Thursday April 28 to Thursday May 5

The New Moon is Sunday, May 1. Four bright planets are visible in a line in the Morning sky. Saturn, Venus and Jupiter. Jupiter is climbing higher in the twilight with Venus sinking to meet it. The beginning of the week sees a planet dance with the crescent Moon coming close to Jupiter (28th) and Venus and Jupiter coming closer, ending with a spectacular close conjunction on May 1. Venus and Neptune have a close conjunction on the 28th (telescope only). On May 2 Mercury is near the thin crescent Moon, low in the evening twilight.

The New Moon is Sunday, May 1. The Moon is at apogee, when it is furthest from the Earth, on May 2. 

 Morning sky on Thursday, April 28 as seen from Adelaide at 5:25 am ACST (90 minutes before sunrise). Saturn, Mars and Venus form a line with Jupiter. The crescent Moon is close to Jupiter.  

Venus and Neptune are at their closest at this time. The inset shows the telescopic view of Venus, and Neptune at this time. 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at the equivalent local time (90 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).

Morning sky on Sunday, May 1 as seen from Adelaide at 5:26 am ACST (90 minutes before sunrise). Saturn, Mars and Venus form a line with Jupiter. Venus and Jupiter are spectacularly close. The inset shows the telescopic image at this time.

 Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at the equivalent local time (90 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).

Whole sky on Saturday April 30, 19:07 ACST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen). Orion can be seen above the western horizon. As Orion sinks Scorpius rises above the Eastern horizon. Between the bright star Canopus and the Southern Cross are a wealth of binocular objects to discover. 

 Elsewhere in Australia will see a similar view at the equivalent time (90 minutes after sunset). 

Mercury is difficult to see low in the twilight glow. On May 2 Mercury is near the thin crescent Moon, low in the twilight, you will need binoculars to see Mercury and a low level horizon like the ocean.

Venus is lowering in the morning twilight and is moving towards Jupiter. Venus forms a line with Mars and Saturn and Jupiter. On the 28th, the crescent Moon is close to the pair of Venus and Jupiter. On the 28th Venus and Neptune are close, visible together in telescope eyepieces. Venus and Jupiter come closer with a spectacular close conjunction on May 1.

Mars is rising higher, forming a line with Saturn, Venus, and Jupiter.

Jupiter climbs higher in the morning twilight below Venus, Saturn and Mars. Over the Week Venus and Jupiter come closer. On the 28th the crescent Moon is close to the pair of Venus and Jupiter. Venus and Jupiter have a spectacular close conjunction on May 1.

Saturn climbs away from Mars, Venus and Jupiter.