If you enjoy astronomy, you should mark off a lot of events on your calendar for the following year, such as eclipses and full moons as well as meteor showers.
Sky observers will be treated to two lunar eclipses, a total solar eclipse, and twelve meteor showers this year.
According to NASA, debris entering Earth’s atmosphere at a speed of 35 km/s is what causes meteor showers.
Meteor shower 2024 timeline
Jan. 3–4: At its peak, the quadrantid meteor shower produces an average of 25 meteors per hour. The shower is brief, lasting from around midnight to daybreak.
April 21–22: Under dark skies, there is an average of 10 meteors per hour during the Lyrid meteor shower. Though more active in the northern hemisphere, this shower is visible from both the northern and southern hemispheres.
May 4-5: The Southern Hemisphere experiences a greater Eta Aquariid meteor shower due to the meteor’s higher radiant in the sky. In the Northern Hemisphere, the shower is typically visible closer to the horizon.
July 29–30: The Delta Aquariid meteor shower, which occurs on July 29–30, typically produces 10–20 meteors each hour.
August 11–13: At its height, the Perseid meteor shower on August 11–13 produced over 50 meteors.
Oct. 8–9: The season of meteor showers begins with the Draconid meteor shower. Up until late December, a shower takes place every one to two weeks following the Draconids.
October 21–22: Some of the brightest and fastest streaking stars can be seen during the Orionid meteor shower.
Nov. 8–9: There are fewer meteors visible each night during the weaker Taurid meteor shower.
Nov. 17–18: The Leonid meteor shower is known to produce “meteor storms,” which send hundreds of meteors streaking the sky. Normally, there are ten to fifteen shooting starts every hour.
Dec. 13–14: The largest meteor shower of the year, the Geminid meteor shower, can produce up to 75 meteors per hour at its peak.
Dec. 21–22: Because the radiant is too far north of the equator for excellent viewing in the Southern Hemisphere, the Ursid meteor shower is observable in the Northern Hemisphere.
Solar and Lunar Eclipses 2024 timeline
In a solar eclipse, the moon obscures the sun, while in a lunar eclipse, the earth is positioned between the moon and the sun, obstructing the moon’s surface from receiving sunlight.
March 25: When the moon passes in front of the sun, North America will witness a penumbral lunar eclipse.
April 8: When the moon moves between the sun and Earth and obscures the sun’s face, a total solar eclipse will occur in North America. The sky will get darker, like dawn or twilight. From the southwestern to the central and northeastern states of the United States, this eclipse will be visible.
September 17: When the moon passes in front of the sun, North America will witness a penumbral lunar eclipse.
Full Moon 2024 schedule
The next full moon, also known as a wolf moon, will occur on January 25 and set at about 11:54 am.
January 25: Wolf Moon
February 24: Snow Moon
Worm Moon on March 25
April 23: The Pink Moon
Flower Moon is on May 23.
June 21: The Full Moon
August 19: Moon of Sturgeon
September 17: Full Moon
October 17: Full Moon
Nov. 15: Moon in Beaver
December 15: The Cold Moon
Northern Lights in 2024?
Aurora Borealis, another name for the Northern Lights, is a phenomenon caused by solar activity. The Northern Lights are seen in the sky when particles from a coronal mass ejection interact with Earth’s magnetic field upon arrival.
