Home
Weather London
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    April astronomy outlook: Total solar eclipse and the devil comet

11:00
1 April 2024

April astronomy outlook
Total solar eclipse and the devil comet

Star gazing

April's most exciting astronomical event, a total solar eclipse, will not be visible for those in the UK or Ireland, but there is still plenty to look forward to.

DateEvent
April 8thNew moon
April 8thTotal solar eclipse
April 14th - 30thLyrid meteor shower
April 23rdPink Moon
OngoingComet 12P/Pons-Brooks aka the devil comet

On April 8th, we see a New moon. Meanwhile, in parts of Mexico, the U.S., and Canada, a total solar eclipse is set to form. It is a chance not to be missed, with the next total solar eclipse not set to appear until 2045.

While the event itself is not visible here, there will be plenty of livestreams available to see what is happening. Including one of our very own from the Weather & Radar US team.

Once the eclipse is over, we finally get our first real event in the skies of the UK and Ireland. The Lyrid meteor shower is active from April 14th to April 30th. Peaking on the night of the 22nd.

This is the oldest recorded shower still visible today, having first been recorded in 687 BC. It is not the brightest shower but is known for fast meteors with long trails behind.

Unfortunately, the peak of the Lyrids coincides with the rise of the Pink Moon on April 23rd. Meaning that many of the dimmer shooting stars will be obscured by the moonlight.

There is one other event currently happening which shouldn’t be missed… the devil comet, also known as Comet 12P/Pons-Brook.

Named for the “horns” visible as gases burn around the comet, this comet remains visible up to April 21st. Don't miss it! The next time it comes into view isn't for another 71.2 years.

Whichever event you want to see for yourself, let us help. Check the WeatherRadar to find the perfect evening beneath the stars.

Tips: Astrophotography with your phoneread more
Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Record-breaking heatwave in Europe. New records. . . Thursday, 25 June 2026
A map showing extremely high temperatures across Western Europe and a warning symbol. On the right, people cool off at a fountain in front of the Eiffel Tower during the heatwave in Paris.
Thursday, 25 June 2026

New records

Record-breaking heatwave in Europe
Schools closed and more heat disruption. Red warnings now live. . . Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Split image showing a person using a sun umbrella near the Elizabeth Tower in London on the left and a temperature map of England on the right with widespread red heat, temperatures reaching 35°C near London, and a large thermometer icon.
Wednesday, 24 June 2026

Red warnings now live

Schools closed and more heat disruption
Frost instead of a heatwave. Winter in South America. . . Friday, 26 June 2026
Temperature map of South America showing a widespread cold air outbreak across Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and southern Brazil, with a large blue thermometer icon highlighting below-average temperatures and near-freezing conditions in parts of Argentina.
Friday, 26 June 2026

Winter in South America

Frost instead of a heatwave
All weather news
This might also interest you
A frozen start to the weekend. Icy conditions. . . Friday, 13 February 2026
UK temperature map dated 14.02 showing widespread subzero values in blue shading, with readings such as −4 in Glasgow, −3 in Dublin, and −2 in London, alongside a blue thermometer icon.
Friday, 13 February 2026

Icy conditions

A frozen start to the weekend
Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands. Storm and rain. . . Friday, 12 December 2025
Weather graphic showing rain and wind fields over the Canary Islands and a central warning symbol.
Friday, 12 December 2025

Storm and rain

Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands
Storm Chandra makes impact. Severe gales & heavy rain. . . Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Split image showing strong winds over the UK on a forecast map and widespread rain and snow on a weather radar map.
Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Severe gales & heavy rain

Storm Chandra makes impact
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList