In 2024 we will see bright comets, a major parade of planets, a major solar eclipse, violent meteor showers and more. Let's discover the astronomical gems of 2024!
Contents
3rd–4th January: Quadrantid summit
You should definitely start your new astronomical year with the Quadrantids. With an hourly rate of 60 to 200 meteors at peak, they are taken into account one of the most violent meteor showers of the year. The Quadrantids are also known for their bursting fireballs. In 2024, its nighttime peak will coincide with the rising of the last quarter moon at midnight. So look for “shooting stars” before the moon rises. You can also wait for a night with less moonlight – in my opinion, Quadrantid activity lasts until approximately January 12thand bright fireballs were observed for days after the actual peak.
To see how ready you are for meteor watching, take our quiz. Be careful – only 7% get a perfect score!
Do you think you are a weather expert? Take our quiz and find out if you really have bright eyes or are just distracted. 🌠 👀 Bonus: Get some pro tips to actually spot those 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 8th this year. The moon will pass in front of the sun, blocking any 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 amazing spectacle will be visible from many locations around the world 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 the area will have the opportunity to view the partial solar 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 solar eclipse with our constant observation Updated infographic about 5 upcoming eclipses.
List of 5 upcoming lunar and solar eclipses, their dates, timeline and visibility maps. Check if you can see them from your location!
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April 21: Comet Pons-Brooks at its peak
The short-period comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will be 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 8th! As the sky darkens, the magnitude 5 comet could appear 27° 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. Find out all the details about Comet Pons-Brooks in the corresponding article.
May 5th: Summit of Eta Aquarides
In May, observers in the tropics and southern hemisphere can enjoy the powerful Eta Aquarid meteor shower – One of the best for Southern watchers. During the peak it ensures 40 to 85 Meteors per hour. In 2024, the peak of Eta Aquarids will almost coincide with the new moon on May 8th Moonlight does not affect observations.
12th-13th August: Perseid summit
One of the most popular meteor showers in the Northern Hemisphere are the Perseids. They have Colorful meteors which often leave stubborn traces and are very productive – observers can roughly see 100 Meteors per hour during their peak. In 2024, the peak of the Perseids will be near the first quarter moon, setting around midnight, leaving the second half of the night free of moonlight. Read our article about the best time to watch this meteor shower.
August 14: Very close approach to Mars and Jupiter
There best planetary conjunction of the year takes place on August 14th between Mars and Jupiter. The planets will pass just 0°18' apart, appearing almost like a single star (the usual distance during a conjunction is at least 0°30'). Time and date lists this event as one of seven notable “close encounters” by 2040.
In the morning, a few hours before sunrise, look for Mars and Jupiter in the Taurus constellation. They will be very bright and visible to the naked eye. If you want to confirm that these bright spots are indeed Mars and Jupiter, use the Sky Tonight app. Just launch the app and point your phone at the sky!
August 21: Lunar occultation of Saturn
On August 21, observers in 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 experience 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 represent and be visible from a 95% illuminated Moon Brazil, Italy, Norway, France, Switzerland and many other places.
August 28th: Great Planetary Parade
A planetary arrangement of six planets – Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn – will take place on the morning of August 28th. Most of these planets (except Uranus and Neptune) are clearly visible to us the naked eye. So, to see this event, all you have to do is go outside and look at the night sky! And don't worry if you miss the exact day – thatThe alignment will be visible for a few days before and after the specified date.
To learn how to observe a planetary constellation and what other constellations will take place in 2024, read the special article.
September 8: Best time to see Saturn
Saturn will reach opposition on September 8th – the weeks surrounding this event will be the best time to observe a planet. Saturn will be at its closest and brightest point of the year, shining at magnitude 0.6. The planet will look like a Prominent golden “star” in the night sky. Plus, because it's on the opposite side of the sky from the sun, it's visible all night long! If you want to see Saturn's rings, use a telescope or binoculars, but you can also enjoy the planet itself from here the naked eye.
October 2nd: Annular solar eclipse
There will also be an annular solar eclipse in 2024. Observers on Easter Island and parts of southern Chile and Argentina will observe one “Ring of Fire” – the bright solar ring around the moon. The partial solar eclipse will be visible from surrounding areas. The next annular solar 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 of 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
We will have the opportunity to see one in October exceptionally bright comet – the brightest since 2020. C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan ATLAS) will come closest to Earth on October 12th. At this point, the comet will reach its maximum brightness and could be visible to the naked eye. Astronomers predict a magnitude of -0.9. the brightness of the brightest stars ! Don't miss this event by setting a reminder in the Sky Tonight app. Find out more about C/2023 A3 in our guide, which includes: monthly path of the comet across the sky.
October 17: The largest full moon of 2024
The October 17 supermoon will be 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 October's full moon is known as the Hunter's Moon? Find out why in this colorful infographic.
When is the next full moon? When will the super blue moon occur this year? Check out our full moon calendar to see all the dates, times, names, supermoons 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 7th. It will shine at magnitude -2.8 and will be in the opposite direction of the Sun in our sky. Jupiter will reach its highest point around midnight local time, but that's possible See it with the naked eye as the sky darkens.
December 4th: The Moon near Venus
Venus will be in view for most of 2024 and at the end of the year it will delight astronomy enthusiasts with a truly spectacular event. On December 4th, the two brightest objects in the night sky – the Moon and Venus – will come closer to each other. 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 December's approach will be 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 witness some truly unique and rare events, such as an extremely bright comet, a very close encounter between Mars and Jupiter, a large parade of planets, and more. Keep exploring the sky and we will do our best to make your trip even more fun! To easily find any object in the sky, Use the Sky Tonight appthat is displayed all celestial objects for free.
We wish you clear skies and happy sightings!