Space

The predawn sky will feature a glowing crescent moon, joined by planets Mercury, Venus and Saturn.

McDonald Observatory astronomers worked with energy companies to dim their lights.

The peak of the shower is expected around April 21 and 22.

The Cedar Park company's robot spent 14 days on the moon, the equivalent of one lunar day. Firefly says it's the longest commercial mission on the moon to date.

The event marks the first time a commercial company has been able to actively operate on the moon and observe a total solar eclipse.

This total lunar eclipse — the first in three years — will feature a "blood worm moon," so named for the reddish hue of its glow and the time of year it's occurring. Austinites can observe totality starting at 1:26 a.m. CT Friday morning.

The spacecraft will spend the next couple weeks helping NASA run science experiments on the lunar surface.

This phenomenon, known as a "planet parade," will feature Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune all present at the same time along a line in the night sky, NASA says.

The Cedar Park company announced this week that it got an $8.2 million grant from the state to expand its spacecraft manufacturing capabilities. It currently has a lunar vehicle on its way to the moon.

Venus, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars will appear to line up and be bright enough to see without a telescope or binoculars — and with them, you can see Uranus and Neptune, too.