Astronomy Events of 2024

    There were many significant events of 2023 to remember and many more astronomy events to come in 2024. A few of the most remarkable events of 2023 included a near unaided-eye comet, an annular solar eclipse, and the two most prominent meteor showers, the Perseids and Geminids, peaking under a Moon-free sky.

    

🌠Quadrantid Meteor Shower🌠

    The new year will begin with the Quadrantid Meteor Shower peaking on the evening of January 3rd and the morning of the 4th. This shower can produce up to 200 meteors per hour during an outburst, but an observer should plan on around 80 of the Quadrantid meteors during the peak. The Last Quarter Moon will rise around midnight, so I recommend viewing this shower on the evening of the 3rd. 

    🔭Messier Marathon🔭

    The next highlight of 2024 will occur on March 9th. Beginning at sunset, an observer can attempt to view all 110 objects of the Messier Catalog in a single night. Binoculars or a telescope are required, and it's best to have a plan to view all of these objects as the first few objects will set shortly after the Sun, and the last objects on the list will rise shortly before morning twilight. An interested observer should plan to go to a dark-sky site and begin the marathon with M74, as it will lie closest to the western horizon. A Messier Marathon planner like Larry McNish's can be used for a specific location.

    ☀️Total Solar Eclipse☀️

    The next event, and probably the event that observers are most excited about, is a total solar eclipse occurring on April 8th. If an observer still needs to book a hotel, they may be out of luck if travel is required. Interested observers can use this interactive map to view the eclipse path and hopefully find a suitable location to enjoy this extraordinary event.

    ☄️Comet Pons-Brooks☄️

    April will also offer the chance to view a potential unaided-eye comet! Pons-Brooks, a short-period comet, will reach its brightest on April 21st, with a predicted magnitude of 4.2. However, comets are unpredictable, just like the weather, and may appear brighter or dimmer than their estimated magnitude. If Pons-Brooks does get bright enough, it may even be visible during the eclipse on April 8th. 

    🌠Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower🌠

    In early May, the Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower will return. This meteor shower will peak on May 5th, allowing observers to view up to 85 meteors per hour. With a New Moon phase occurring on the 8th, observers will experience a Moon-free sky while enjoying this shower. An observer should avoid as much light pollution as possible for the best results possible. 

    🌠Perseid Meteor Shower🌠

    August 2024 brings many events that should capture the interest of any astronomer. Beginning on the evening of the 12th and continuing through the 13th, the Perseid Meteor Shower will peak. This shower is one of the most popular due to the high volume of meteors and the warmer nightly temperatures. The First Quarter Moon will brighten the sky around midnight, so interested observers should begin watching for the Perseids before this time. As always, a dark sky site is recommended to view as many of these meteors as possible.

   ☾⋆｡𖦹 °✩ Planetary Conjunction ☾⋆｡𖦹 °✩

     On the morning of August 14th, observers should look east before morning twilight to witness one of the most notable planetary conjunctions for the next 15 years! Jupiter and Mars can be seen as a single point of light from our Earthly vantage point. A pair of binoculars or a telescope may be required to separate these two planets.

    🌙Occultation🌙

    A week later, on August 21st, the nearly Full Moon will occult Saturn, blocking the ringed planet from view. Unfortunately for Utahns, this event will occur while these two objects are still below the eastern horizon. When they do rise above the mountains, around 10:00 PM, the pair can be found with less than 2° of separation.         

    ⋆⭒˚｡⋆ Planetary Alignment ⋆⭒˚｡⋆

    On August 28th, an observer can step outside before sunrise to view a six-planetary alignment. Every planet except Venus will be visible, with Saturn and Neptune in the west and Uranus high in the south. Finally, Jupiter and Mars, which recently experienced a conjunction, can be seen in the southeast, with Mercury rising in the east. While this planetary alignment can be seen a few days before and after the 28th, a thin crescent moon will join Mars in the morning sky.

    🪐 Saturn at Opposition 🪐

    September is the best time to view Saturn in 2024. The ringed world will reach opposition on the 8th, meaning it will be visible all night. Saturn can be enjoyed with the unaided eye, binoculars, or a telescope. Of course, a telescope will reveal its rings and give the most planetary detail.  

    ☄️Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS☄️

    October brings a chance for another potential unaided-eye comet! Tsuchinshan-ATLAS will make its closest approach to the Earth on the 12th and has the opportunity to reach a magnitude of -1.0. As a comparison, Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, has a magnitude of -1.5. Again, as will all comets, their brightness is extremely unpredictable.

    🌕Supermoon🌕

    October also brings the largest Full Moon of 2024. This Supermoon will grace our skies on the 17th and will appear brighter than any other Moon of 2024 because of its closeness to the Earth. On this date, the Moon will be approximately 220,000 miles from our planet.

    🪐Jupiter at Opposition🪐

    Jupiter will reach opposition on December 7th, making this the best time to view the largest planet in our solar system. Jupiter will remain visible all night so an observer can enjoy the Great Red Spot, the cloud bands, and its moons. This planet can also be viewed with unaided eyes as it shines brightly at magnitude -2.8.

    Aside from any unexpected events such as a new comet or a meteor fireball streaking across the sky, this concludes the astronomy events of 2024. Observers should be sure to mark their calendars for the events they are most excited about. Remember to get outside and look up in 2024!  

Now get outside and look up!

Monthly Night Sky Report: January 2024

           Introduction

    Utahns were able to experience clear skies towards the end of 2023. It was cold, but the clear skies offered the chance to view Orion, Jupiter, and Saturn in the evening sky and Venus shortly before sunrise. Although I could not observe the Geminid or Ursid meteor showers due to cloudy skies on the peak dates, several chances to watch were put online by NASA and different universities and others worldwide.   

    January 2024 has already arrived. It feels like 2023 streaked by and fizzled out like a meteor. Only a few astronomy highlights will occur during January. The first is the Quadrantid meteor shower, which will be favored by a waning crescent Moon that will sink below the horizon early in the evening, allowing more meteors to be seen. Mars will return to the morning sky in late January and can be found in conjunction with Mercury. There will also be a (small) chance of a comet reaching unaided-eye visibility. Observers may also notice that the amount of daylight time is increasing and the amount of darkness is decreasing as the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth begins to tilt towards the Sun once again. 

             

Mercury

    Mercury can be found in the morning sky during most of the month. The innermost planet will reach its greatest western elongation on the 12th, a day after the New Moon. On the 9th, a thin, waning crescent Moon can be found less than 10° from Mercury. For the observer that watches the sky every morning, they should notice Mercury and Venus getting closer together from the Earth's perspective. By the 17th, the pair of planets will be just 11° apart. Mercury will begin to sink closer to the horizon throughout the remainder of the month. Before it becomes an evening planet, Mars will join this tiny world in the morning sky around the 19th. With each passing morning, the two planets will move towards each other in a dance until the 27th, when the pair can be found less than a quarter of a degree apart. A clear view of the eastern horizon is a necessity to view this planetary conjunction.    

  

Venus

    Venus will be the easiest of the trio of morning planets to view during January. The Earth's sister planet will rise above the eastern horizon about two hours before sunrise as the month begins. By the end of the month, Venus will rise about 30 minutes later. Venus can be found within 10° of Antares, the bright red star that represents the eye of Scorpius. The Moon will pass within 6° of Venus on Monday the 8th and will occult Antares around 6:30 AM on this same date. A pair of binoculars may be useful as the morning twilight may obscure unaided-eye visibility. Early risers should bundle up to watch this event!      

    

Mars

    Mars returns to the morning sky in late January. The best time to begin watching for the Red Planet will be on the 19th, when it lies just 6° from Mercury. As the month progresses, this pair of planets will move closer together until the 27th, when they can be found less than a quarter of a degree apart. Unfortunately, Mars will be quite dim and require a telescope to see during this rare conjunction.     

Jupiter

Saturn

     

    Jupiter and Saturn will be visible in the evening sky during January. Jupiter, the closer, larger, and brighter of the two, will be found in the southeast after sunset. This gas giant will not sink below the western horizon until after midnight during the month. A pair of binoculars will easily reveal the four Galilean Moons, while a telescope can reveal the cloud bands and Great Red Spot. The Earth's own Moon will pass within 3° of Jupiter on the 18th.

    Saturn lies further west than Jupiter in the night sky and should still be easy to spot against the background stars of Aquarius. A large pair of binoculars and a calm, steady sky can reveal the rings of this planet. A telescope of any size will more readily reveal this majestic feature. The Earth's three-day-old Moon will pass within 2° of Saturn on the 14th.   

   

       

Neptune

Uranus

    

    The two ice giants can be viewed through binoculars but will look their best through a telescope. Uranus can be found close to the midpoint on an imaginary line formed between Jupiter and the Pleiades. A first-quarter Moon will pass within 3° of Uranus on the 19th. 

    Neptune will trail behind Saturn during January. This most distant ice giant shines at a dim 7.92 magnitude nearly all month, placing it in binocular territory. The Earth's Moon will pass less than 1° from this planet on the 15th.   

Meteor Shower, Occultation, and a Comet

     January will bring the return of the Quadrantid meteor shower. This shower is named after a constellation that no longer exists. Instead, look toward the constellation Boötes rising in the northeast sky on the morning of the 4th to catch the Quadrantid point of radiation. A waning crescent Moon will have sunk below the western horizon before Boötes rises above the opposite horizon. For those unfamiliar with the location of Boötes, look for the bright red star Arcturus, the brightest star of this constellation. This shower will allow observers to see up to 80 meteors per hour from a dark sky location on the peak date.

    Utahns will be treated to a rare occultation of Antares during January. On the morning of the 8th, the Earth's Moon can be seen passing in front of this red supergiant star that represents the angry eye of Scorpius the Scorpion. I recommend using a pair of binoculars, although a telescope that can track objects may benefit some. The occultation will begin around 6:35, with Antares completely disappearing behind the Moon less than 10 minutes later. At approximately 7:45, Antares will begin to peek out from behind the Moon but will likely not be visible due to the morning twilight. 

     A periodic comet can be seen passing through Cygnus the Sawn during January. Comet Pons-Brooks was first discovered in 1812 and returns every 71 years or so. Current predictions have this comet reaching a magnitude of 9.44 by the end of January, but outbursts have been known to happen that increase this brightness by four times, making it an unaided-eye comet. For Utahns, this comet can be viewed in the early evening hours above the western horizon or in the late morning hours before sunrise in the eastern sky. A pair of binoculars or a telescope is required if an outburst does not happen. I recommend using a stargazing app on your favorite mobile device to help locate Pons-Brooks as its position changes daily.  

Monthly Breakdown

January 03: Last Quarter Moon🌗

January 04: Quadrantid Meteor Shower peaks🌠 

January 06: Venus passes within 6° of Antares 

January 08: Moon passes within 6° of Venus

January 08: Moon occults Antares; begins at 6:35 AM 

January 09: Moon passes within 7° of Mercury 

January 10: Moon passes within 4° of Mars 
January 11: New Moon 🌑
January 12: Mercury reaches its greatest western elongation
January 14: Moon passes within 2° of Saturn
January 15: Moon passes within 1° of Neptune
January 17: First Quarter Moon 🌓
January 18: Moon passes within 3° of Jupiter
January 19: Moon passes within 3° of Uranus
January 25: Full Moon 🌕 

January 27: Mercury and Mars conjunction

         

Now get outside and look up!

Planet images were taken by NASA.

Andrew vs. the Cosmos image was taken by Jeff Greenland.

The Milky Way and Trees image was taken by Andrew Greenland.

Orion, Taurus, and Pleiades image was taken by Andrew Greenland.

    

Midmonth Check-In: December 2023 and the Moon

Introduction and Monthly Reminders   

    The first half of the month brought mountain snow and valley rain over much of Utah. While it has been cooler, it is still unusually warm for this time of the year. During the short breaks in the clouds, the evening planets and constellations could easily be seen, in addition to Venus and early morning stars. Due to the active Sun, there was an unusual opportunity to view the northern lights over Utah. Unfortunately, it was stormy during those days from my location. 

    Observers may still have the chance to view the leftover meteors from the Geminids. The Ursids are still fast approaching, with their peak on the evening of the 21st and morning of the 22nd. The Winter Solstice will occur on the 21st. Observers can still watch three asteroids reach opposition: Vesta (21st), Metis (22nd), and Astraea (27th).    

The Moon

    The next planet out from the Sun is the Earth. Instead of discussing the Earth, the Moon would be a more appropriate subject. The Moon is the closest astronomical object to the Earth and is the only natural satellite to our planet. The most popular theory is that a Mars-sized object collided with the Earth billions of years ago, causing debris from the impact to eventually coalesce, forming the Moon. The size of the Moon is roughly one-third of the size of the Earth. If the Earth were the size of a nickel, the Moon would be about the size of a green pea. 

    The Moon lies, on average, approximately 239,000 miles from the Earth. The orbit of the Moon around the Earth is not a perfect circle, so this distance varies, with the apogee being about 252,100 miles and its perigee at 225,600 miles. This change in distance means that the Moon appears slightly larger when it is closest to the Earth, a phenomenon known as a supermoon. The Moon is moving away from the Earth at the face-melting speed of about one inch per year.

    As an observer, an individual may notice that they only ever see one side of the Moon. This is due to the Moon being tidally locked with the Earth. It is thought that after the collision between a Mars-sized object with the Earth, the debris that was flung off the two bodies that later joined together to create the Moon, was molten debris. As the Moon orbited the Earth and cooled, the heavy materials were pulled toward the Earth due to its gravity. When I think of this theory, I think of a piece of bread with peanut butter on it. As the bread falls to the ground, it usually flips, so the peanut butter lands face down.      

    Like Mercury and Venus, the Moon goes through phases. Unlike the inner two planets, the Moon can reach a "full" phase or have the Earth-facing side completely lit up from the Sun. It takes the Moon about 27 days to complete one full rotation around the Earth. During this rotation around the Earth, the phases of the Moon change, typically going from Full phase to Full phase in 27 days. 

    During its orbit around the Earth, the Moon can pass directly between the Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow on the Earth and creating an eclipse. Depending on where an individual lies on the eclipse path, they may see a total eclipse, where the maximum amount of the Moon blocks the Sun from view, or a partial eclipse, where only part of the Moon blocks the Sun. As previously mentioned, the orbit of the Moon around the Earth is not a perfect circle, so the Moon can be closer (perigee) or further (apogee) from the Earth. When the Moon is at apogee during an eclipse, we experience an Annular Solar Eclipse, like the one many Utahns experienced in October 2023. During an Annular Solar Eclipse, the Earth-Moon distance is too great for the entirety of the Sun to be blocked. Check out the two images below that I took during the Annular Solar Eclipse from Richfield, Utah.

Image taken with my phone through my astronomy binoculars.

Annular Solar Eclipse taken with my phone. Focus on the reflection above the Sun.

    When the Moon is at perigee during an eclipse, we experience a Total Solar Eclipse like what occurred most recently in August of 2017 across much of the US and will again in April of 2024. During this type of eclipse, the entire Sun and its light will be blocked by the Moon, revealing planets, stars, and the corona of the Sun. Check out these two images that I took during the Total Solar Eclipse in 2017 from Mud Lake, Idaho.

Total Solar Eclipse taken with my phone in 2017.

"Diamond Ring" taken during the Total Solar Eclipse in 2017 with my phone.

    The Moon is the only body in the solar system, other than the Earth, that humans have visited. The first Moon landing occurred on 20 July 1969 with Apollo 11 and involved the NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. A total of 24 humans and over 100 robots have visited the surface of the Moon. These missions have returned over 800 pounds of Moon rocks to the Earth. 

    There are currently seven active missions on and around the Moon from different countries worldwide. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) from NASA has been mapping the surface of the Moon since 2009, has collected a treasure trove of data, and has located some possible landing sites for future crewed missions. Several future missions are planned for our closest celestial neighbor, including Artemis, a mission designed by NASA to land humans on the Moon as early as 2025.  

    Be sure to check back soon for new posts on upcoming astronomical events in 2024 and my January Monthly Night Sky Report.      

     

 

    

Now get outside and look up!