Interesting astronomical events from recent years and the years ahead.
Feb 11 – 12, 2036
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 total lunar eclipse occurs when the entire Moon enters the Earth’s umbral shadow. The Moon does not disappear but instead turns a coppery red color due to sunlight being refracted through the Earth’s atmosphere. This lunar eclipse will be visible in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Arctic, Antarctica.
Feb 11, 2036
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 22:08 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Snow Moon, as February typically sees the heaviest snowfall in the Northern Hemisphere. 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. In addition, this Full Moon will also coincide with a total lunar eclipse.
Feb 27, 2036
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 partial solar eclipse occurs when only part of the Sun is obscured by the Moon, while the remaining portion stays bright and cannot be safely observed with the naked eye. This solar eclipse will be visible in South/East Australia, Pacific, Indian Ocean, Antarctica.
Mar 12, 2036
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 09:09 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Worm Moon, because the ground begins to thaw and earthworms emerge, signaling the arrival of spring.
Mar 20, 2036
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.
Jun 8, 2036
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 21:02 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.
Jun 20, 2036
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.
Jul 8, 2036
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 11:19 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Buck Moon, because bucks grow new antlers covered in soft velvet.
Jul 23, 2036
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 partial solar eclipse occurs when only part of the Sun is obscured by the Moon, while the remaining portion stays bright and cannot be safely observed with the naked eye. This solar eclipse will be visible in Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Antarctica.
Aug 6 – 7, 2036
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 total lunar eclipse occurs when the entire Moon enters the Earth’s umbral shadow. The Moon does not disappear but instead turns a coppery red color due to sunlight being refracted through the Earth’s atmosphere. This lunar eclipse will be visible in Europe, Much of Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Antarctica.
Aug 7, 2036
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 02:48 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. 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.
Aug 21, 2036
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 partial solar eclipse occurs when only part of the Sun is obscured by the Moon, while the remaining portion stays bright and cannot be safely observed with the naked eye. This solar eclipse will be visible in Europe, North in Asia, North/West Africa, Much of North America, Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic.
Sep 5, 2036
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 18:45 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Corn Moon, as it coincides with the corn harvest season in many agricultural societies.
Sep 22, 2036
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 3, 2036
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 14:08 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Cold Moon, as it occurs during the long, cold nights of early winter.
Dec 21, 2036
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.
