This month, a planetary display courtesy of Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter, plus a meteor display, writes Argus astronomer Jonathan Powell.

Firstly though, what a delight it was to see so many people both young and more senior at the ‘Exploring the Universe’ Exhibition in Brynmawr. Hopefully, this will be the first of many community events as local societies such as HOVAS, Abergavenny, Usk, and Monmouth, bring the cosmos within touching distance. More societies always welcome!

Mars is situated over in the west during April and for the first few weeks of the month will be sat to the southeast of the Pleaides star cluster, which was covered in last month’s column.

For early risers, Saturn and Jupiter are both on view, with Jupiter appearing brighter than its neighbour Saturn in the encroaching twilight before sunrise. Even in a small telescope, the last week of April presents a good chance to pick out Jupiter’s inner moons which will appear as small points of light very near to the planet.

The Lyrid meteor shower peaks on the night of Monday April 22nd. Look high in the northeast after midnight.

The Lyrids are associated with debris left by Comet Thatcher. We should get to see around 20 shooting stars per hour.

If you have any photographs or event information relating to astronomy to share with our readers? Email TheNightSky@themoon.co.uk

Moon phases: New Moon April 5th; First Quarter April 12th; Full Moon April 19th; Third Quarter April 26th;

Start of April: Sun rises at 6.48 a.m. Sets at 7.44 p.m. End of April: Sun rises at 5.46 a.m. Sets at 8.33 p.m.

Copies of my book Cosmic Debris and Rare Astronomical Sights and Sounds, are available at www.springer.com