u2019s easy to identify as a bright, unflickering light, low in the west following sunset, all month. Being just a couple of days after its \u201cnew moon\u201d phase, the Moon shows only 7% of its illuminated surface on this evening, making for a beautiful crescent shining there with the giant planet Jupiter.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/jupitermoon-april102024-skychart.png?w=1920\")
<\/figure>\nSky chart showing The crescent Moon above Jupiter and Comet 12P in the western sky following sunset on April 10.<\/div>\nNASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThis is also a good night to have a look for comet 12P\/Pons-Brooks, which has been getting brighter, and is easily observable with binoculars or a small telescope, especially if you can get away from bright city lights. The comet will be just beneath the Moon, and just right of Jupiter, but you\u2019ll have to be quick, as it drops below 10 degrees elevation an hour after sunset and then sets an hour later. So you\u2019ll want a clear view toward the horizon, and be looking for it as twilight ends. If you want to catch this comet, do it soon, because it will be too close to the Sun in the sky to observable after mid-April, and later when it makes its closest approach to Earth, it will be on its way outward from the Sun and growing fainter.<\/p>\n
2024 Total Solar Eclipse<\/h2>\n
There\u2019s a total solar eclipse on the way, and it\u2019s kind of a big deal. We\u2019ve been really fortunate to have two total eclipses visible across a wide swath of the U.S. recently, first in 2017, and now on April 8th, 2024. The next time such an eclipse will cross the States is 21 years from now. If you live in or near the path of totality, or you\u2019re traveling there to experience the eclipse, you\u2019re in for an incredible experience.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/eclipse-map-2024-1920-1.png?w=1920\")
<\/figure>\nThe total solar eclipse will be visible along a narrow track stretching from Texas to Maine on April 8, 2024. A partial eclipse will be visible throughout all 48 contiguous U.S. states. <\/div>\nNASA\u2019s Scientific Visualization Studio<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBut what if you\u2019re not going to be able to experience totality for this eclipse in person? What can you expect, and how can you still enjoy it? Well for starters, NASA has you covered with a live webcast, from multiple locations, as the Moon\u2019s shadow moves across the country. So join us for the total eclipse online, whatever your plans.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re anywhere in the continental U.S. outside of totality, you\u2019ll still experience a partial solar eclipse. The amount of the Sun to be covered by the Moon at maximum eclipse depends on how far you are from the path of totality.<\/p>\n
In observing a partial eclipse, you\u2019ll still need to use specialized eye protection, such as eclipse glasses, a pinhole projector, or a telescope with a solar filter. One of the easiest methods is something most of us have in our kitchen \u2013 a regular colander. These make excellent pinhole cameras that project the eclipse onto the ground. And barring that, the sun dapples that filter through the tree leaves do something very similar. It\u2019s also fun to note the eerie way the sunlight dims during the eclipse, especially in places where the Moon covers 80% or more of the Sun\u2019s disk.<\/p>\n
NASA has a bunch of eclipse resources to help you get ready for this awe-inspiring celestial event. There\u2019s info on safe-viewing, citizen science opportunities, and you\u2019ll even find our \u201ceclipse explorer,\u201d where you can find eclipse details for your specific zip code.<\/p>\n
From wherever you\u2019re observing, solar eclipses are remarkable events. So observe safely, and join our live webcast, because it\u2019s an event you surely don\u2019t want to miss.<\/p>\n
Here are the phases of the Moon for April.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/moonphases-april2024.png?w=1920\")
<\/figure>\nThe phases of the Moon for April 2024<\/div>\nNASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nStay up to date on NASA\u2019s missions exploring the solar system and beyond at science.nasa.gov. I\u2019m Preston Dyches from NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and that\u2019s What\u2019s Up for this month.<\/p>\n
Skywatching Resources<\/strong>\u200b<\/a><\/h2>\n\n- NASA\u2019s Night Sky Network<\/a><\/li>\n
- NASA\u2019s Watch the Skies Blog<\/a><\/li>\n
- Daily Moon Observing Guide<\/a><\/li>\n
- Full Moon Blog<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
About the What\u2019s Up production team<\/h4>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s Up\u201d is NASA\u2019s longest running web video series. It had its first episode in April 2007 with original host Jane Houston Jones. Today, Preston Dyches, Christopher Harris, and Lisa Poje are the science communicators and space enthusiasts who produce this monthly video series at NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Additional astronomy subject matter guidance is provided by JPL\u2019s Bill Dunford, Gary Spiers, Lyle Tavernier, and GSFC\u2019s Molly Wasser.<\/p>\n
Powered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\nGet The Details…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Catch Mars and Saturn rising, and Jupiter hangs out with Comet 12P. Plus NASA has you covered for the total eclipse whether you\u2019re headed to totality or watching from afar. Continue reading
Total Eclipse Time!<\/strong> <\/h4>\nA total solar eclipse sweeps across the U.S. on April 8. U.S. areas outside totality will enjoy a partial eclipse and can join NASA\u2019s live eclipse webcast!<\/p>\n
Highlights<\/h2>\n\n- All month<\/strong> \u2013 Jupiter is a brilliant, steady light low in the western sky following sunset.<\/li>\n
- April 8 <\/strong>\u2013 Total solar eclipse across the U.S., as the Moon\u2019s shadow moves from Texas northward through Maine. Outside the path of totality, the rest of the continental U.S. will experience a partial eclipse. The amount of the Sun covered by the Moon at maximum eclipse depends on your distance from the path of totality.<\/li>\n
- April 8-12 <\/strong>\u2013 Mars and Saturn rise together in the hour or so preceding sunrise. They\u2019re closest on April 10 & 11 \u2013 about half a degree apart, or the width of the full Moon.)<\/li>\n
- April 10 <\/strong>\u2013 Find the slim lunar crescent (only 7% illuminated) hanging above brilliant Jupiter in the west after sunset. Comet 12P is visible with binoculars or a small telescope about 6 degrees below the Moon, just below and to the right of Jupiter.<\/li>\n
- April 23 <\/strong>\u2013 Full moon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\nSky chart showing Mars rising with Saturn during the second week of April. They are closest on April 10 and 11. <\/div>\nNASA\/JPL-Caltch<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nTranscript<\/h2>\n
What\u2019s Up for April? Some easy-to-spot planets, there\u2019s still time to observe comet 12P, and how to enjoy this month\u2019s solar eclipse if you\u2019re not in the path of totality.<\/p>\n
For several days in the first half of April, early risers can watch Mars and Saturn rising together in the morning. Taking a look about half an hour before sunrise, you can find them low in the east, about 10 degrees above the horizon. They\u2019re at their closest on April 10th and 11th, but still really close in the sky the whole second week of April.<\/p>\n
Now, on the evening of April 10th you can find the Moon with Jupiter in the west. Jupiter\u2019s easy to identify as a bright, unflickering light, low in the west following sunset, all month. Being just a couple of days after its \u201cnew moon\u201d phase, the Moon shows only 7% of its illuminated surface on this evening, making for a beautiful crescent shining there with the giant planet Jupiter.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n<\/figure>\nSky chart showing The crescent Moon above Jupiter and Comet 12P in the western sky following sunset on April 10.<\/div>\nNASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThis is also a good night to have a look for comet 12P\/Pons-Brooks, which has been getting brighter, and is easily observable with binoculars or a small telescope, especially if you can get away from bright city lights. The comet will be just beneath the Moon, and just right of Jupiter, but you\u2019ll have to be quick, as it drops below 10 degrees elevation an hour after sunset and then sets an hour later. So you\u2019ll want a clear view toward the horizon, and be looking for it as twilight ends. If you want to catch this comet, do it soon, because it will be too close to the Sun in the sky to observable after mid-April, and later when it makes its closest approach to Earth, it will be on its way outward from the Sun and growing fainter.<\/p>\n
2024 Total Solar Eclipse<\/h2>\n
There\u2019s a total solar eclipse on the way, and it\u2019s kind of a big deal. We\u2019ve been really fortunate to have two total eclipses visible across a wide swath of the U.S. recently, first in 2017, and now on April 8th, 2024. The next time such an eclipse will cross the States is 21 years from now. If you live in or near the path of totality, or you\u2019re traveling there to experience the eclipse, you\u2019re in for an incredible experience.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n<\/figure>\nThe total solar eclipse will be visible along a narrow track stretching from Texas to Maine on April 8, 2024. A partial eclipse will be visible throughout all 48 contiguous U.S. states. <\/div>\nNASA\u2019s Scientific Visualization Studio<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBut what if you\u2019re not going to be able to experience totality for this eclipse in person? What can you expect, and how can you still enjoy it? Well for starters, NASA has you covered with a live webcast, from multiple locations, as the Moon\u2019s shadow moves across the country. So join us for the total eclipse online, whatever your plans.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re anywhere in the continental U.S. outside of totality, you\u2019ll still experience a partial solar eclipse. The amount of the Sun to be covered by the Moon at maximum eclipse depends on how far you are from the path of totality.<\/p>\n
In observing a partial eclipse, you\u2019ll still need to use specialized eye protection, such as eclipse glasses, a pinhole projector, or a telescope with a solar filter. One of the easiest methods is something most of us have in our kitchen \u2013 a regular colander. These make excellent pinhole cameras that project the eclipse onto the ground. And barring that, the sun dapples that filter through the tree leaves do something very similar. It\u2019s also fun to note the eerie way the sunlight dims during the eclipse, especially in places where the Moon covers 80% or more of the Sun\u2019s disk.<\/p>\n
NASA has a bunch of eclipse resources to help you get ready for this awe-inspiring celestial event. There\u2019s info on safe-viewing, citizen science opportunities, and you\u2019ll even find our \u201ceclipse explorer,\u201d where you can find eclipse details for your specific zip code.<\/p>\n
From wherever you\u2019re observing, solar eclipses are remarkable events. So observe safely, and join our live webcast, because it\u2019s an event you surely don\u2019t want to miss.<\/p>\n
Here are the phases of the Moon for April.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n<\/figure>\nThe phases of the Moon for April 2024<\/div>\nNASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nStay up to date on NASA\u2019s missions exploring the solar system and beyond at science.nasa.gov. I\u2019m Preston Dyches from NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and that\u2019s What\u2019s Up for this month.<\/p>\n
Skywatching Resources<\/strong>\u200b<\/a><\/h2>\n\n- NASA\u2019s Night Sky Network<\/a><\/li>\n
- NASA\u2019s Watch the Skies Blog<\/a><\/li>\n
- Daily Moon Observing Guide<\/a><\/li>\n
- Full Moon Blog<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
About the What\u2019s Up production team<\/h4>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s Up\u201d is NASA\u2019s longest running web video series. It had its first episode in April 2007 with original host Jane Houston Jones. Today, Preston Dyches, Christopher Harris, and Lisa Poje are the science communicators and space enthusiasts who produce this monthly video series at NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Additional astronomy subject matter guidance is provided by JPL\u2019s Bill Dunford, Gary Spiers, Lyle Tavernier, and GSFC\u2019s Molly Wasser.<\/p>\n
Powered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\nGet The Details…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Catch Mars and Saturn rising, and Jupiter hangs out with Comet 12P. Plus NASA has you covered for the total eclipse whether you\u2019re headed to totality or watching from afar. Continue reading
- \n
- All month<\/strong> \u2013 Jupiter is a brilliant, steady light low in the western sky following sunset.<\/li>\n
- April 8 <\/strong>\u2013 Total solar eclipse across the U.S., as the Moon\u2019s shadow moves from Texas northward through Maine. Outside the path of totality, the rest of the continental U.S. will experience a partial eclipse. The amount of the Sun covered by the Moon at maximum eclipse depends on your distance from the path of totality.<\/li>\n
- April 8-12 <\/strong>\u2013 Mars and Saturn rise together in the hour or so preceding sunrise. They\u2019re closest on April 10 & 11 \u2013 about half a degree apart, or the width of the full Moon.)<\/li>\n
- April 10 <\/strong>\u2013 Find the slim lunar crescent (only 7% illuminated) hanging above brilliant Jupiter in the west after sunset. Comet 12P is visible with binoculars or a small telescope about 6 degrees below the Moon, just below and to the right of Jupiter.<\/li>\n
- April 23 <\/strong>\u2013 Full moon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n\n\n<\/figure>\n Sky chart showing Mars rising with Saturn during the second week of April. They are closest on April 10 and 11. <\/div>\nNASA\/JPL-Caltch<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nTranscript<\/h2>\n
What\u2019s Up for April? Some easy-to-spot planets, there\u2019s still time to observe comet 12P, and how to enjoy this month\u2019s solar eclipse if you\u2019re not in the path of totality.<\/p>\n
For several days in the first half of April, early risers can watch Mars and Saturn rising together in the morning. Taking a look about half an hour before sunrise, you can find them low in the east, about 10 degrees above the horizon. They\u2019re at their closest on April 10th and 11th, but still really close in the sky the whole second week of April.<\/p>\n
Now, on the evening of April 10th you can find the Moon with Jupiter in the west. Jupiter\u2019s easy to identify as a bright, unflickering light, low in the west following sunset, all month. Being just a couple of days after its \u201cnew moon\u201d phase, the Moon shows only 7% of its illuminated surface on this evening, making for a beautiful crescent shining there with the giant planet Jupiter.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n<\/figure>\n Sky chart showing The crescent Moon above Jupiter and Comet 12P in the western sky following sunset on April 10.<\/div>\nNASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThis is also a good night to have a look for comet 12P\/Pons-Brooks, which has been getting brighter, and is easily observable with binoculars or a small telescope, especially if you can get away from bright city lights. The comet will be just beneath the Moon, and just right of Jupiter, but you\u2019ll have to be quick, as it drops below 10 degrees elevation an hour after sunset and then sets an hour later. So you\u2019ll want a clear view toward the horizon, and be looking for it as twilight ends. If you want to catch this comet, do it soon, because it will be too close to the Sun in the sky to observable after mid-April, and later when it makes its closest approach to Earth, it will be on its way outward from the Sun and growing fainter.<\/p>\n
2024 Total Solar Eclipse<\/h2>\n
There\u2019s a total solar eclipse on the way, and it\u2019s kind of a big deal. We\u2019ve been really fortunate to have two total eclipses visible across a wide swath of the U.S. recently, first in 2017, and now on April 8th, 2024. The next time such an eclipse will cross the States is 21 years from now. If you live in or near the path of totality, or you\u2019re traveling there to experience the eclipse, you\u2019re in for an incredible experience.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n<\/figure>\n The total solar eclipse will be visible along a narrow track stretching from Texas to Maine on April 8, 2024. A partial eclipse will be visible throughout all 48 contiguous U.S. states. <\/div>\nNASA\u2019s Scientific Visualization Studio<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBut what if you\u2019re not going to be able to experience totality for this eclipse in person? What can you expect, and how can you still enjoy it? Well for starters, NASA has you covered with a live webcast, from multiple locations, as the Moon\u2019s shadow moves across the country. So join us for the total eclipse online, whatever your plans.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re anywhere in the continental U.S. outside of totality, you\u2019ll still experience a partial solar eclipse. The amount of the Sun to be covered by the Moon at maximum eclipse depends on how far you are from the path of totality.<\/p>\n
In observing a partial eclipse, you\u2019ll still need to use specialized eye protection, such as eclipse glasses, a pinhole projector, or a telescope with a solar filter. One of the easiest methods is something most of us have in our kitchen \u2013 a regular colander. These make excellent pinhole cameras that project the eclipse onto the ground. And barring that, the sun dapples that filter through the tree leaves do something very similar. It\u2019s also fun to note the eerie way the sunlight dims during the eclipse, especially in places where the Moon covers 80% or more of the Sun\u2019s disk.<\/p>\n
NASA has a bunch of eclipse resources to help you get ready for this awe-inspiring celestial event. There\u2019s info on safe-viewing, citizen science opportunities, and you\u2019ll even find our \u201ceclipse explorer,\u201d where you can find eclipse details for your specific zip code.<\/p>\n
From wherever you\u2019re observing, solar eclipses are remarkable events. So observe safely, and join our live webcast, because it\u2019s an event you surely don\u2019t want to miss.<\/p>\n
Here are the phases of the Moon for April.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n<\/figure>\n The phases of the Moon for April 2024<\/div>\nNASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nStay up to date on NASA\u2019s missions exploring the solar system and beyond at science.nasa.gov. I\u2019m Preston Dyches from NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and that\u2019s What\u2019s Up for this month.<\/p>\n
Skywatching Resources<\/strong>\u200b<\/a><\/h2>\n
- \n
- NASA\u2019s Night Sky Network<\/a><\/li>\n
- NASA\u2019s Watch the Skies Blog<\/a><\/li>\n
- Daily Moon Observing Guide<\/a><\/li>\n
- Full Moon Blog<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
About the What\u2019s Up production team<\/h4>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s Up\u201d is NASA\u2019s longest running web video series. It had its first episode in April 2007 with original host Jane Houston Jones. Today, Preston Dyches, Christopher Harris, and Lisa Poje are the science communicators and space enthusiasts who produce this monthly video series at NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Additional astronomy subject matter guidance is provided by JPL\u2019s Bill Dunford, Gary Spiers, Lyle Tavernier, and GSFC\u2019s Molly Wasser.<\/p>\n
Powered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n
Get The Details…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Catch Mars and Saturn rising, and Jupiter hangs out with Comet 12P. Plus NASA has you covered for the total eclipse whether you\u2019re headed to totality or watching from afar. Continue reading
- NASA\u2019s Watch the Skies Blog<\/a><\/li>\n
- April 8 <\/strong>\u2013 Total solar eclipse across the U.S., as the Moon\u2019s shadow moves from Texas northward through Maine. Outside the path of totality, the rest of the continental U.S. will experience a partial eclipse. The amount of the Sun covered by the Moon at maximum eclipse depends on your distance from the path of totality.<\/li>\n