* Astronomy

Mercury: at magnitude 0.2, starts the month in the constellation of Aquarius. Mercury is in conjunction with Uranus (separated 1.4°) on the 15th. Mercury is in superior conjunction on the 26th.
()

Venus: is at magnitude -4.3.  The planet is in constellation Capricornus at the start of the month. Venus is in conjunction with Neptune (separated 39.7') on the 12th. 
(On April 1st, RA=21h47m27s  Dec=-12°19.6' (J2000) Distance=0.752AU  Phase k=54%  Diameter=22.2")

Earth: - A Lunar eclipse is on the 15th. An Annular Solar Eclipse is on the 29th.

The Moon:  The First Quarter Moon is at 09:30.6 UT, 7th.  Lunar Apogee (404538.3 km) at 15:49.9 UT, 8th.  The Full Moon is at 08:42.3 UT, 15th April 2014. Last Quarter Moon is at 08:51.7 UT, 22nd. Lunar perigee (369728.9 km) is at 01:19.7 UT, on the 23rd. The New Moon is at 07:14.3 UT, 29th.     

Mars: at magnitude -1.4 starts the month in the constellation Virgo. The planet is best seen from 20:30 - 06:25.  Mars is at Opposition on the 8th. Mars makes its closest approach to the Earth on the 14th April 2014.
(On April 1st, RA=13h23m00s  Dec= -5°52.5' (J2000) Distance=0.634AU  Phase k=99%  Diameter=14.8")

Jupiter: is in the constellation Gemini. At magnitude -2.3, the planet is best seen from 20:00 - 04:10. 

Transit times of the Great Red Spot and Jupiters satellites are posted in separate threads.
(On April 1st, RA= 6h49m25s  Dec=+23°13.6' (J2000) Distance=5.137AU Diameter=38.3")

Saturn: at magnitude 0.3 sits in the constellation Libra. The planet is best seen from 23:35 - 06:25. The planet's rings are tilted 17° towards the Earth this month.
(On April 1st, RA=15h22m26s  Dec=-15°59.7' (J2000) Distance=9.119AU  Diameter=18.1")

Uranus: is in the constellation Pisces. Uranus at magnitude 5.9, has a bluish-green hue and appears 3.6 arcseconds wide. Uranus is in conjunction on the 2nd April 2014.    
(On April 1st, RA= 0h39m45s  Dec= +3°34.1' (J2000) Distance=20.885AU  Diameter=3.4")

Neptune: is at magnitude 7.9 in the constellation Aquarius.  The planet is lost to the evening twilight this month.  
()

Pluto: is in the constellation Sagittarius (mag 14.2). Normally, a finder chart is necessary to help in identifying the 0.13" diameter dwarf planet. Pluto is Stationary on the 15th April 2014. The dwarf planet is best seen from 21:40 - 04:40.  
(On April 1st, RA=18h56m48s  Dec=-20°06.4' (J2000) Distance=32.636AU  Diameter=0.1")

The Sun enters the zodiac sign Taurus at 04:56 UT, 20th April, 2014.