April will be an interesting month with several events happening that would be outstanding if it wasn’t for the conditions for observing them. Two events will involve comets, so while comets can be among the best sights in astronomy, it is hard to predict how bright they will be. The first comet, C/2026 A1 (MAPS), is a sungrazer that will round the Sun on April 4th very close to its surface. If the Sun’s intense heat and gravity don’t tear the comet apart, it may grow a long striking tail for a few days after April 4.

The second comet, C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS), may become visible to the naked eye, however there is as good of a chance that it will only be visible with binoculars. It should be easiest to see on April 13-15,low in the eastern sky within the Great Square of Pegasus (the Flying Horse) about an hour before sunrise. Unfortunately, the Moon will also be in the sky, which may make it harder to see the comet. After the 15th, it will move eastward and may be visible until early May when it will be in the southernmost part of Taurus (the Bull). It will pass closest to the Sun on April 20 and be closest to Earth on April 27, but it will likely still be lost in the Sun’s glare. You should be able to follow both comets’ paths with the Sky Tonight app.

On April 23, brilliant Venus will pass very close to the planet Uranus. The conjunction of two planets is one of the best sights in astronomy, but the dimness of Uranus will remove some of the luster from this one. Although binoculars will be needed, this will be one of those times when Uranus should be easy to find. It will be only about a finger width held at arm’s length to the left of Venus. The two planets will be in the same binocular field of view, and even better, there will be no prominent stars in the area, so Uranus should be unmistakable.

The last event will be on April 25 when the Moon will move over or occult the bright star Regulus. Occultations are another of the best sights in astronomy, but this one will begin in daylight for all but the eastern parts of the country, so it may be difficult to see without binoculars. In central Iowa, the unlit, east side of the Moon will start to cover Regulus at 7:01 p.m. CDT, before sunset that will be at about 8:00. Regulus will reappear on the bright, west side of the Moon at 8:09 in twilight. The time will vary somewhat in different places since the Moon will be moving in its orbit and it is much closer to the Earth than Regulus.

Observing Highlights

-Apr. 2: Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo (the Maiden) will rise just before the Moon at about 9:00.

-Apr. 4: The tail of comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) may be visible low in the evening twilight for a few days.

-Apr. 13: Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) may be visible in the morning sky through early May.

-Apr. 18: The Moon will be to the right or lower right of brilliant Venus in the evening twilight.

-Apr. 19: The crescent Moon will be above the Pleiades (or Seven Sisters) open star cluster and to the right or lower right of Aldebaran in the constellation Taurus (the Bull). Venus will be below the Pleiades.

-Apr. 22: The Moon will be above very bright Jupiter and below Pollux (on the left) and Castor (on the right), the bright twin stars in Gemini (the Twins).

-Apr. 22-24: Brilliant Venus will pass very close to Uranus. Use binoculars to see Uranus.

-Apr. 25: Celebrate Astronomy Day at the Grout Museum, Waterloo, with special programming from 7-9 p.m. If the sky is clear, binoculars and telescopes will be available at 6:30 to see the Moon move over Regulus. After the occultation, the Moon will be very close to Regulus, the brightest star in Leo (the Lion).

-Apr. 28: Brilliant Venus will pass to the right of Aldebaran, the brightest star in Taurus (the Bull).

-Apr. 29: The Moon will have orbited the Earth during April and will be near Spica for the second time.