The calendar of April 2026 It arrives with an agenda full of astronomical events that promise to capture the attention of scientists and amateurs alike. According to data from the NASA and the American Meteor Society (AMS)the month will be marked by the first full Moon of the season, the strategic visibility of Mercury and the peak of the Lyrids.
From Live La Platawe tell you what the key April dates are and how you can enjoy these natural spectacles from our city.
The notable astronomical events of the month
- April 2: The “Pink Moon” Despite its name—inherited from traditions of the northern hemisphere due to the flowering of the plant Phlox silvestre—, the satellite will not change color, although it can be seen in golden tones as it rises over the horizon. Maximum brightness will occur in the early morning of April 2.
- April 3: Mercury at its peak The smallest planet in the solar system will reach its maximum western elongation. This means that it will be at the greatest angular distance from the Sun, allowing it to be observed before dawn.
- April 6 and 10: The comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) could become visible at a glance in this month. The big question is whether it will survive its April 4 perihelion. If it remains intact, the best chance to see it with the naked eye might be between the April 6 and 10especially in the southern hemisphere. You can follow their trajectory with the app Star Walk 2
- April 17: New Moonthe natural satellite is located between the Earth and the Sun and rises together with the Sun. The side of the Moon that faces the Earth is not illuminated, so it is dark and cannot be observed. When the New Moon aligns precisely with the Sun and Earth, a eclipse solar.
- April 18: Alignment of 4 planets Mercury, Mars, Saturn and Neptune They are grouped very close to each other in the sky before dawnforming a small and compact planetary parade. The best place to observe this alignment is the southern hemispherewhere planets rise higher above the horizon and remain visible longer in a darker sky.
Lyrid star shower
- April 22 — April Lyrids: The main meteor shower of the month peaks on April 22 and can produce up to 18 meteors per hour in ideal conditions. It looks better from the northern hemisphereand in 2026 the Crescent moon illuminated at 34% It shouldn’t bother you too much.
- April 24 — Pi-Puppidas: This is more of a surprise letter: its activity is variable and is best seen from the southern hemisphere. The Moon in First Quarter will be bothersome this year, so keep expectations modest, although if you’re lucky, the rain might still put on a bit of a show.
¿How to observe these events from La Plata?
For people from La Plata who want to follow these events, there are some specific recommendations to take advantage of the geography and local sky:
1. The eastern horizon and the coast To observe the Mercury on April 3it is essential to have a clear view of the eastern horizon (towards the river side). It is recommended to search for it among 45 and 60 minutes before sunrise. If you live in tall buildings with a view of the Río de la Plata or you can get closer to the area of Punta Larayou will have an important visual advantage.
2. Escape light pollution For the Lyrid meteor shower (night from the 21st to the 22nd) and the New moon (April 17), the center of La Plata is not the best ally due to public lighting. For a superior experience, move away to areas like Arana, Sicardi or the limits with Brandsen and Magdalena It will allow you to see the sky in greater depth and distinguish meteors more clearly.
3. The UNLP Planetarium As is usual in these astronomical milestones, the Planetarium of the National University of La Plata It is usually a reference center. It is recommended to keep an eye on their networks for possible guided observation days or dissemination talks that help to better understand the dynamics of the solar system.
4. Basic equipment While the Pink Moon It is perfectly enjoyed at first glance, for Mercurio The use of binoculars is suggested due to its low brightness near the horizon. For shooting stars, you don’t need equipment: just a lounge chair, a coat (April nights in the city are usually cool) and patience.
Given: The observation will always depend on the weather conditions. In case of cloudiness, international organizations such as NASA usually carry out live broadcasts to follow events in real time.
Related note: The next astronomical phenomena visible in the sky of La Plata
Main source: Latest Astronomy News — Sky Watching Calendar
