April 2009 astronomy events

At the start of April, Saturn and Leo are high in the east as the sun goes down. By the end of the month, the ringed planet is almost overhead at sunset in the northern hemisphere because the planet rises sooner and the sun sets later. Mercury is too close to the sun to see at the start of the month, but it's an evening object by the end. It's at greatest elongation on the 26th. Jupiter is a morning riser at the start of the month, along with Mars and Venus. Watch for Mars and Venus paired in the morning sky late in the month. Mars is the sooner riser first. Then it drops below Venus.

The April Lyrid meteor shower is expected to peak around 13h on the 22nd. This would favor western hemisphere observers. There will be little moonlight to interfere with this fast, bright, slowly fading show.

Mercury and Mars go through perihelion this month.

The moon occults Antares on the 13th. People on some Pacific islands, including the Hawaian islands, will see it. The moon covers Venus on the 22nd. For most of the places where it's visible, it will be a daytime event. Yes, Venus can be seen in the daytime, even with the naked eye. A telescope is better. You may see it disappear when the moon covers it up.