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This week's sky is all about bright, beautiful targets, from a dazzling evening planet to a glowing full moon that will light up the start of May.
Look out for bright, brilliant Venus shining low in the western sky after sunset, while Jupiter puts on a subtle but fascinating show as it briefly hides one of its largest moons. As the week draws to a close, the sky delivers a seasonal highlight, the full Flower Moon rising at sunset on May 1.
Elsewhere in this issue, we're looking ahead to the 2026 total solar eclipse with a guide to 15 expert-picked viewing spots across Spain, Iceland and Greenland, alongside a striking astrophotography feature revealing the moon as you've rarely seen it. We're also exploring four fascinating 'firsts' you can spot in the night sky.
Let's take a look at what to watch for the week ahead.
Daisy Dobrijevic
Skywatching Editor, Space.com
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| (Starry Night) |
Brilliant Venus dominates the evening sky after sunset, shining low in the west. A telescope will reveal its gibbous phase, while the nearby Pleiades may still peak through the moonlight.
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| (Starry Night) |
With the moon over 90% illuminates, it's a great time to explore lunar features along the terminator, where shadows bring craters and mountain ranges into sharp relief.
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| (Starry Night) |
Watch Jupiter briefly hide its icy moon Europa. The occultation begins at 8:48 p.m. EDT with Europa reappearing at 11:43 p.m. EDT, making for a rewarding sight for telescope users.
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| (Starry Night) |
The nearly full moon passes close to Spica in the early morning sky, offering a simple but striking pairing.
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| (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images) |
The Flower Moon reaches peak illumination at 1:23 p.m. EDT (1723 GMT). The best time to enjoy it is at sunset when it rises in the southeast.
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This week's Flower Moon marks one of the photogenic full moons of the year. While its brightness will wash out fainter stars, it's perfect for capturing dramatic moonrise shots.
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From the first photographer star to the discovery of alien worlds, these night sky targets mark some of astronomy's greatest firsts.
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From Arctic fjords and volcanic craters to medieval castles and coastal cliffs, here's where to get a clear line of sight to the total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026.
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"That moment of completion was incredibly rewarding, as I felt like I had finally represented the first quarter moon as it might appear in person."
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| Astronomy Kit and Accessories |
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