The night sky’s biggest events this month
Can’t get enough of the sky after the Artemis II mission? Here’s what else you can see this month.
Updated: 1:48 PM EDT Apr 8, 2026
Did you catch the space bug after watching Artemis II soar around the moon? Artemis II is set to splash down Friday near San Diego, but there are plenty of opportunities to see dazzling sights in the sky this month.The Lyrid meteor shower is set to peak April 21 through 22. This shower will spit out up to 18 meteors an hour and can be best seen right before sunrise. The moon will only be a quarter full, so you can get a great view of the fireballs.This shower consists of fast and bright meteors. They will appear to radiate from the constellation Lyra, which looks like a harp. What might be the brightest comet of the year will fly by Earth this month. Comet C/2025 R3 will be visible in the eastern sky from mid-April to late-April. NASA says the comet will come within 44 million miles of Earth.You may be able to glimpse it with the naked eye, but NASA recommends a telescope or binoculars for the best view. The brightness will reach magnitude 8, which is a bit dimmer than the North Star.It can be tricky to spot these sights as they cross the night sky, so remember to be patient. For the best view, find a spot away from city lights and give your eyes some time to adjust to the darkness.If you were hoping to see another Artemis launch, you might need to wait a while. The Artemis III launch is tentatively scheduled for 2027. Follow, like and subscribe to Gulf Coast News on social media to share your tips and be part of the conversation with Southwest Florida’s most experienced, trusted weather team.However you watch or scroll, we’re committed to delivering accurate, timely forecasts you can rely on, wherever you are.Follow on social media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Threads | Bluesky | Nextdoor | XLive Interactive RadarTrack conditions in real time with the Gulf Coast Live Radar.Watch Gulf Coast WeatherFind the latest weather forecast videos, streaming live or on demand, on TV and online.Stream on the GoDownload the free Gulf Coast News app to watch on your phone or tablet.Your Gulf Coast Storm TeamChief Meteorologist Allyson RaeMeteorologist Caroline CastoraMeteorologist Jim DickeyMeteorologist Jason DunningMeteorologist Lauren HopeMeteorologist Raphael TavernierMeteorologist Rob DunsMeteorologist Sara Blue DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest breaking news and weather alerts. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
FORT MYERS, Fla. —
Did you catch the space bug after watching Artemis II soar around the moon? Artemis II is set to splash down Friday near San Diego, but there are plenty of opportunities to see dazzling sights in the sky this month.
The Lyrid meteor shower is set to peak April 21 through 22. This shower will spit out up to 18 meteors an hour and can be best seen right before sunrise. The moon will only be a quarter full, so you can get a great view of the fireballs.
This shower consists of fast and bright meteors. They will appear to radiate from the constellation Lyra, which looks like a harp.
Credit: NASA/JSC/D. Pettit
Lyrid meteor shower captured from the International Space Station.
What might be the brightest comet of the year will fly by Earth this month. Comet C/2025 R3 will be visible in the eastern sky from mid-April to late-April. NASA says the comet will come within 44 million miles of Earth.
You may be able to glimpse it with the naked eye, but NASA recommends a telescope or binoculars for the best view. The brightness will reach magnitude 8, which is a bit dimmer than the North Star.
NASA, ESA and D. Jewitt (UCLA)
Comet 2I/Borisov captured from Hubble on Oct. 12, 2019.
It can be tricky to spot these sights as they cross the night sky, so remember to be patient. For the best view, find a spot away from city lights and give your eyes some time to adjust to the darkness.
If you were hoping to see another Artemis launch, you might need to wait a while. The Artemis III launch is tentatively scheduled for 2027.
Follow, like and subscribe to Gulf Coast News on social media to share your tips and be part of the conversation with Southwest Florida’s most experienced, trusted weather team.
However you watch or scroll, we’re committed to delivering accurate, timely forecasts you can rely on, wherever you are.
Follow on social media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Threads | Bluesky | Nextdoor | X
Live Interactive Radar
Watch Gulf Coast Weather
Stream on the Go
Your Gulf Coast Storm Team
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest breaking news and weather alerts. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.