2023-12-25 02:18:28
In 2024, we will see bright comets, a great planetary parade, a great solar eclipse, prolific meteor showers and more. Let’s discover the astronomical gems of 2024!
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January 3-4: Quadrantid Peak
You should definitely start your new astronomical year with the Quadrantids. With an hourly rate of 60 to 200 meteors at peak, they are considered one of the most prolific meteor showers of the year. The Quadrantids are also known for their bursting balls of fire. In 2024, their peak night coincides with the Last Quarter Moon rising around midnight, so look for “shooting stars” before moonrise. You can also wait for a night with less moonlight — IMO, Quadrantid activity lasts until approximately January 12and bright fireballs were observed even days after the actual peak.
To see how ready you are for meteor viewing, take our quiz. Be careful — only 7% get a perfect score!
Think you’re a weather expert? Dive into our quiz to see if you’re truly starry-eyed or just distracted. ???? ???? Bonus: Grab some pro tips to actually spot these elusive shooting stars!
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April 8: Great American Total Solar Eclipse
One of the most anticipated total solar eclipses will take place on April 8 this year. The Moon will pass in front of the Sun, blocking all direct sunlight, and turning the day into darkness. Only the solar corona will be visible. April’s solar eclipse also has a hidden gem — a bright comet could be visible during this event!
This astonishing spectacle will be visible from many places across the Mexico (including the states of Sinaloa, Durango and Coahuila), the United States (including Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and New York), and Canada (including parts of southern Ontario, parts of southern Quebec). Observers in surrounding areas will have a chance to see the partial eclipse.
This will be the first total solar eclipse visible in Canada since February 26, 1979, the first in Mexico since July 11, 1991, and the first in the United States since August 21, 2017. Don’t miss the next eclipse with our constantly updated infographic updated on 5 upcoming eclipses.
List of 5 upcoming lunar and solar eclipses, their date, timeline and visibility maps. Check if you will see them from where you are!
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April 21: Comet Pons-Brooks at its peak
Short-period comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will be at its brightest around perihelion on April 21. It is expected to reach a magnitude of 4.2, which is in the range of naked eye visibility. But that’s not even the best part!
Comet Pons-Brooks could be visible during the total solar eclipse on April 8! As the sky darkens, the magnitude 5 comet could appear 27º from the Sun, near bright Jupiter. To see the comet, use the free astronomy app Sky Tonight — it will show you where the comet is in the sky for your exact location. Learn all the details about Comet Pons-Brooks in the dedicated article.
May 5: Peak of Éta-Aquarides
In May, observers in the tropics and southern hemisphere can enjoy the strong Eta-Aquarid meteor shower — one of the best for southern observers. During the peak, it provides 40 to 85 meteors per hour. In 2024, the peak of the Eta-Aquarids almost coincides with the New Moon on May 8, so the lunar light will not interfere with observations.
August 12-13: Pic des Perseides
One of the most popular meteor showers in the northern hemisphere are the Perseids. They have colorful meteors which often leave persistent trails and are very prolific — observers can see approximately 100 meteors per hour during their peak. In 2024, the peak of the Perseids is close to the First Quarter Moon, which sets around midnight, leaving the second half of the night free of lunar light. Read our article for the best time to view this meteor shower.
August 14: Very close approach to Mars and Jupiter
The best planetary conjunction of the year will take place between Mars and Jupiter on August 14. The planets will pass just 0°18′ apart, appearing almost as a single star (the usual distance during a conjunction is at least 0°30′). Time and Date list this event as one of 7 notable “close encounters” through 2040.
Look for Mars and Jupiter in the morning, a few hours before sunrise, in the constellation Taurus. They will be very bright and visible to the naked eye. If you want to confirm that these bright spots are really Mars and Jupiter, use the app Sky Tonight. Just launch the app and point your phone at the sky!
August 21: Lunar occultation of Saturn
On August 21, observers Latin America, Africa and Europe will see the nearly full Moon pass in front of Saturn, obscuring the planet. The rest of the world will see a very close approach to the Moon and Saturn. Lunar occultations of Saturn occur several times a year, but they are rarely so impressive ! This occultation will present a 95% illuminated Moon and will be visible from the Brazil, Italy, Norway, France, Switzerland and many other places.
August 28: Great planetary parade
A planetary alignment of six planets — Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn — will take place on the morning of August 28. Most of these planets (except Uranus and Neptune) will be easily visible at the naked eye. So all you have to do to see this event is go outside and look at the night sky! And don’t worry if you miss the exact day — thealignment will be visible for a few days before and after the given date.
To learn how to observe a planetary alignment and what other alignments will take place in 2024, read the special article.
September 8: Best time to see Saturn
On September 8, Saturn will reach an opposition — the weeks around this event will be the best time to observe a planet. Saturn will be at its closest and brightest point of the year, shining with a magnitude of 0.6. The planet will look like a Prominent golden “star” in the night sky. Plus, being on the opposite side of the sky from the Sun, it will be visible all night! If you want to see Saturn’s rings, use a telescope or binoculars, but you can enjoy the planet itself from the naked eye.
October 2: Annular solar eclipse
An annular solar eclipse will also occur in 2024. Observers on Easter Island and parts of southern Chile and Argentina will see a “ring of fire” — the bright ring of sun around the Moon. The partial eclipse will be visible from surrounding areas. The next annular eclipse will not be visible in the same regions until 2027.
By the way, how well do you know the different types of eclipses? Can you see a solar eclipse from the Moon? Test your knowledge about solar and lunar eclipses by answering these and other questions in our quiz!
Can we see solar eclipses from the Moon? When was the first solar eclipse captured on video? Test your knowledge of solar and lunar eclipses with this quiz.
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October 12: Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS at its greatest brightness
In October, we will have the chance to see a exceptionally bright comet — the brightest since 2020. On October 12, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) will make its closest approach to Earth, at which time the comet will reach its maximum brightness and could be visible to the naked eye. Astronomers predict that it will have a magnitude of -0.9 — the brightness of the brightest stars ! Don’t miss this event by setting up a rappel in the app Sky Tonight. Learn more about C/2023 A3 in our guide, which includes the monthly path of the comet across the sky.
October 17: The largest full moon of 2024
The October 17 Supermoon will come closer to Earth than any other full moon this year, so it will appear the biggest and brightest. See it with your own eyes to compare it to other full moons! By the way, did you know that the October Full Moon is known as the Hunter’s Moon? Find out why in this colorful infographic.
When will the next full moon be? When will the super blue moon occur this year? Check out our full moon calendar to see all the dates, times, names, super moons, and more. of the year.
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December 7: Best time to see Jupiter
Another bright planet will be in opposition this year: look for Jupiter, the second brightest planet, around December 7. It will shine with a magnitude of -2.8 and will be in the opposite direction to the Sun in our sky. Jupiter will reach its highest point around midnight local time, but you can see it with the naked eye as the sky darkens.
December 4: The Moon near Venus
Venus will be in full view for most of 2024, and at the end of the year it will delight astronomy enthusiasts with a truly spectacular event. On December 4, the two brightest objects in the night sky — the Moon and Venus — will come closer together. Venus will look like a miniature of the waxing moon through small garden telescopes, but if you don’t have the equipment, don’t worry! The event will be visible to the naked eye. Just go outside in the evening and look at the thin crescent moon and the bright spot of light nearby.
Although the close approach in December will be the most spectacular, it won’t be the only time the Moon encounters Venus this year. Find out more about other events in our dedicated article.
Celestial Events of 2024: Conclusion
In 2024, astronomy enthusiasts will see some truly unique and rare events, such as an extremely bright comet, a very close encounter between Mars and Jupiter, a grand planetary parade and more. Keep exploring the skies, and we’ll do our best to make your trip even more fun! To easily find any object in the sky, use the app Sky Tonightwhich displays all celestial objects for free.
We wish you clear skies and happy sightings!
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