GROSSMUGL, AUSTRIA - AUGUST 13: A meteor streaks across the night sky above Leeberg hill during the ... More Perseid meteor shower on August 13, 2024 in Grossmugl, Austria. The Perseids hit their peak in the Northern Hemisphere on August 11-12. (Photo by Heinz-Peter Bader/Getty Images) Getty Images Each Monday, I pick out North America’s celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the northern hemisphere). Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more. The Night Sky This Week: April 21-27, 2025 This week sees the peak of one of the best meteor showers of the season and a spectacular planetary conjunction build before sunrise. Here’s everything you need to know about stargazing and astronomy this week: Tuesday, April 22: Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks Although its peak is relatively broad, and it would be wise to watch on both Monday and Wednesday, the early hours of Tuesday, April 22, should be the best time to catch the Lyrids at their peak. Caused by debris from Comet Thatcher, this annual meteor shower can produce about 20 meteors per hour, with the pre-dawn hours typically the best time to look. However, a 36%-illuminated waning gibbous moon will rise a couple of hours before sunrise, so the post-midnight hours are likely the best this year. Clear and dark skies will be required. Wednesday, April 23 Wednesday, April 23: Venus, Saturn And A Crescent Moon If you can stand another early morning, a 26%-lit waning crescent moon will approach brilliant Venus and the much dimmer Saturn above due east. The moon and planets will be best seen about an hour before sunrise where you are. Thursday, April 24 Thursday, April 24: Venus, Saturn And A Crescent Moon Although Venus and Saturn will be slightly farther apart this morning before sunrise, the panorama will be arguably even more beautiful. As well as being more slender, the now 16%-lit the waning crescent moon will be closer to the planets. The moon will display “Earthshine” — sunlight reflected from Earth’s ice caps and oceans — onto the moon’s dark face. Friday, April 25 MORE FOR YOU WWE WrestleMania 41 Results, Winners And Grades On Night 2 NYT Mini Crossword Hints, Clues And Answers For Monday, April 21 WWE WrestleMania 41 Results: Drew McIntyre Destroys Damian Priest Friday, April 25: Venus, Saturn And A Crescent Moon The sight of the same three planetary objects peaks this morning before sunrise with a waning crescent moon, now a mere 8%-lit waning crescent moon, making a triangle with the two planets. A beautiful sight! Sunday, April 27 Sunday, April 27: Venus At Its Brightest If you’ve been watching Venus all week, then you’ll already have noticed how brilliantly bright it’s shining. Today, it peaks in brightness in its current apparition as the “Morning Star,” reaching -4.7 magnitude in the pre-dawn sky, with Saturn — 240 times dimmer — just beneath it. Constellation of the Week: Ursa Major You know the Big Dipper, right? Those seven stars are one of the most easily found shapes of stars in the northern night sky. However, the Big Dipper is not a constellation. It’s an asterism, a shape of stars that’s part of a much larger constellation called Ursa Major — the Great Bear. The Big Dipper actually forms only the rear part of the bear, although, to my eyes, the larger constellation looks more like an anteater than a bear. The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work. Editorial StandardsForbes Accolades