Mercury can be seen the in the northwestern sky after sunset in the constellation Aries (the Ram). Mercury reaches its highest point on April 8th. Mercury will be the best to view for the whole year from April 8th to the 15th. Mercury then begins to appear lower each night. Mercury and Venus appear very close together in early April. Mercury looks like a small white star.

Venus returns to the western sky after sunset in the constellation Aries (the Ram) passing into Taurus (the Bull). Venus moves near the Pleiades star cluster by April 24th. Venus will be higher and brighter every night. Venus is the “Evening Star”. Venus looks like a very bright white star.

Mars can be seen high in the southwestern sky after sunset in the constellation Cancer (the Crab). Mars moves slowly against the background of stars and is only 1º away from the Beehive cluster midmonth. Mars is very bright but slowly getting dimmer as it moves away from Earth. Mars is close to Regulus in Leo (the Lion) by the end of April. Mars sets a few hours before dawn in the northwest. Mars looks like a bright, ruddy-colored star.

Saturn can be seen in the southeastern sky after sunset in the constellation Virgo (the Maiden). Saturn shines brighter than Spica. Saturn is visible all night after reaching opposition last month. Saturn is best to view overhead around midnight, staying visible until dawn. Saturn looks like a bright, amber-colored star.

Jupiter can be seen rising in the eastern sky before dawn in the constellation Aquarius (the Water-Bearer). Jupiter can be seen for almost an hour before sunrise and will be the brightest point in the early morning sky by the end of April. Jupiter looks like a very bright, yellow-colored star.