April 2026 contains four primary lunar phases, anchored by the Pink Moon full moon on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 10:12 PM EDT (02:12 UTC on Thursday, April 2, 2026).
The month also features the Lyrid meteor shower peak on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, a new moon on Friday, April 17, 2026, and no lunar eclipse. April follows the historically significant total lunar eclipse of March 3, 2026, and marks a return to standard lunar cycle conditions.
| Phase | Date (Local EDT) | Date (UTC) | Time (EDT) | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Moon – Pink Moon | Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 10:12 PM EDT | 02:12 UTC |
| Last Quarter | Thursday, April 9, 2026 | Thursday, April 9, 2026 | ~9:00 PM EDT | ~01:00 UTC (Apr 10) |
| New Moon | Friday, April 17, 2026 | Friday, April 17, 2026 | ~12:54 AM EDT | ~04:54 UTC |
| First Quarter | Friday, April 24, 2026 | Friday, April 24, 2026 | ~4:00 PM EDT | ~20:00 UTC |
Table of Contents
Moon Phase Calendar for April 2026 – Complete Date-by-Date Reference
April 2026 contains all eight lunar phases across a 30-day month, beginning with the Full Moon on Wednesday, April 1, and ending with a Waxing Gibbous on Thursday, April 30.
| Date | Day | Phase | Illumination (Approx.) | Constellation (Astronomical) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2026 | Wednesday | Full Moon (Pink Moon) | 100% | Virgo |
| April 2, 2026 | Thursday | Waning Gibbous | 99% | Virgo |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | Waning Gibbous | 96% | Virgo |
| April 4, 2026 | Saturday | Waning Gibbous | 91% | Libra |
| April 5, 2026 | Sunday | Waning Gibbous | 84% | Libra |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | Waning Gibbous | 76% | Libra |
| April 7, 2026 | Tuesday | Waning Gibbous | 67% | Scorpius |
| April 8, 2026 | Wednesday | Waning Gibbous | 57% | Ophiuchus |
| April 9, 2026 | Thursday | Last Quarter | 50% | Ophiuchus |
| April 10, 2026 | Friday | Waning Crescent | 41% | Sagittarius |
| April 11, 2026 | Saturday | Waning Crescent | 32% | Sagittarius |
| April 12, 2026 | Sunday | Waning Crescent | 23% | Capricornus |
| April 13, 2026 | Monday | Waning Crescent | 15% | Aquarius |
| April 14, 2026 | Tuesday | Waning Crescent | 9% | Aquarius |
| April 15, 2026 | Wednesday | Waning Crescent | 4% | Pisces |
| April 16, 2026 | Thursday | Waning Crescent | 1% | Pisces |
| April 17, 2026 | Friday | New Moon | 0% | Aries |
| April 18, 2026 | Saturday | Waxing Crescent | 1% | Aries |
| April 19, 2026 | Sunday | Waxing Crescent | 4% | Taurus |
| April 20, 2026 | Monday | Waxing Crescent | 9% | Taurus |
| April 21, 2026 | Tuesday | Waxing Crescent | 16% | Gemini |
| April 22, 2026 | Wednesday | Waxing Crescent | 25% | Gemini |
| April 23, 2026 | Thursday | Waxing Crescent | 34% | Cancer |
| April 24, 2026 | Friday | First Quarter | 50% | Leo |
| April 25, 2026 | Saturday | Waxing Gibbous | 59% | Leo |
| April 26, 2026 | Sunday | Waxing Gibbous | 68% | Virgo |
| April 27, 2026 | Monday | Waxing Gibbous | 77% | Virgo |
| April 28, 2026 | Tuesday | Waxing Gibbous | 85% | Virgo |
| April 29, 2026 | Wednesday | Waxing Gibbous | 91% | Libra |
| April 30, 2026 | Thursday | Waxing Gibbous | 96% | Libra |
Illumination percentages are approximate values based on standard lunar cycle progression. Precise illumination data can be verified using NASA’s Moon Phase and Libration tool or the US Naval Observatory.
Full Moon April 2026 – The Pink Moon
The full moon in April 2026 is on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 10:12 PM EDT. In UTC, this translates to Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 02:12 UTC. Observers in North America experience the full moon on April 1. Observers in the UK, Europe, and Asia experience it on April 2 in their local time.
| Time Zone | Local Date | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| EDT (Eastern US, UTC−4) | Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | 10:12 PM |
| CDT (Central US, UTC−5) | Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | 9:12 PM |
| MDT (Mountain US, UTC−6) | Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | 8:12 PM |
| PDT (Pacific US, UTC−7) | Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | 7:12 PM |
| GMT (UK, UTC+0) | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 02:12 AM |
| CET (Central Europe, UTC+1) | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 03:12 AM |
| IST (India, UTC+5:30) | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 07:42 AM |
| AEST (Australia East, UTC+10) | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 12:12 PM |
What Is the Pink Moon? Is It Actually Pink?
The Pink Moon is not pink in color. The April full moon does not change color to pink at any point during the night. The name derives from the wild ground phlox (Phlox subulata), a pink wildflower that blooms across eastern North America in early spring and was historically one of the first spring flowers to appear.
The name was recorded in Indigenous North American traditions — particularly those of Algonquin-speaking peoples — and later codified in colonial-era almanacs, most prominently the Old Farmer’s Almanac (in publication since 1792). The wildflower typically blooms in March and April across the eastern United States and Canada, aligning with the first or second full moon after the vernal equinox.
The moon on April 1, 2026, appears white to pale gold, as is characteristic of all full moons. Any orange or reddish tint observed near the horizon results from atmospheric scattering of light — the same effect that causes sunsets to appear orange — and is unrelated to the Pink Moon name.
| No. April 1, 2026, the full moon is near average Earth-Moon distance (~393,594 km) | Reality |
|---|---|
| Moon color on April 1, 2026 | White to pale gold |
| Source of “pink” in the name | Wild ground phlox (Phlox subulata), a pink spring wildflower |
| Name authority | Algonquin tradition; Old Farmer’s Almanac |
| Alternative names | Sprouting Grass Moon, Fish Moon, Egg Moon, Paschal Moon |
| Is it a supermoon? | No. April 1, 2026 full moon is near average Earth-Moon distance (~393,594 km) |
| Is it a micromoon? | No |
| Is there an eclipse? | No lunar eclipse in April 2026 |
Why Is April 2026 Not a Supermoon?
The April 1, 2026, full moon occurs at approximately average Earth-Moon distance and does not qualify as a supermoon. A supermoon requires the full moon to occur near lunar perigee, the closest orbital point (approximately 356,000–360,000 km).
The April 2026 full moon is at approximately 393,594 km, which is near the average Earth-Moon distance of 384,400 km — slightly farther than average, making it closer to a standard or slightly sub-average full moon by apparent size.
Moon Phases April 2026 – Astronomy vs. Astrology
The April 2026 full moon falls astronomically in the constellation Virgo but astrologically in the sign of Libra under the Western tropical zodiac. This discrepancy results from axial precession — the slow wobble of Earth’s rotational axis over a 26,000-year cycle — which has shifted the astronomical constellation positions approximately 23–24 degrees from the tropical zodiac sign positions established approximately 2,000 years ago.
| Phase | Date | Astronomical Constellation | Astrological Sign (Tropical Zodiac) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Moon (Pink Moon) | Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | Virgo | Libra |
| Last Quarter | Thursday, April 9, 2026 | Ophiuchus | Sagittarius |
| New Moon | Friday, April 17, 2026 | Aries | Aries |
| First Quarter | Friday, April 24, 2026 | Leo | Aries / Taurus |
The April 17 new moon is one of the few phases this month where the astronomical constellation and the astrological sign align closely, both placing the moon in Aries.
The Pink Moon and Easter 2026 – The Paschal Moon Connection
The April 1, 2026, full moon is also called the Paschal Moon, which is the ecclesiastical full moon used to calculate the date of Easter Sunday. Easter falls on the first Sunday following the first ecclesiastical full moon on or after March 21.
The total lunar eclipse on March 3, 202,6 produced a full moon before March 21, so it does not count for the Easter calculation. The April 1 full moon is the first full moon on or after March 21, making it the Paschal Moon for 2026. The following Sunday is Sunday, April 5, 2026, which is Easter Sunday 2026.
The “ecclesiastical moon” used for Easter calculation is based on a standardized 19-year cycle (the Metonic cycle) rather than the precise astronomical full moon. In 2026, the ecclesiastical and astronomical full moon dates are closely aligned, both pointing to April 1–2.
Similarly, Passover 2026 begins at sundown on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 — the evening of the full moon — following the Jewish calendar’s practice of beginning Passover on the 15th of Nisan, which aligns with the full moon in early spring. The convergence of the Pink Moon, Easter, and Passover within the same short window on April 1–5, 2026, is a consequence of all three traditions’ connections to the spring full moon.
New Moon April 2026 – Friday, April 17, 2026
The new moon in April 2026 occurs on Friday, April 17, 2026, at approximately 04:54 UTC, which is Thursday, April 16, at 12:54 AM EDT for observers in the Eastern United States.
The April 17 new moon falls astronomically and astrologically within Aries, the first sign of the zodiac. In Western astrological tradition, a new moon in Aries is associated with themes of initiation, independence, and new cycles — reflecting Aries’ position as the first zodiac sign beginning at the vernal equinox.
The new moon on April 17 is also the darkest night of the month, producing optimal dark-sky conditions for stargazing, astrophotography, and meteor shower observation. The Lyrid meteor shower peak falls on Wednesday, April 22, just five days after the new moon. This creates a period of minimal lunar interference from April 17 through approximately April 23, making the 2026 Lyrids one of the better-lit viewing years in recent memory for dark-sky observers.
Lyrid Meteor Shower April 2026 – Dates, Peak, and Moon Phase Conditions
The Lyrid meteor shower peaks on the night of Tuesday, April 21, into Wednesday, April 22, 2026, with the highest activity expected around 19:40 UTC on April 22. The Lyrids are active annually from approximately April 16 through April 25.
| Notably, Lyrids frequently produce bright, long-duration fireballs | 2026 Value |
|---|---|
| Peak date | Night of Tuesday, April 21 into Wednesday, April 22, 2026 |
| Peak time (UTC) | Approximately 19:40 UTC on April 22 |
| Best pre-dawn viewing | 2:00 AM – dawn local time on April 22 |
| Parent comet | Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher (discovered 1861) |
| Radiant point | Constellation Lyra, near Vega (5th brightest star) |
| Average peak rate (ZHR) | 10–20 meteors per hour |
| Fireball frequency | Notable; Lyrids frequently produce bright, long-duration fireballs |
| Moon phase at peak | Waxing Crescent (~25% illumination) |
| Moon interference | Notable, Lyrids frequently produce bright, long-duration fireballs |
Why April 2026 Offers Ideal Lyrid Viewing Conditions
The April 17, 2026, new moon creates near-ideal dark sky conditions for the Lyrid peak five days later. By April 22, the moon is a thin Waxing Crescent at approximately 25–34% illumination. It sets in the evening hours, leaving the sky dark from midnight through dawn — the optimal Lyrid viewing window.
This alignment of a new moon just before the Lyrid peak is relatively uncommon. In years with a full moon near the Lyrid peak (such as 2022), bright moonlight suppresses all but the brightest meteors. In 2026, the dark pre-dawn window on April 22 should allow observers to see the full estimated rate of 10–20 meteors per hour, including fainter shooting stars typically washed out in moonlit years.
How to View the Lyrids on April 22, 2026
Lyrid observation requires no equipment beyond a clear, dark sky and patience. The following four steps maximize viewing success:
- Choose a dark location: Move at least 30 kilometers from urban light pollution. Rural parks and dark sky preserves produce the highest meteor counts
- Wait until after midnight local time: The radiant point in Lyra rises in the northeast after sunset but reaches its highest elevation after midnight. Peak rates occur in the pre-dawn hours (2:00 AM to 5:00 AM local time)
- Allow 20 minutes for dark adaptation: The human eye requires approximately 20 minutes to fully adjust to darkness after exposure to bright light. Avoid phone screens and car headlights during this period
- Face east and look up: Although Lyrid meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, tracing their trails back leads toward the radiant near Vega in the constellation Lyra, located in the northeast to overhead sky after midnight
Earth Day and the Lyrids – April 22, 2026
Earth Day and the Lyrid meteor shower peak coincide on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. This alignment creates a cross-audience content opportunity for environmental and astronomy communities. The Lyrid meteors are debris from Comet Thatcher, distributed along the comet’s orbital path around the sun. Earth passes through this debris field each April.
The meteors themselves are composed of dust particles and small rock fragments, typically 1–5 millimeters in diameter. They vaporize completely upon entering Earth’s atmosphere at approximately 49 kilometers per second, creating no impact hazard at ground level.
Moon Phase on Specific Dates in April 2026
The following section identifies the lunar phase for individual dates in April 2026, useful for birthday moon phases, event planning, and astronomy observations.
Moon Phase on April 1, 2026
The moon phase on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, is the Full Moon (Pink Moon) at 100% illumination. This is April Fool’s Day in the US and UK. The full moon peaks at 10:12 PM EDT. The moon rises near sunset and sets near sunrise.
Moon Phase on April 5, 2026
The moon phase on Sunday, April 5, 202,6 is the Waning Gibbous at approximately 84% illumination. This date is Easter Sunday 2026, as calculated from the April 1 Paschal Moon.
Moon Phase on April 10, 2026
The moon phase on Friday, April 10, 2026, is the Waning Crescent at approximately 41% illumination, one day after the last quarter.
Moon Phase on April 15, 2026
The moon phase on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, is the Waning Crescent at approximately 4% illumination, two days before the new moon. The thin crescent is visible in the eastern sky before sunrise.
Moon Phase on April 17, 2026
The moon phase on Friday, April 17, 2026, is the New Moon at 0% illumination. The exact moment is approximately 04:54 UTC. The moon is not visible from Earth’s surface on this date.
Moon Phase on April 20, 2026
The moon phase on Monday, April 20, 2026, is the Waxing Crescent at approximately 9% illumination. This date falls two days after the new moon, producing a thin crescent visible in the western evening sky after sunset.
Moon Phase on April 22, 2026
The moon phase on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, is the Waxing Crescent at approximately 25% illumination. This is the night of the Lyrid meteor shower peak and Earth Day. The crescent moon sets in the early evening, leaving dark skies for optimal meteor viewing.
Moon Phase on April 25, 2026
The moon phase on Saturday, April 25, 2026, is the Waxing Gibbous at approximately 59% illumination, one day after the first quarter.
April 2026 Lunar Calendar – Dark Sky Planning Guide
April 2026 provides two distinct stargazing windows: the post-new-moon dark period from April 17 through April 23, and the pre-full-moon dark period from April 1 onward (following the Waning Gibbous). The new moon on April 17 is the optimal anchor for planning deep-sky observation sessions and the Lyrid meteor shower.
| Date Range | Moon Phase | Sky Darkness | Best Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2026 | Full Moon | Bright all night | Full moon photography; Pink Moon viewing |
| April 2–8, 2026 | Waning Gibbous | Moderately bright | Rise late; pre-midnight window available |
| April 9, 2026 | Last Quarter | Half illuminated | Rising midnight; better post-midnight window |
| April 10–16, 2026 | Waning Crescent | Good to excellent | Pre-dawn deep-sky window improving daily |
| April 17, 2026 | New Moon | Darkest night | Best: deep-sky photography; galaxies; nebulae |
| April 18–22, 2026 | Waxing Crescent | Excellent to good | Lyrids peak April 22; crescent sets early evening |
| April 23, 2026 | Waxing Crescent | Good | Final good Lyrid viewing night |
| April 24, 2026 | First Quarter | Moderate | Moon sets near midnight |
| April 25–30, 2026 | Waxing Gibbous | Increasingly bright | Moon rises before midnight; darkening window shortens |
April 2026 Moon Phases and the Spring Season
April 2026 falls entirely within the Northern Hemisphere spring season, which began at the vernal equinox on Friday, March 20, 2026. The Pink Moon on April 1 is the first full moon to occur fully within the spring season in 2026.
For Southern Hemisphere observers, April 2026 falls in autumn. The full moon names, such as “Pink Moon” and “Sprouting Grass Moon,” derive from Northern Hemisphere spring conditions and do not correspond to the seasonal environment in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, or South America during April.
| Leaf fall, cooling temperatures, harvest season | Season in April 2026 | Seasonal Context of April Full Moon |
|---|---|---|
| Northern | Spring | Wildflower bloom; warming temperatures; spring planting |
| Southern | Autumn | Leaf fall; cooling temperatures; harvest season |
April 2026 Moon Phases – Spiritual and Astrological Meanings
The following section presents spiritual and metaphysical interpretations associated with the April 2026 moon phases, drawn from Western astrological tradition and modern spiritual practice. These are presented as cultural and traditional information.
Pink Moon in Libra – Wednesday, April 1, 2026
In Western astrological tradition, the full moon in Libra is associated with themes of balance, partnership, harmony, and justice. Libra is an Air sign ruled by Venus. The full moon in Libra is considered a lunation that highlights relationship dynamics, decision-making, and the balance between individual needs and the needs of others.
The April 1, 2026, full moon is also the Paschal Moon, which carries significance in Christian, Jewish, and Neopagan traditions as a marker of the spring spiritual season. The proximity of Easter (April 5) and Passover (beginning April 1 at sundown) to this full moon is a direct result of both traditions’ roots in the spring equinox and the lunar calendar.
New Moon in Aries – Friday, April 17, 2026
In Western astrological tradition, a new moon in Aries corresponds to themes of new beginnings, self-determination, and the initiation of new cycles. Aries is a Fire sign ruled by Mars and is the first sign of the zodiac in the Western tropical system, beginning at the vernal equinox. A new moon in Aries is traditionally associated with setting personal goals, launching new projects, and establishing independent action.
The April 17 new moon occurs at 25 degrees of Aries, approaching the final degrees of the sign before the Taurus season begins.
Gardening by Moon Phases – April 2026 Planting Calendar
Biodynamic lunar gardening applies the moon’s phase cycle to timing planting, harvesting, and soil preparation. The practice was codified in Rudolf Steiner’s 1924 agricultural lectures and developed further by Maria Thun’s annually published Biodynamic Calendar. April is a high-activity planting month across most Northern Hemisphere USDA growing zones.
| Date Range | Moon Phase | Direction | Recommended Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2026 | Full Moon | Waning begins | Harvest; avoid transplanting |
| April 2–8, 2026 | Waning Gibbous | Waning | Root vegetables; composting; pruning |
| April 9, 2026 | Last Quarter | Waning | Soil rest and preparation |
| April 10–16, 2026 | Waning Crescent | Waning | Weeding, root crops, and pruning perennials |
| April 17, 2026 | New Moon | Waxing begins | Rest; avoid planting |
| April 18–23, 2026 | Waxing Crescent | Waxing | Leafy vegetables; above-ground crops; germination |
| April 24, 2026 | First Quarter | Waxing | Fruiting plants; flowering plants |
| April 25–30, 2026 | Waxing Gibbous | Waxing | Weeding, root crops, and pruning perennials |
Note: Biodynamic lunar planting is a traditional agricultural practice. Controlled scientific research has not consistently demonstrated statistically significant effects of lunar phases on plant growth.
A meta-analysis published in Biological Agriculture & Horticulture (Vogt & Gorissen, 1995) found no significant lunar phase effects under controlled greenhouse conditions. Most practitioners combine lunar timing with conventional growing guidance for their USDA hardiness zone and local frost date calendar.
April 2026 Moon Phases Compared to March and May 2026
April 2026 differs significantly from March 2026 in its absence of a lunar eclipse. The March 3, 2026, total lunar eclipse was the most significant lunar event of the year for the Americas. April returns to a standard lunar cycle with no eclipses.
| Month | Full Moon | New Moon | Eclipse | Notable Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | Thursday, March 19, 2026 | Total Lunar Eclipse (Blood Moon) | Vernal Equinox March 20 |
| April 2026 | Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | Friday, April 17, 2026 | None | Easter April 5; Lyrid peak April 22 |
| May 2026 | Friday, May 1, 2026 | Saturday, May 16, 2026 | None | Blue Moon May 31 |
The next total lunar eclipse after March 3, 2026, occurs on the night of Tuesday, August 11, into Wednesday, August 12, 2026, accompanying a total solar eclipse on the same date. No lunar or solar eclipse falls within April 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moon Phases in April 2026
What are the moon phases in April 2026?
April 2026 contains all four primary phases: Full Moon on Wednesday, April 1, Last Quarter on Thursday, April 9, New Moon on Friday, April 17, and First Quarter on Friday, April 24. All eight phases of the lunar cycle occur within the month.
When is the full moon in April 2026?
The full moon in April 2026 is on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 10:12 PM EDT (Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 02:12 UTC). North American observers experience the full moon on April 1. European and Asian observers experienced it on April 2 local time.
Why is the April full moon called the Pink Moon?
The Pink Moon is named after wild ground phlox (Phlox subulata), a pink wildflower that blooms across eastern North America in early spring. The name originates from Algonquin-speaking Indigenous North American traditions and was widely recorded in colonial almanacs. The moon does not appear pink.
Is the Pink Moon actually pink?
No. The moon appears white to pale gold on April 1, 2026, the same as any full moon. Any orange or reddish tint near the horizon results from atmospheric light scattering, not from the Pink Moon designation. The “pink” in the name refers to the spring wildflowers, not the moon’s color.
Is there a lunar eclipse in April 2026?
No. There is no lunar eclipse in April 2026. The total lunar eclipse occurred on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The next eclipse series in 2026 involves a total solar eclipse and a total lunar eclipse in August 2026.
When is the new moon in April 2026?
The new moon in April 2026 is on Friday, April 17, 2026, at approximately 04:54 UTC (Thursday, April 16 at 12:54 AM EDT in the Eastern United States).
Is the April 2026 full moon a supermoon?
No. The Pink Moon on April 1, 2026, occurs at approximately 393,594 km from Earth, near average distance. It is not classified as a supermoon (which requires a full moon near lunar perigee at approximately 356,000–360,000 km).
When is the Lyrid meteor shower peak in April 2026?
The Lyrid meteor shower peaks on the night of Tuesday, April 21, into Wednesday, April 22, 2026, with best viewing from 2:00 AM to dawn local time. The radiant is in the constellation Lyra. Expected peak rate is 10–20 meteors per hour, with a thin crescent moon (approximately 25% illumination) setting early and leaving dark skies for the prime viewing window.
What moon phase is April 15, 2026?
The moon phase on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, is the Waning Crescent at approximately 4% illumination, two days before the new moon.
What moon phase is April 22, 2026?
The moon phase on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, is the Waxing Crescent at approximately 25% illumination. This is also the Lyrid meteor shower peak and Earth Day. The crescent moon sets in the early evening, providing dark skies for the peak viewing hours after midnight.
What zodiac sign is the April 2026 full moon in?
Under the Western tropical zodiac system, the April 1, 2026, full moon falls in Libra. Astronomically, the moon is positioned in the constellation Virgo on this date.
What is the moon phase on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026?
The moon phase on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, is the Waning Gibbous at approximately 84% illumination, four days after the Paschal Full Moon on April 1.
April 2026 Moon Phases – Quick Reference Summary
| Event | Date | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Moon – Pink Moon | Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | 10:12 PM EDT / 02:12 UTC Apr 2 | Not pink in color; named after wildflowers |
| Easter Sunday | Sunday, April 5, 2026 | — | First Sunday after Paschal Moon (Apr 1) |
| Last Quarter | Thursday, April 9, 2026 | ~9:00 PM EDT | Standard phase |
| New Moon (darkest night) | Friday, April 17, 2026 | ~12:54 AM EDT | Best deep-sky viewing |
| Venus-Pleiades conjunction | Sunday, April 19, 2026 | After sunset (West) | Venus near Seven Sisters star cluster |
| Lyrid meteor shower peak | Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 2:00 AM – dawn | ~25% crescent moon; optimal dark-sky conditions |
| Earth Day | Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | — | Coincides with Lyrid peak |
| First Quarter | Friday, April 24, 2026 | ~4:00 PM EDT | Standard phase |
| Lunar eclipse in April | N/A | N/A | No eclipse in April 2026 |
| Next full moon | Friday, May 1, 2026 | Approx. evening EDT | Flower Moon; starts rare Blue Moon month |
Lunar phase times in this article are sourced from NASA’s Moon Phase and Libration database and the US Naval Observatory Astronomical Almanac. Full moon name data references the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Easter date calculation follows the Gregorian ecclesiastical calendar. Lyrid meteor shower data is sourced from the American Meteor Society (AMS). Biodynamic gardening data references Maria Thun’s Biodynamic Calendar methodology. Astronomical constellation positions are based on IAU star chart boundaries.
