Interesting astronomical events from recent years and the years ahead.
Jan 5, 2038
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 Europe, West in Asia, Africa, South/East North America, Much of South America, Pacific, Atlantic.
Jan 20 – 21, 2038
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, Much of Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Arctic.
Jan 21, 2038
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 03:59 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Wolf Moon, as wolves were often heard howling during the deep winter nights of January.
Mar 20, 2038
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 21, 2038
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 02:09 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.
Jun 16 – 17, 2038
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, West in Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Antarctica.
Jun 17, 2038
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 02:30 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 21, 2038
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 2, 2038
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 Europe, West in Asia, Africa, South/East North America, Much of South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean.
Jul 16, 2038
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 Asia, Australia, Much of North America, Much of South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Antarctica.
Jul 16, 2038
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 11:48 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Buck Moon, because bucks grow new antlers covered in soft velvet. 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.
Sep 13, 2038
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 12:24 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Corn Moon, as it coincides with the corn harvest season in many agricultural societies.
Sep 22, 2038
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 11 – 12, 2038
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, North/West North America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Arctic.
Dec 11, 2038
The Moon will be in opposition, with its surface reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight toward Earth. This phase occurs at 17:30 UTC. This Full Moon is called the Cold Moon, as it occurs during the long, cold nights of early winter. 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.
Dec 21, 2038
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.
