Interesting astronomical events from recent years and the years ahead.
Jan 3 – 4, 2020
The Quadrantid meteor shower originates from the asteroid 2003 EH1. The shower was first recorded in 1825. The Quadrantids are active from December 28, 2019 – January 12, 2020, peaking on the night of January 3 and the morning of January 4 with up to 80 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. This meteor shower is best observed if you are patient and watch from after midnight until just before dawn, from a dark location far from city lights. The radiant of this meteor shower is in the constellation Boötes, but meteors can appear anywhere in the sky.
Jan 10 – 11, 2020
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is positioned between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth’s shadow to cover the Moon. This phenomenon only happens during the Full Moon phase. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon only passes through the Earth’s penumbral shadow, causing a slight dimming. It is often difficult to notice with the naked eye. This lunar eclipse will be visible in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, Much of North America, East in South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Arctic.
Jan 10, 2020
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 19:21 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Wolf Moon, as wolves were often heard howling during the deep winter nights of January. In addition, this Full Moon will also coincide with a penumbral lunar eclipse, when the Moon enters the Earth’s penumbral shadow. At this time, the Moon only appears dimmer.
Feb 9, 2020
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 07:33 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Snow Moon, as February typically sees the heaviest snowfall in the Northern Hemisphere.
Feb 10, 2020
Mercury reaches its greatest eastern elongation of 18.2 degrees from the Sun. This is a rare chance to see the planet in a dark sky, when it is at its highest point above the western horizon. Look to the west just after sunset and you may spot a small but noticeable bright dot – that is Mercury.
Mar 9, 2020
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 17:47 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Worm Moon, because the ground begins to thaw and earthworms emerge, signaling the arrival of spring. This Full Moon is a supermoon because it occurs when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it appear slightly larger and brighter than usual.
Mar 20, 2020
The March Equinox is the moment when the Sun crosses the celestial equator from south to north. The Sun shines directly on the equator, meaning its light is distributed almost equally between the two hemispheres. As a result, day and night are nearly equal in length all over the world.
Mar 24, 2020
Mercury reaches its greatest western elongation of 27.8 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to see the planet in the early morning sky, when it is at its highest point above the eastern horizon. Get up early and look to the east just before sunrise and you may spot a small bright dot – that is Mercury.
Apr 8, 2020
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 02:35 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Pink Moon, named after pink wildflowers such as phlox that bloom in early spring — not because the Moon itself appears pink. This Full Moon is a supermoon because it occurs when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it appear slightly larger and brighter than usual.
Apr 22 – 23, 2020
The Lyrid meteor shower originates from Comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher). The comet was discovered in 1861. The Lyrids are active from April 14 – 30, 2020, peaking on the night of April 22 and the morning of April 23 with up to 18 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. This meteor shower is best observed if you are patient and watch from after midnight until just before dawn, from a dark location far from city lights. The radiant of this meteor shower is in the constellation Lyra, but meteors can appear anywhere in the sky.
May 5 – 6, 2020
The Eta Aquariid meteor shower originates from Comet Halley. The comet has been observed since ancient times. The Eta Aquariids are active from April 19 – May 28, 2020, peaking on the night of May 5 and the morning of May 6 with up to 50 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. This meteor shower is best observed if you are patient and watch from after midnight until just before dawn, from a dark location far from city lights. The radiant of this meteor shower is in the constellation Aquarius, but meteors can appear anywhere in the sky.
May 7, 2020
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 10:45 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Flower Moon, because flowers are in full bloom across much of the Northern Hemisphere.
Jun 4, 2020
Mercury reaches its greatest eastern elongation of 23.6 degrees from the Sun. This is a rare chance to see the planet in a dark sky, when it is at its highest point above the western horizon. Look to the west just after sunset and you may spot a small but noticeable bright dot – that is Mercury.
Jun 5 – 6, 2020
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is positioned between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth’s shadow to cover the Moon. This phenomenon only happens during the Full Moon phase. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon only passes through the Earth’s penumbral shadow, causing a slight dimming. It is often difficult to notice with the naked eye. This lunar eclipse will be visible in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, South/East South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Antarctica.
Jun 5, 2020
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 19:12 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Strawberry Moon, named for the short strawberry harvest season. In Europe, it is sometimes called the Rose Moon. In addition, this Full Moon will also coincide with a penumbral lunar eclipse, when the Moon enters the Earth’s penumbral shadow. At this time, the Moon only appears dimmer.
Jul 4 – 5, 2020
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is positioned between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth’s shadow to cover the Moon. This phenomenon only happens during the Full Moon phase. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon only passes through the Earth’s penumbral shadow, causing a slight dimming. It is often difficult to notice with the naked eye. This lunar eclipse will be visible in South/West Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Antarctica.
Jul 5, 2020
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 04:44 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Buck Moon, because bucks grow new antlers covered in soft velvet.
Jul 14, 2020
At opposition, Jupiter, the Earth and the Sun are almost aligned. The planet’s surface reflects the most sunlight towards Earth, so Jupiter becomes brighter than at any other time of the year and is visible all night long. This is the best time to observe and photograph Jupiter. Through a telescope, you can see the moons of Jupiter.
Aug 3, 2020
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 15:58 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Sturgeon Moon, named after the large sturgeon fish that were most easily caught during this month in the Great Lakes and other major bodies of water.
Aug 12 – 13, 2020
The Perseid meteor shower originates from Comet Swift-Tuttle. The comet was discovered in 1862. The Perseids are active from July 17 – August 24, 2020, peaking on the night of August 12 and the morning of August 13 with up to 110 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. This meteor shower is best observed if you are patient and watch from after midnight until just before dawn, from a dark location far from city lights. The radiant of this meteor shower is in the constellation Perseus, but meteors can appear anywhere in the sky.
Aug 13, 2020
Venus reaches its greatest western elongation of 45.8 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to observe Venus, when it is at its highest point above the horizon in the morning. Look for a bright, prominent dot in the eastern sky just before sunrise – that is Venus.
Sep 2, 2020
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 05:22 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Corn Moon, as it coincides with the corn harvest season in many agricultural societies.
Sep 11, 2020
At opposition, Neptune, the Earth and the Sun are almost aligned. The planet’s surface reflects the most sunlight towards Earth, so Neptune becomes brighter than at any other time of the year and is visible all night long. This is the best time to observe and photograph Neptune. Because it is so far away, Neptune only appears as a small blue dot through a telescope.
Sep 22, 2020
The September Equinox is the moment when the Sun crosses the celestial equator from north to south. The Sun shines directly on the equator, and sunlight is distributed almost equally between the two hemispheres. As a result, day and night are nearly equal in length all around the world.
Oct 1, 2020
Mercury reaches its greatest eastern elongation of 25.8 degrees from the Sun. This is a rare chance to see the planet in a dark sky, when it is at its highest point above the western horizon. Look to the west just after sunset and you may spot a small but noticeable bright dot – that is Mercury.
Oct 1, 2020
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 21:05 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Hunters Moon, traditionally marking the time to hunt game in preparation for the coming winter. This Full Moon is a micromoon because it occurs when the Moon is at its farthest point from Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it appear slightly smaller and dimmer than usual.
Oct 13, 2020
At opposition, Mars, the Earth and the Sun are almost aligned. The planet’s surface reflects the most sunlight towards Earth, so Mars becomes brighter than at any other time of the year and is visible all night long. This is the best time to observe and photograph Mars. Through a telescope, you can see the dark surface features of Mars.
Nov 10, 2020
Mercury reaches its greatest western elongation of 19.1 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to see the planet in the early morning sky, when it is at its highest point above the eastern horizon. Get up early and look to the east just before sunrise and you may spot a small bright dot – that is Mercury.
Nov 17 – 18, 2020
The Leonid meteor shower originates from Comet Tempel-Tuttle. The comet was discovered in 1865. The Leonids are active from November 6 – 30, 2020, peaking on the night of November 17 and the morning of November 18 with up to 15 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. This meteor shower is best observed if you are patient and watch from after midnight until just before dawn, from a dark location far from city lights. The radiant of this meteor shower is in the constellation Leo, but meteors can appear anywhere in the sky.
Nov 29 – 30, 2020
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is positioned between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth’s shadow to cover the Moon. This phenomenon only happens during the Full Moon phase. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon only passes through the Earth’s penumbral shadow, causing a slight dimming. It is often difficult to notice with the naked eye. This lunar eclipse will be visible in Much of Europe, Much of Asia, Australia, North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic.
Dec 14, 2020
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking part or all of the Sun’s light as seen from Earth. This phenomenon only happens during the New Moon phase and can only be observed from certain areas on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely covers the Sun, revealing the Sun’s outer atmosphere known as the corona. This solar eclipse will be visible in South in Africa, Much of South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Antarctica.
Dec 14 – 15, 2020
The Geminid meteor shower originates from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. The asteroid was discovered in 1983. The Geminids are active from December 4 – 20, 2020, peaking on the night of December 14 and the morning of December 15 with up to 150 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. This meteor shower is best observed if you are patient and watch from after midnight until just before dawn, from a dark location far from city lights. The radiant of this meteor shower is in the constellation Gemini, but meteors can appear anywhere in the sky.
Dec 21, 2020
The December Solstice is the time when the Sun reaches its farthest position south of the celestial equator and shines directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. The Northern Hemisphere receives the least amount of sunlight of the year, resulting in the shortest day and the longest night there, while the Southern Hemisphere experiences its longest day.
Mar 24, 2020
Venus reaches its greatest eastern elongation of 46.1 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to observe Venus, when it is at its highest point above the horizon in the evening. Look for a bright, prominent dot in the western sky just after sunset – that is Venus.
Jul 20, 2020
At opposition, Saturn, the Earth and the Sun are almost aligned. The planet’s surface reflects the most sunlight towards Earth, so Saturn becomes brighter than at any other time of the year and is visible all night long. This is the best time to observe and photograph Saturn. Through a telescope, you can clearly see the beautiful rings of Saturn.
Oct 21 – 22, 2020
The Orionid meteor shower originates from Comet Halley. The comet has been observed since ancient times. The Orionids are active from October 2 – November 7, 2020, peaking on the night of October 21 and the morning of October 22 with up to 20 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. This meteor shower is best observed if you are patient and watch from after midnight until just before dawn, from a dark location far from city lights. The radiant of this meteor shower is in the constellation Orion, but meteors can appear anywhere in the sky.
