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!
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| Now get outside and look up! |
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