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A striking twelvemonth for stargazers is ahead . From the Quadrantid meteor shower in January to the foe of Jupiter in December , there will be mass of opportunity to see the universe ’s wonders . Highlights of the yr let in a rare totalsolar eclipseseen from North America , a moonless Perseid shooting star shower and two comets that will reflect so bright they may be visible to the naked heart , making 2024 a yr not to be missed for sky - watchers . While many of these events are visible with the naked eye , vest now ina good father telescopecan greatly raise your experience .
Here are some dates for this twelvemonth ’s stargazing journal .
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 meteors per hr and include lustrous " bolide , " according toNASA . Here’severything you need to know about watching the Quadrantids blossom .
2. March equinox
When : March 20 , 2024
Although not a stargazing effect per se , Earth ’s axis being tilted neither toward nor away from the sun can often create the idealistic geometry for spectacular displays ofaurorasaround the poles . Since the sunshine is predicted to hitsolar maximumduring 2024 , resulting in increase solar activeness including aurora - triggering flare-up , this equinoctial point could see some especial shows .
3. Total solar eclipse
When : April 8 , 2024
One of nature ’s most outstanding sights is coming to North America . On April 8 , for up to 4 minutes 28 second , a coup d’oeil of the sun ’s corona amid darkness in the day is available to anyone who get into the 115 - stat mi - wide path of integrality through parts of northern Mexico , 15 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces .
4. Comet Pons-Brooks
When : April 21 , 2024
The make out year may be a good one for brilliant comet . Thevolcanic comet Pons - Brooks , which orb the sun every 71 years , will be visible using opera glasses during March and April , and on 12 April , it will be close to Jupiter . The comet will make its brightest on 21 April , so that ’s the date to prioritize .
Related : good opera glasses for stargazing 2023 : smear stars and galax
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 meteor showers have by dust and debris leave behind in the innersolar systembyHalley ’s comet , the Eta Aquariids will in 2024 occur under moonless nighttime skies , guarantee enough darkness to see its 10 to 20 " shooting headliner " per 60 minutes .
6. Perseid meteor shower
When : Aug. 12/13 , 2024
Often farm brilliant meteor easily visible to the nude middle , the Perseids meteoroid shower is one of the most famous of the year . The lunar month will be absent from the sky , so expect a good show — and corking views of theMilky Wayif you stay up until the sky get their darkest around midnight .
7. Saturn at opposition
When : Sept. 8 , 2024
In former September , Saturn will be at its brightest and best as Earth pass between it andthe sun . This will be the best time to see Saturn , though you ’ll need a small scope to see its rings .
8. Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS
When : Oct. 13 , 2024
Although it ’s look to be seeable in the sky before sunrise in later September , the best time to see Comet Tsuchinshan - ATLAS — only let out 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 crack - size moon will beautify the skies on this particular date as the closest full moon to Earth rises . It ’s one of three supermoons of the twelvemonth ; the others will spring up on Sept. 18 and Nov. 15 , but this one will be the largest . carry in high spirits tides in the supermoon ’s backwash .
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.
