Realm of Darkness
An audible read version of this article is available
Published: 25th March 2022
With the start of April, spring is well underway
However, the days are getting longer, which means less darkness for my lords and ladies
April does provide a few opportunities to view some galaxies. As well as other heavenly nighttime objects
Friday, 1st April
New Moon
The 1st of April. Associated with April Fool's Day. But the night of the 1st of April isn't for fools
It occurs on a Friday, hopefully meaning you won't have to get up early the next day. Thus allowing you to see other objects, without the Moon, outshining everything
Sunset occurs around 19:40, with the Moon dropping below the horizon at around 20:00
Saturday, 2nd April
M104 (Sombrero Galaxy) Good Visibilty
Tonight maybe a good opportunity to view M104 (Sombrero Galaxy)
"Sombrero Galaxy" by Kevin M. Gill is marked with CC BY 2.0.
With the New Moon having just occurred, the amount of Moonlight will be low, which may help in your viewing of M104
M104 should be visible from about 11:00 PM (UK) in a southerly direction
It is faint and will require at least a pair of binoculars, or more likely a telescope to view
Finally disappearing at about 3:00 AM
Tuesday, 5th April
M94 (Cats Eye Galaxy) Good Visibility
If you want to view a spiral galaxy, then tonight may be a good opportunity to view Messier 94, also known as the Cats Eye Galaxy
"Cat's Eye Galaxy - M94" by cfaobam is marked with CC BY 2.0.
The Moon will still be in its early waxing phase, and thus won't be outshining M94, too much
You will need a pair of binoculars or a telescope to view
It should start to be visible from about 10:00 PM, and can be seen throughout the night until early dawn
Friday, 15th April
M51 (Whirlpool Galaxy) Good Visibility
Tonight may be a good opportunity to view M51, Whirlpool Galaxy
"M 51 - Whirlpool galaxy" by Christian Gloor is marked with CC BY 2.0.
It should be visible from about 22:30, in an Easterly direction
The nearing of the Full Moon, may make it a little difficult. And a pair of binoculars or a telescope, will be required
Saturday, 16th April
Full Moon
Our adversary the Moon reaches its peak. Becoming a Full Moon on the 16th of April. Some refer to it as a Pink Moon
The Moon will rise in an Easterly direction, at around 19:50 and the Sun setting at around 20:05
However, it gives us a chance to view, and obtain details, for our continuing battle. While it struts around the heavens
Monday, 18th April
M3 Good Visibility
The M3 Globular Cluster is high in the sky, and is a good opportunity to view
"Globular Cluster M3" by astrophotography_andy is marked with CC PDM 1.0.
You should be able to view from around 21:30, and it will be visible, through the night
You won't be able to see without a pair of binoculars or a telescope. The Moon having just left its Full Moon phase, may cause some trouble
M3 can be found in a South-easterly direction
Friday, 22nd April
Lyrid Meteor Shower Peak
The Lyrid Meteor Shower occurs between the 16th and the 25th of April
And reaches its peak on the 22nd
Its ZHR is just 18, so the number of meteors won't be amazing. Meaning about one meteor every three minutes – but that's not how meteor showers occur in real life
Viewing doesn't require any equipment, just a comfortable location. Ideally with low light levels. Then look to the heveans, and wait
To photograph requires a bit of luck. Set the shutter speed to around 30s, and set the repeat. Point to the radiant point. And press the shutter, and hope
The radiant point will be at its highest at around 5:00 AM, just before sunrise, in a South to South-westerly direction. Near the Hercules constellation
The Moons light, may make them more difficult to view. But with a bit of luck. You might be able to view a shooting star
Sunday 24th April
M101 (Pinwheel Galaxy) Good Visibility
Tonight is a good chance to view the M101 (Pinwheel Galaxy)
"M101 with Telephoto Lens" by s58y is marked with CC BY 2.0.
It will become visible late in the evening. And it may be worth waiting until the street lights switch off to view. Plus the Moon will be below the horizon, until the early hours
It will be visible in a Westerly to North-westerly direction
Saturday 30th April
Second New Moon
Let us celebrate the second New Moon occurring in April
This isn't magic on our part. But rather, since the Moon orbits the Earth every 29.5 days
Thus, will occasionally mean, that a New Moon will occur twice in a calendar month
Also referred to as a Black Moon. It does provide an additional Moon free night in April. As well as occurring on a weekend
The Moon will set at around 20:15 and the Sun at around 20:30
Planet Spotting
If you are interested in viewing or photographing a planet this month. Then the list below shows you which ones, are most visible
Mercury
From the middle of April, Mercury is best viewed in the evenings. Visible for a couple of hours after sunset
Venus
Venus is visible in the early mornings, about an hour before sunrise
Mars
Mars should be visible in the early mornings of April, moving to a higher point as the month progresses. About an hour and a half before sunrise
Saturn
Saturn should be visible in the mornings. For about an hour before sunrise
Tag Us
If you manage to take a photo of any of the objects mentioned in this article, or even objects we haven't. Then consider tagging us in any social media posts you make, we enjoy seeing what you have photographed
Associated Podcast / Video
Darkest Hour, Brightest Night also produce a podcast and video. Which gives you an overview of the events due to occur in April 2022
These should be released on the 28th March 2022, and the podcast can be found in the Podcast section. Or on your podcast app
The video can be found in the video section, or via Odysee or Youtube
Following us on social media will keep you up to date on the events mentioned in this article, and other related updates
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Written by: Ben Patmore
Ben Patmore is an amateur astrophotographer
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