This month there will be some opportunities for using binoculars or a telescope with a low-power eyepiece to view two interesting celestial events involving our Moon - an occultation or near one depending on your viewing location, and a conjunction with Mars.

    During the evening of April 9th the waxing crescent Moon will glide past the stars of the Pleiades open star cluster, occulting (blocking) some of the stars. Best viewing is from the eastern United States and Canada. For viewers in the mid-west United States the Moon and the Pleiades will be visible over the southwest horizon a couple of hours before sunset allowing for time to view some of the event.
This animated image shows the view from the Kansas City Missouri area, and runs for 46 minutes starting at 8:45 p.m. CDT.
The first star occulted is Taygeta, a 4th magnitude double star, followed by the near 6th magnitude Sterope. Just before Moonset the Moon will pass close by 4th magnitude Maia.

    Three nights later the Moon will pass within 1 degree from Mars. From here in Kansas City the Moon will be setting shortly around 0300 CDT on the 12th and will be less then 1 degree from Mars. If you were to follow the two from local sunset time to Moonset you would see the separation between the two decrease from around 3 degrees to less then 1 degree.
This image is set for midnight April 12th.