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1
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Do you use this diary and find…
Do you use this diary and find it useful? Is there anything that can be improved? Have you spotted a mistake or have something you think needs adding? If so, please let me know. Thank you. Dave@star-gazing.co.uk
1 Apr 2026
To set up the calendar up on your mobile device, and carry it around with you, go to the TeamUp Web Site and download and install the app.
**https://www.teamup.com/**
Then use this URL to add the Diary:
https://teamup.com/ks5286ge5j8tq9jcn7
I will keep it as up-to-date as possible, adding new events as I hear about them.
Any mistakes are my own, but please let me know if you spot any so I can correct them.
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Launch of Artemis II.
Launch of Artemis II.
1 Apr 2026 9:24 pm - 10:24 pm
Launch of Artemis II tonight. Time shown is UT, so add 1 hour for BST.
**For live progress on Artemis II check out the Live Launch Timetable:**
**https://x37b.nl/artemis**
This crewed mission will go beyond the Moon and return over the next 10 days.
We may be able to spot or image it from the UK, so I have put together details of that here:
https://www.star-gazing.co.uk/WebPage/tracking-artemis-ii-20260331
!https://files.teamup.com/10295696/attachment/01KN4N0EJFY85EX971A3TWZWEG/preview/image.png?hash=7bd04ef9421fdbc33cc99a8479e1e993f4e0818ccf64021437495c7b68657898
Space Weather has put together a guide on how to do this using NASA’s Horizon tracking page, which can be viewed here:
https://spaceweather.com/images2026/28mar26/horizons.html
NASA’s Horizon Page is here:
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons/app.html
It could also be worthwhile to check Project Pluto’s website to see if they have info once Artemis II launches:
https://projectpluto.com/sat\_eph.htm?: https://projectpluto.com/sat_eph.htm?
This has proved very accurate for tracking the Webb Space Telescope.
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2
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Full Moon.
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The Moon passes south of the b…
The Moon passes south of the bright star Spica in Virgo.
2 Apr 2026
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3
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Anniversary of Luna 10 arrivin…
Anniversary of Luna 10 arriving in Lunar orbit in 1966.
3 Apr 2026
!https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/thumbnail/spacecraft/luna10.gif
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Mercury reaches greatest weste…
Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 28 degrees. Visible in the eastern morning sky.
3 Apr 2026
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4
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Comet 2026 A1 reaches periheli…
Comet 2026 A1 reaches perihelion. It could be extremely bright, but it stays very close to the Sun, so it will be difficult to observe from the Northern Hemisphere.
4 Apr 2026
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5
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6
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7
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The Moon passes south of the b…
The Moon passes south of the bright star Antares in Scorpius.
7 Apr 2026
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8
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9
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10
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Anniversary of Black Hole imag…
Anniversary of Black Hole image by Event Horizon Telescope in 2019
10 Apr 2026
!https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/blackhole.png?itok=THJrwcHP
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Anniversary of Luna 14 reachin…
Anniversary of Luna 14 reaching Lunar orbit in 1968.
10 Apr 2026
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Last Quarter Moon.
Last Quarter Moon.
10 Apr 2026
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11
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12
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Anniversary of Shuttle Columbi…
Anniversary of Shuttle Columbia's orbital flight in 1981
12 Apr 2026
!https://scitechdaily.com/images/Astronauts-John-Young-and-Robert-Crippen.jpg
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Anniversary of Uri Gagarin…
Anniversary of Uri Gagarin's Flight in Vostok 1 - 1961
12 Apr 2026
!https://www.nasa.gov/images/content/146084main_yurig_516.jpg
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International Day of Human Spa…
International Day of Human Spaceflight. Yuri's Night
12 Apr 2026
The **International Day of Human Space Flight** is the annual_celebration: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_minor_secular_observances#April "List of minor secular observances", held on 12 April, of the anniversary of the first human space flight by Yuri_Gagarin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuri_Gagarin "Yuri Gagarin" (USSR: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union "Soviet Union"). It was proclaimed at the 65th session of the United_Nations_General_Assembly: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_General_Assembly "United Nations General Assembly" on 7 April 2011, a few days before the 50th anniversary of the flight.
Also commemorated on this date is the first Space_Shuttle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle "Space Shuttle" launch, STS-1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-1 "STS-1" of *Columbia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Columbia "Space Shuttle Columbia"* on 12 April 1981, exactly 20 years after the first human spaceflight.
## https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International\_Day\_of\_Human\_Space\_Flight: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Day_of_Human_Space_Flight
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14
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15
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16
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The April Lyrid meteor shower …
The April Lyrid meteor shower is active.
16 Apr 2026 - 25 Apr 2026
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The Moon passes north of Mars,…
The Moon passes north of Mars, but difficult to observe low down in the early morning eastern sky.
16 Apr 2026
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17
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The April Lyrid meteor shower …
The April Lyrid meteor shower is active.
16 Apr 2026 - 25 Apr 2026
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New Moon.
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18
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The April Lyrid meteor shower …
The April Lyrid meteor shower is active.
16 Apr 2026 - 25 Apr 2026
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The Moon passes north of Venus…
The Moon passes north of Venus.
18 Apr 2026
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19
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The April Lyrid meteor shower …
The April Lyrid meteor shower is active.
16 Apr 2026 - 25 Apr 2026
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Anniversary of Ingenuity helic…
Anniversary of Ingenuity helicopter's first successful test flight in the atmosphere of Mars in 2021.
19 Apr 2026
!https://scontent.fltn3-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/s720x720/175578669_10159458874226639_4112638997744419771_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=HUy1HWRaEV8AX-F0lLk&_nc_ht=scontent.fltn3-2.fna&tp=7&oh=2ae1f6acf8fc1cdb35e81586ffe1e58e&oe=60A37991
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Mars and Saturn close together…
Mars and Saturn close together.
19 Apr 2026
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The Eta Aquarid meteor shower …
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is active.
19 Apr 2026 - 28 May 2026
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The Moon passes north of Venus…
The Moon passes north of Venus and Messier 45, The Pleiades star cluster in Taurus.
19 Apr 2026
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20
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The April Lyrid meteor shower …
The April Lyrid meteor shower is active.
16 Apr 2026 - 25 Apr 2026
See more details
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The Eta Aquarid meteor shower …
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is active.
19 Apr 2026 - 28 May 2026
See more details
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Anniversary of the successful …
Anniversary of the successful landing of Surveyor 3 on The Moon in 1967. Visited by Apollo 12 in November 1969.
20 Apr 2026
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21
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The April Lyrid meteor shower …
The April Lyrid meteor shower is active.
16 Apr 2026 - 25 Apr 2026
See more details
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The Eta Aquarid meteor shower …
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is active.
19 Apr 2026 - 28 May 2026
See more details
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22
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The April Lyrid meteor shower …
The April Lyrid meteor shower is active.
16 Apr 2026 - 25 Apr 2026
See more details
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The Eta Aquarid meteor shower …
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is active.
19 Apr 2026 - 28 May 2026
See more details
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The Lyrid meteor shower is at …
The Lyrid meteor shower is at maximum.
22 Apr 2026 - 23 Apr 2026
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The Moon passes north of Jupit…
The Moon passes north of Jupiter.
22 Apr 2026
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23
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The April Lyrid meteor shower …
The April Lyrid meteor shower is active.
16 Apr 2026 - 25 Apr 2026
See more details
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The Eta Aquarid meteor shower …
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is active.
19 Apr 2026 - 28 May 2026
See more details
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The Lyrid meteor shower is at …
The Lyrid meteor shower is at maximum.
22 Apr 2026 - 23 Apr 2026
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Venus passes close to Uranus.
Venus passes close to Uranus.
23 Apr 2026
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24
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The April Lyrid meteor shower …
The April Lyrid meteor shower is active.
16 Apr 2026 - 25 Apr 2026
See more details
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The Eta Aquarid meteor shower …
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is active.
19 Apr 2026 - 28 May 2026
See more details
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Anniversary of Cosmonaut Vladi…
Anniversary of Cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov killed in Soyuz 1 Crash in 1967.
24 Apr 2026
!https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/03/17/komarov_funeral_custom-863499cd066f8cd4d7e6060526aa20be4a1a3501.jpg
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First Quarter Moon.
First Quarter Moon.
24 Apr 2026
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Venus passes south of Messier …
Venus passes south of Messier 45, The Pleaides Star Cluster in Taurus.
24 Apr 2026
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Lunar X and V visible on the M…
Lunar X and V visible on the Moon.
24 Apr 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
The Lunar X and V are one of the most talked about lunar Clair-Obscur effects.
**Times shown in UT (-1h BST).**
Timings taken from Mary McIntyre's Clair-Obscure guide, which can be downloaded from here:
**https://marymcintyreastronomy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/Lunar-Clair-Obscur-Times-2026-Mary-McIntyre.pdf**
!https://files.teamup.com/10295696/attachment/01KFZA1XYXZN0RP7SXRK6NSZM9/preview/image.png?hash=feb8075c3576f088a87103ebbc5bdae8730540934df6ca53b3255dba743bca1b: https://marymcintyreastronomy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/Lunar-Clair-Obscur-Times-2026-Mary-McIntyre.pdf
!https://files.teamup.com/10295696/attachment/01KFZA1XYZ4K5NR6V17M0213K8/preview/image.png?hash=7cb98be82bd4b49699300ee55ba61cd08a1e702b6745f5ce3113f1d02ec04d3f
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The face in crater Albategnius…
The face in crater Albategnius is visible on the Moon.
24 Apr 2026 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
The Clair-Obscur effect of the face shadow appearing in the crater Albategnius is visible.
Timings taken from Mary McIntyre's Clair-Obscure guide, which can be downloaded from here:
**https://marymcintyreastronomy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/Lunar-Clair-Obscur-Times-2026-Mary-McIntyre.pdf**
!https://files.teamup.com/10295696/attachment/01KFZHAG2Z4TKCCTXVSVRA0Q0R/preview/image.png?hash=e43b286cf00ea485458765bab8f37af7e129c8d5c148c9c13bccc2961c3aab6e
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25
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The April Lyrid meteor shower …
The April Lyrid meteor shower is active.
16 Apr 2026 - 25 Apr 2026
See more details
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The Eta Aquarid meteor shower …
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is active.
19 Apr 2026 - 28 May 2026
See more details
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Anniversary of the release of …
Anniversary of the release of The Hubble Space Telescope from space shuttle Discovery in 1990.
25 Apr 2026
!https://airandspace.si.edu/sites/default/files/images/callouts/KSC-90PC-1027h.jpg
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The Moon passes north of the b…
The Moon passes north of the bright star Regulus in Leo.
25 Apr 2026 - 26 Apr 2026
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The eyes of Clavius are visibl…
The eyes of Clavius are visible on the Moon.
25 Apr 2026 10:00 pm - 11:00 pm
The Clair-Obscur effect of the "eyes" appearing in the walled plain Clavius is visible.
Time UT (-1hr BST).
Timings taken from Mary McIntyre's Clair-Obscure guide, which can be downloaded from here:
**https://marymcintyreastronomy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/Lunar-Clair-Obscur-Times-2026-Mary-McIntyre.pdf**
!https://files.teamup.com/10295696/attachment/01KFZHRV002NW8ZG3PSFZ25618/preview/image.png?hash=365109694a100ea389f600b42f23c3ba32154206c48075f1776430e49e4c8be7
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26
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The Eta Aquarid meteor shower …
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is active.
19 Apr 2026 - 28 May 2026
See more details
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The Moon passes north of the b…
The Moon passes north of the bright star Regulus in Leo.
25 Apr 2026 - 26 Apr 2026
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27
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The Eta Aquarid meteor shower …
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is active.
19 Apr 2026 - 28 May 2026
See more details
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Cassinis' Moon Maiden is …
Cassinis' Moon Maiden is visible on the Moon.
27 Apr 2026
Part of the prominent lunar bay Sinus Iridum (The Bay of Rainbows, shown north side down towards top-right in the image below) looks like a maiden's head, with long flowing hair.
Timings taken from Mary McIntyre's Clair-Obscur guide, which can be downloaded from here:
**https://marymcintyreastronomy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/Lunar-Clair-Obscur-Times-2026-Mary-McIntyre.pdf**
!https://files.teamup.com/10295696/attachment/01KFZP2ZXG4DSYS01RBQW1WWZK/preview/image.png?hash=528efb43c2507a439be68f279e00aa98ea7ee9a54a941c1008dcca8efe3ed458
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The jewelled handle is visible…
The jewelled handle is visible on the Moon.
27 Apr 2026
The prominent bay Sinus Iridum (The Bay of Rainbows) juts out into the rising Sun on the Moon's surface today, looking like a jewelled handle.
Timings taken from Mary McIntyre's Clair-Obscur guide, which can be downloaded from here:
**https://marymcintyreastronomy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/Lunar-Clair-Obscur-Times-2026-Mary-McIntyre.pdf**
!https://files.teamup.com/10295696/attachment/01KFZJXBZ7NW8BF01JX2QY376P/preview/image.png?hash=8ac42b89ed16e37aef4a08542b966bd4cb01de045d9b020d085bad4f7b74d155
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28
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The Eta Aquarid meteor shower …
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is active.
19 Apr 2026 - 28 May 2026
See more details
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29
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The Eta Aquarid meteor shower …
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is active.
19 Apr 2026 - 28 May 2026
See more details
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The bright lunar swirl Reima G…
The bright lunar swirl Reima Gamma is visible on the Moon.
29 Apr 2026
The bright lunar swirl, Reina Gamma, an area of the lunar crust left brighter by the lunar magnetic field, is visible today within Oceanus Procellarum.
Timings taken from Mary McIntyre's Clair-Obscur guide, which can be downloaded from here:
**https://marymcintyreastronomy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/Lunar-Clair-Obscur-Times-2026-Mary-McIntyre.pdf**
!https://files.teamup.com/10295696/attachment/01KFZPS7M5DYH6K7W3X3WWTQVZ/preview/image.png?hash=522409e36e69bb3d2216f1562b9a6ec585793488e9739951a6cbc208d42a1889
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30
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The Eta Aquarid meteor shower …
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is active.
19 Apr 2026 - 28 May 2026
See more details
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The Moon passes south of the b…
The Moon passes south of the bright star Spica in Virgo.
30 Apr 2026
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