April is full of fantastic opportunities for night sky photography. The Milky Way core begins peeking out earlier and this year we’re catching a meteor shower with no moonlight to interfere. Whether you’re an experienced astrophotographer or someone itching to try shooting stars for the first time, April’s sky is stacked with chances.

Here's what’s happening, how to shoot it, and why this month might be one of your best chances to level up your night sky game.

April’s Headliner: The Lyrid Meteor Shower

Peak Night: April 22–23
Active Window: April 15–29
Best Time to Shoot: 11 PM – 5 AM
Expected Rate: 10–20 meteors per hour
Moonlight: None. Dark skies = big win.

The Lyrids are known for their fast streaks and occasional fireballs. While they don’t produce the sheer volume of August’s Perseids, this year’s moonless skies mean any clear night is a chance to catch something special.

How to Shoot the Lyrids

Gear

DSLR or Mirrorless camera (manual mode capable)
Fast wide-angle lens (14mm-24mm, f/2.8 or faster preferred)
Sturdy tripod
Intervalometer
Spare batteries & memory cards

Settings

Mode Manual (M)
ISO: 6,400
Aperture: f/2.8 or wider
Shutter: 10-20 seconds (avoid star trailing)
Focus: Manual
White Balance: 3500–4000K
File Type: RAW

Location

Choose a dark sky site facing east with minimal city light pollution and a wide open view of the sky. The meteors will come from the direction of the constellations Lyra & Hercules, but meteors can appear anywhere in the sky. Check apps like Clear Outside or Stellarium to monitor conditions.

Use Continuous Shooting

Set your intervalometer to shoot one exposure every 1-2 seconds for at least 1-2 hours. This maximizes your chance of catching meteors.

Include Foreground

Either include a silhouetted element or shoot a foreground separately and blend in later. Don't just photograph meteors in the sky, tell a story to help share your experience.

Stack for Impact

Stack 25 images in Starry Landscape Stacker (or Sequator) and combine multiple meteor frames in that clean starfield using software like StarStaX or Photoshop.

Stay Comfortable

Dress warmly, bring snacks, and let your camera run...patience pays off! Lay back, let your eyes adjust and you will start to see meteors. Enjoy the show, it'll last until dawn!

What else is going on in the night sky this month?

"Celestial smile" in the dawn sky - (April 25 ~5:30 a.m. local)
Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN) - (April 30 - May 2)

Want These Updates Every Month?

This is the kind of sky forecasting we send out every month in our Night Sky Watch newsletter. Complete with settings, location tips, gear recs, and reminders, it’s built for photographers who want to stop scrolling and start shooting.

Subscribe here to get it delivered first.

Share Your Shots with the Guild

Join the Image Guild Discord to swap shots, get feedback, and talk gear and settings with photographers across the country. We’d love to feature your Lyrid or Milky Way photos in next month’s Sky Watch.

Join the Community →

Coming Up in May…

Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower

What to Shoot in the Night Sky This April: Lyrids, Planet Alignments & Milky Way Magic