It's been all about the planets so far in 2025 (unless, of course, you also count the amazing lunar eclipse and solar eclipse we saw in March!)
The period for observing these worlds of our Solar System with the naked eye is slowly passing, Venus and Saturn no longer visible under good conditions.
More stargazing this month
- Make the most of Jupiter in April 2025
- Find out which are the best planets to see in April 2025
But this week, two of the best things to see in the night sky with the naked eye are a close encounter between the Moon and Jupiter, which you may have seen on 2 April, then between the Moon and Mars on 5 April.
Last night, 4 April, the Moon came even closer to Mars, forming a beautiful 'massing' with two of the most famous stars in the night sky.
The Moon, Mars and Jupiter are easy to spot with the naked eye. All you need to do is find the Moon, then see the planets close by.
Jupiter, 2 April 2025
If you looked up in the western sky at 21:00 BST on 2 April, you'll have seen the crescent Moon and, to its left, a bright 'star', which is the planet Jupiter.
On 3 April, the Moon had moved more to the east, so that by 21:00 BST, Jupiter was in the same position as the previous night, but the Moon now above it.
On Friday 4 April, Jupiter, Mars and the Moon were still up high in the night sky, making for a wonderful scene.
Just above and to the left of the Moon, you'll have seen three bright stars close together, almost in a straight line.
The lowest of these 'stars' is the planet Mars, while the other two are Castor and Pollux, the twin stars of the constellation Gemini.
Also on 4 April, the crescent Moon formed a beautiful triangle with Jupiter and the red giant star Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion.
If you had clear skies, this was absolutely stunning. Naked-eye stargazing doesn't get much better than this.
By Saturday 5 April, the Moon is even closer to Mars, and you can find out more about this below.
Jupiter has been a reliable naked-eye object in the night sky throughout 2025 so far, but by the end of April it will be setting in the west shortly after the Sun each evening.
By the time it gets truly dark at the end of April, Jupiter will be low on the western horizon.
That means the coming weeks are our last chance to see the gas giant this observing period.
Mars, 5 April 2025
Night after night, the Moon tracks eastward in the night sky, and on 5 April at 21:00 BST, the Moon will be high in the southwest.
Tonight you'll be able to see Mars very close to the Moon. In fact the Red Planet will be just below it.
Follow Mars and the Moon as they head west: by midnight, they will still be together but be lower in the western sky.
They will then set beneath the northwestern horizon just before dawn on 6 April.
Mars is one of the best planets to see in the night sky throughout April 2025, the last bastion of what has been an amazing 2025 for planet-spotting.
If you observe or photograph Jupiter and Mars close to the Moon, share your experiences and images with us by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com
