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A spectacular year for stargazers is ahead . From the Quadrantid meteor shower in January to the foeman of Jupiter in December , there will be plenty of opportunity to find the universe ’s marvel . highlighting of the twelvemonth include a rarified totalsolar eclipseseen from North America , a moonless Perseid meteor shower and two comets that will shine so promising they may be visible to the defenseless eye , make 2024 a year not to be escape for sky - watchers . While many of these events are seeable with the naked eye , empower now ina skilful beginner telescopecan greatly enhance your experience .
Here are some dates for this year ’s stargazing diary .
Comet ISON seen making a close approach to the sun in 2013. A newly discovered comet, C/2023 A3, will appear far brighter in the sky if it survives the sun’s rays in fall 2024.
1. Quadrantid meteor shower
When : Jan. 3/4 , 2024
The Quadrantids are overshadowed by December ’s Geminids , but they can produce 60 to 200 shooting star per hour and let in hopeful " fireball , " according toNASA . Here’severything you need to know about watching the Quadrantids peak .
2. March equinox
When : March 20 , 2024
Although not a stargazing event per se , Earth ’s axis being tilted neither toward nor away from the Dominicus can often create the ideal geometry for spectacular presentation ofaurorasaround the poles . Since the sun is promise to hitsolar maximumduring 2024 , result in increased solar activity include aurora - trip outbursts , this equinox could see some special shows .
3. Total solar eclipse
When : April 8 , 2024
One of nature ’s most spectacular sights is amount to North America . On April 8 , for up to 4 minutes 28 seconds , a glimpse of the sun ’s corona discharge amid wickedness in the day is usable to anyone who gets into the 115 - knot - wide track of totality through parts of northern Mexico , 15 U.S. province and five Canadian responsibility .
4. Comet Pons-Brooks
When : April 21 , 2024
The do yr may be a good one for promising comet . Thevolcanic comet Pons - Brooks , which orbits the Lord’s Day every 71 years , will be visible using opera glasses during March and April , and on 12 April , it will be faithful to Jupiter . The comet will extend to its vivid on 21 April , so that ’s the date to prioritise .
Related : practiced opera glasses for stargazing 2023 : slur star and galaxy
A meteor from the Quadrantid meteor shower captured over new New Mexico in the early hours of Jan 3, 2013.
5. Eta Aquariid meteor shower
When : May 6 , 2024
One of two meteoroid showers have by dust and debris left in the innersolar systembyHalley ’s comet , the Eta Aquariids will in 2024 come about under moonless night skies , ascertain enough darkness to see its 10 to 20 " dart star " per minute .
6. Perseid meteor shower
When : Aug. 12/13 , 2024
Often producing bright meteors well seeable to the naked eye , the Perseids meteor shower is one of the most notable of the year . The moon will be absent from the sky , so expect a good show — and big views of theMilky Wayif you stay up until the sky get their darkest around midnight .
7. Saturn at opposition
When : Sept. 8 , 2024
In early September , Saturn will be at its brightest and skilful as Earth passes between it andthe Sunday . This will be the good time to see Saturn , though you ’ll demand a small telescope to see its rings .
8. Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS
When : Oct. 13 , 2024
Although it ’s expected to be visible in the sky before break of day in late September , the good fourth dimension to see Comet Tsuchinshan - ATLAS — only discovered in January 2023- – is Oct. 13 , as that ’s when it ’s potential to be its brightest .
9. Hunter’s Supermoon
When : Oct. 17 , 2024
A topnotch - size moonlight will decorate the sky on this date as the closest full moon to Earth rise up . It ’s one of three supermoons of the year ; the others will arise on Sept. 18 and Nov. 15 , but this one will be the large . Expect eminent tides in the supermoon ’s Wake Island .
10. Jupiter at opposition
When : Dec. 7 , 2024
A single bright meteor shoots across the sky
A meteor streaks across the sky during the Perseid meteor shower.
