Mercury can be seen late in April appearing for a short time very low in the eastern sky before sunrise in the constellation Pisces (the Fishes). Mercury reaches its greatest western elongation on April 26th. Mercury looks like a small white star.

Venus cannot be seen as it moves from the constellation Pisces (the Fishes) into Aries (the Ram). Venus will return to the evening sky in May. Venus looks like a very bright white star.

Mars can be seen rising about 3:00 a.m. in the southwestern sky moving through the constellation Capricorn (the Sea Goat) to Aquarius (the Water-Bearer). Mars is brighter than the stars around it and can be found easily. Mars rises a little earlier and grows a little larger throughout April. Mars looks like an orange-colored star.

Saturn can be seen high in the southern sky at sunset in the constellation Gemini (the Twins), located near the waist of Castor. Saturn appears very bright this month and is in a good position to view the rings. Saturn sets in the west after midnight. Saturn looks like a bright amber-colored star.

Jupiter can be seen in the eastern sky rising at sunset in the constellation Virgo (the Maiden) near its bright star Spica. Jupiter reaches opposition on April 3rd, so it rises when the sun sets, and sets when the sun rises. Jupiter passes high through the southern sky throughout the night. Jupiter is very bright and appears very large. Opposition makes Jupiter great for viewing too. Jupiter looks like a yellow-colored star.