April will be a spectacular month for stargazers, as they will have the opportunity to witness overlapping meteor showers, specifically the Lyrids and Eta Aquarids. From April 20 to April 26, both meteor showers will light up the night skies, providing a breathtaking display for astronomy enthusiasts and casual observers alike.
The Lyrids meteor shower kicks off on April 17, reaching its peak on April 22. During this peak period, stargazers can expect to see up to 18 meteors per hour streaking across the sky at an astonishing speed of approximately 100,000 miles per hour. According to Jackie Faherty, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History, some of these shooting stars may create brilliant flashes known as fireballs. The Lyrids consist of tiny fragments of rock and ice left behind by Comet Thatcher, which completes its orbit around the sun every 415 years. These meteors appear to emanate from the constellation Lyra, which is home to Vega, one of the brightest stars visible at night.
“All you have to do is kick back and look up,” says NASA space ambassador Kat Troche. She adds that the waning moon during this period will not significantly interfere with the visibility of the meteor shower, making it an ideal time for viewing.
The second meteor shower, the Eta Aquarids, begins on April 20 and runs until May 21. During the six days when the Lyrids and Eta Aquarids overlap, observers may find it challenging to differentiate between the two showers, as most meteors will be from the Lyrids. However, at its peak, the Eta Aquarids can produce up to 50 meteors per hour, traveling at an incredible speed nearing 150,000 miles per hour. These fast-moving meteors can leave glowing trails that last for several seconds or even minutes, creating a mesmerizing spectacle in the night sky. The Eta Aquarids are remnants of Halley’s Comet and offer a unique opportunity for skywatchers to enjoy another fantastic meteor display.
For those who want to take their stargazing experience to the next level, the Messier marathon is an exciting astronomical challenge. This event encourages participants to locate as many of the 110 celestial objects cataloged by 18th-century French astronomer Charles Messier as possible within a single evening. The marathon, which has been a tradition for roughly 50 years, typically starts just after sunset. It begins with the Orion Nebula, followed by the Pleiades star cluster, the Andromeda Galaxy, and its companion galaxies.
“They call it a marathon because you're locating all of these 110 objects within the span of a few hours,” explains Troche. This challenge is perfect for astronomy enthusiasts who want to push their observational skills to the limit.
April also marks the return of the Amateur Astronomers Association free weekly telescope viewing events. These events occur on the Highline in Chelsea every Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and at Evergreens Cemetery in Brooklyn on Friday nights from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. These gatherings provide an excellent opportunity for both novice and experienced stargazers to learn more about the night sky and observe celestial objects through telescopes.
For those looking to enjoy some easy naked-eye stargazing, New Yorkers can use the moon as a guide. On April 1, the Pleiades star cluster will appear near the moon, creating a beautiful sight. On April 2, Jupiter will be positioned close to the moon, followed by Mars, which will shine like a reddish dot near the moon on April 5. Mars will again align with the moon from April 10 to April 12, creating a stunning formation alongside the golden star Castor and the bright-white star Pollux from the constellation Gemini.
“They're going to form a line and it is going to look really pretty when you compare it to the other line of stars that is not far from Gemini, which are the three stars in Orion's Belt,” Faherty states. This celestial alignment will surely captivate the attention of stargazers throughout the month.
In summary, April offers a unique blend of meteor showers, astronomical events, and opportunities for amateur astronomers to engage with the night sky. With the Lyrids and Eta Aquarids meteor showers, as well as the chance to observe galaxies such as the Andromeda Galaxy, this month promises to be an unforgettable experience for stargazers everywhere.
