Home
Weather Dublin
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
    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
Severe weather in southern Europe. Thunderstorms & heavy rain. . Weather Videos. Wednesday 9 September 2026
On the left, dark storm clouds over a coastline. On the right, a weather map shows thunderstorms over the western Mediterranean, with warning symbols for tornadoes, storms and hail.
Weather VideosWednesday 9 September 2026

Thunderstorms & heavy rain

Severe weather in southern Europe
A marked change in the weather. Cold front heading south. . Weather Videos. Monday 7 September 2026
Map of Europe showing a cold front stretching from Scandinavia to Spain. Thunderstorms are shown in southern and central Europe.
Weather VideosMonday 7 September 2026

Cold front heading south

A marked change in the weather
Hottest summer on record for Ireland. Beating 2025's record. . . Thursday 3 September 2026
Temperature map of Ireland showing 29°C in Dublin, 26°C in Cork, 24°C in Belfast, and 23°C in Galway, with a red thermometer icon.
Thursday 3 September 2026

Beating 2025's record

Hottest summer on record for Ireland
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
Historic Storm Éowyn arrives. On this day.... . . Saturday 24 January 2026
Split image showing a person in a yellow jacket struggling against strong winds and heavy rain on a street at night on the left, and an Irish wind forecast map on the right with red and purple shading, gusts up to 75 mph, and a wind warning icon, divided by a curved white line.
Saturday 24 January 2026

On this day...

Historic Storm Éowyn arrives
Long-term trends need a pinch of salt. 40 °C in July?. . . Tuesday 30 June 2026
Temperature radar of 2022 heatwave where the all-time temperature record in the UK was set. Warning symbol overlain.
Tuesday 30 June 2026

40 °C in July?

Long-term trends need a pinch of salt
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

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList