Interesting astronomical events from recent years and the years ahead.
Feb 21 – 22, 2035
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 North/West Europe, Much of Asia, Australia, North/West Africa, North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, Antarctica.
Feb 22, 2035
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 08:53 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Snow Moon, as February typically sees the heaviest snowfall in the Northern Hemisphere. 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.
Mar 9 – 10, 2035
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. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is too far from the Earth to completely cover the Sun, creating a bright ring of light surrounding the Moon at the maximum phase. This solar eclipse will be visible in Much of Australia, South in North America, Pacific, Indian Ocean, Antarctica.
Mar 20, 2035
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 23, 2035
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 22:42 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Worm Moon, because the ground begins to thaw and earthworms emerge, signaling the arrival of spring.
Jun 20, 2035
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 19:37 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. 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.
Jun 21, 2035
The June Solstice is the time when the Sun reaches its farthest position north of the celestial equator and shines almost directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer. The Northern Hemisphere receives the most sunlight of the year, resulting in the longest day and the shortest night there, while the Southern Hemisphere experiences its shortest day.
Aug 18 – 19, 2035
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 partial lunar eclipse occurs when only part of the Moon enters the Earth’s umbral shadow. The covered portion becomes noticeably darker. This lunar eclipse will be visible in Europe, Asia, West in Australia, Africa, North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Antarctica.
Aug 19, 2035
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 01:00 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.
Sep 1 – 2, 2035
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 East in Europe, Asia, West in North America, Pacific, Arctic.
Sep 17, 2035
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 14:23 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Corn Moon, as it coincides with the corn harvest season in many agricultural societies.
Sep 23, 2035
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.
Dec 15, 2035
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 00:33 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Cold Moon, as it occurs during the long, cold nights of early winter. 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.
Dec 22, 2035
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.
