That star beside the Moon tonight? That's Jupiter, and later this week it will be Mars's turn

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.

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.

Both 'conjunctions', as they're known, are easy to spot with the naked eye: all you need to do is find the Moon, then see each planet 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 will have moved more to the east, so that, at 21:00 BST, you'll find Jupiter in the same position as the previous night, but the Moon now above it.

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.

And what better way to celebrate Jupiter's visibility in our night sky than this beautiful meeting with the crescent Moon.

Mars, 5 April 2025

Night after night, the Moon tracks eastward in the night sky, meaning that, on 5 April at 21:00 BST, the Moon will be high in the southwest.

You'll be able to see Mars very close to the Moon at the same time. 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