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
50 years since historic 1976 heatwave. Three-month hot spell. . . Tuesday 23 June 2026
Black-and-white photograph from the 1976 UK heatwave showing a crowded outdoor swimming area packed with people bathing, wading, and sitting along the water's edge during extreme summer heat.
Tuesday 23 June 2026

Three-month hot spell

50 years since historic 1976 heatwave
New record June temperature in the UK. Likely to be broken again. . . Thursday 25 June 2026
Heat map of southern England on 24.06 showing extreme temperatures across Hampshire, with Gosport highlighted at 36.1°C and nearby Portsmouth around 35°C amid deep red heat zones.
Thursday 25 June 2026

Likely to be broken again

New record June temperature in the UK
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
All weather news
This might also interest you
Bright and warm conditions take hold. Spring-like outlook. . . Thursday 23 April 2026
Split UK map showing warm temperatures up to 21 degrees in orange on the left and clear sunny conditions with temperatures from 12 to 18 degrees on the right, with sun icons across the country.
Thursday 23 April 2026

Spring-like outlook

Bright and warm conditions take hold
Storm Benjamin impacts the UK. Warnings active. . . Wednesday 22 October 2025
Split weather map showing UK wind speeds in orange-red shades up to 40 mph on the left and warning levels in green-yellow on the right, with a central wind warning sign.
Wednesday 22 October 2025

Warnings active

Storm Benjamin impacts the UK
New records for England and Wales. Broken again tomorrow?. . . Thursday 25 June 2026
Temperature map of southwest Britain on 25.06 showing extreme heat across southern Wales and southwest England, with Bute Park in Cardiff highlighted at 34.2°C and Yeovilton at 36.4°C amid widespread deep red heat zones.
Thursday 25 June 2026

Broken again tomorrow?

New records for England and Wales
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