Upcoming Astronomical Events 2024

August :

•  Aug 28: Lunar Occultation of Saturn: The discovery of comet A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) in early 2023 places it 30 days from perihelion, or its closest point to the Sun. It might become visible to the unaided eye, despite comets’ well-known unpredictability.

September:

•  Sep 3: New Moon When there is a new moon in the sky, moonlight does not obstruct your view of the planets and stars. Find out what planets are visible tonight and where by using our Interactive Night Sky Map.
• sep 5: Mercury at Greatest Elongation West Mercury is at its furthest point from the Sun in the early sky, so now would be a good time to attempt and locate it.

• Sep 8: Saturn at OppositionWhen Saturn is in opposition, as seen from Earth, it is aligned opposite the Sun on September 8. With Saturn at its closest point to Earth during this celestial event, skywatchers have the best chance to view and capture images of the gas giant, its recognizable rings, and its intriguing moons using binoculars or telescopes.
• Sep 17/18: Partial Lunar EclipseOn September 17 and 18, there will be a partial lunar eclipse, which will show off an amazing celestial show with the Moon partially hidden by Earth’s shadow. The moon’s surface will gradually darken for observers in some areas, producing an amazing show that accentuates the wonder and majesty of astronomical mechanics.
• Sep 18: Super Harvest Moon : September 18, the Super Harvest Moon, falls on the autumnal equinox, and casts a dazzling glow across the night sky. This celestial event takes place when the moon is full and at its closest point in its orbit to Earth. The moon appears larger and brighter in the sky, providing a breathtaking spectacle for photographers and skywatchers alike.
• Sep 22: September Equinox : The September Equinox, which occurs on September 22nd, signals the coming of spring in the Southern Hemisphere and autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. Day and night are roughly equal in length during this astronomical event, signaling the change of the seasons and providing a celestial reminder of the Earth’s axial tilt and orbital motion.

October:

• Oct 2: Annular Solar Eclipse An annular solar eclipse occurs on October 2nd, when the Moon partially obscures the Sun’s disk, revealing a ring of sunlight around its periphery. This fascinating celestial occurrence creates a magnificent visual spectacle in the daylight sky and gives spectators in some areas a unique chance to see the “ring of fire” eclipse phenomena in all its majestic grandeur.
• Oct 2:  The Micro New Moon, which occurs on October 2nd, is a phase of the Moon when it is positioned between Earth and the Sun and is hence unseen from Earth. This phase, which occurs close to apogee, the orbit’s farthest point from Earth, makes the object appear smaller and dimmer in the sky, providing skywatchers with a modest yet captivating sight.

•  Oct. 8–9: Shower of Draconid Meteors The debris left behind by Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner is the source of the Draconid Meteor Shower, which peaks on October 8–9. This meteor shower, which is well-known for its sporadic bursts of activity, gives viewers the opportunity to see a flurry of meteors racing across the night sky, coming from the constellation Draco, the Dragon.
• Super Hunter’s Moon, On October 17, during the time of the lunar perigee, the Super Hunter’s Moon shines brightly, illuminating the night sky. This celestial event takes place when the moon is full and at its closest point in its orbit to Earth. The moon appears larger and brighter in the sky, providing a breathtaking spectacle for photographers and skywatchers alike.
• Orionid Meteor Shower, October 20–21 The comet debris left behind by Halley’s Comet is the source of the Orionid Meteor Shower, which peaks on October 20–21. This meteor shower, which is well-known for its quick and brilliant meteors, gives viewers the opportunity to see up to 20 meteors per hour shooting across the night sky from the constellation Orion, the Hunter.

November:

• November 1st: New Moon The New Moon occurs on November 1st, when the Moon is in an unseen phase from Earth due to its position between the Earth and the Sun. Due to the lack of moonlight, this phase offers the best circumstances for stargazing and studying faint celestial objects, giving astronomers and skywatchers a clear glimpse of the cosmos.
• November 15: Beaver Moon/Full Moon The start of the beaver trapping season is heralded on November 15th when the Full Beaver Moon illuminates the night sky with its radiant brilliance. Known by several names, including the Frosty Moon or Oak Moon, it marks the arrival of winter and presents a breathtaking spectacle for both skywatchers and photographers.
• Nov. 16: Eastward Mercury Elongation at Maximum On November 16th, as viewed from Earth, Mercury appears at its maximum separation angle from the Sun, having reached its greatest eastward elongation. This astronomical event presents a fantastic chance for spectators to see Mercury, the “Morning Star,” in the eastern sky shortly before sunrise.
• Leonid Meteor Shower, Nov. 17–18 The comet debris left behind by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle is the source of the Leonid Meteor Shower, which peaks on November 17 and 18. This meteor shower, which is well-known for its sporadic meteor storms, gives viewers the opportunity to see a burst of meteors shooting across the night sky from the constellation Leo, the Lion.

Decemeber:

• December 1st: New Moon The New Moon occurs on December 1st, when the Moon is in an obscured position from Earth due to its alignment with the Sun. Due to the lack of moonlight, this phase offers the best circumstances for stargazing and studying faint celestial objects, giving astronomers and skywatchers a clear glimpse of the cosmos.
• December 7: Jupiter is in opposition. Jupiter is in opposition on December 7, which is the day that the gas giant seems to be aligned against the Sun from Earth. With Jupiter at its closest point to Earth during this celestial event, skywatchers will have the best chance to see and capture images of the largest planet in the solar system, as well as its recognizable characteristics and whirling bands of clouds.
• Dec. 14–15: Meteoroids in Virgo With a peak on December 14–15, the Geminid Meteor Shower is caused by the debris left behind by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. This meteor shower, which is well-known for its bright and plentiful meteors, gives viewers the opportunity to see up to 120 meteors per hour racing across the night sky as they originate from the Twins, or Gemini constellation.
• December 15: The Cold Moon On December 15, the Cold Moon shines brightly, illuminating the winter night sky. It is named after the bitterly cold temperatures that descend upon the Northern Hemisphere at this time of year, signifying the arrival of winter’s harshness. Often referred to as the Long Night Moon, it provides a calm and captivating spectacle for sky watchers by illuminating the darkness on the longest evenings of the year.

• December 21: Winter Solstice The December Solstice, a major astronomical event that officially ushers in summer in the Southern Hemisphere and winter in the Northern Hemisphere, falls on December 21st. In the Northern Hemisphere, this day signifies the shortest day and longest night of the year; in the Southern Hemisphere, it represents the longest day and shortest night. It denotes a celestial turning point in the seasons—the tilt of Earth’s axis as it revolves around the Sun.
• Dec. 22–23: Meteor showers Peaking on December 22 and 23, the Ursid Meteor Shower offers a celestial show as Earth passes through Comet 8P/Tuttle’s debris. The Ursids provide skywatchers with the opportunity to see up to 10 meteors per hour shooting from the constellation Ursa Minor, the Little Bear, providing a stunning display against the winter night sky, while not being as frequent as other meteor showers.
• December 25: Mercury’s Westward Greatest Elongation Mercury is best observed on December 25, when it is at its greatest westward elongation from the Sun. Mercury is a beautiful astronomical spectacle that shines brightly in the western sky shortly after sunset, when it appears at its maximum separation angle from the Sun as perceived from Earth.
• December 30: New Moon in Black The year’s last lunar phase, known as the Black New Moon on December 30, is distinguished by a lack of moonlight as the Moon lines up with the Sun to make it invisible from Earth. This celestial event, which represents new beginnings and fresh begins, provides a blank slate for reflection and rejuvenation as the year comes to an end, encouraging reflection and hope for the possibilities of the futur