Stargazers are in for a treat in 2024 as the night sky promises a plethora of celestial events, including full moons, meteor showers, solar and lunar eclipses, and vibrant auroras.
Solar and Lunar eclipses
The highlight is the highly anticipated total solar eclipse on April 8, visible in Mexico, the US, and Canada. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon fully blocks the sun’s face, with the path of totality offering a complete cover of the sun.
Additionally, an annular solar eclipse is expected on October 2 over parts of South America, forming a “ring of fire” as the sun’s light surrounds the moon’s shadow.
Lunar eclipses, including a penumbral lunar eclipse on March 24-25 visible across continents, add to the astronomical marvels.
The sun is poised to reach solar maximum in mid-to-late 2024, releasing solar flares and coronal mass ejections that can impact Earth’s technologies.
Scientists, anticipating insights from April’s total solar eclipse, will closely monitor solar activity. Increased solar activity brings the spectacle of auroras, or the northern and southern lights, visible at Earth’s poles.
Geomagnetic storms in 2023 allowed rare sightings as far south as New Mexico and the southeast of England.
As the sun’s activity peaks, auroras’ vibrant displays are expected, creating a captivating celestial show in Earth’s skies.
Here are the full moons of 2024:
January 25: Wolf moon
February 24: Snow moon
March 25: Worm moon
April 23: Pink moon
May 23: Flower moon
June 21: Strawberry moon
July 21: Buck moon
August 19: Sturgeon moon
September 17: Harvest moon
October 17: Hunter’s moon
November 15: Beaver moon
December 15: Cold moon
Here is the full list of meteor showers occurring in 2024, according to the American Meteor Society.
Quadrantids: January 3-4
Lyrids: April 21-22
Eta Aquariids: May 4-5
Southern Delta Aquariids: July 30-31
Alpha Capricornids: July 30-31
Perseids: August 12-13
Draconids: October 7-8
Orionids: October 21-22
Southern Taurids: November 5-6
Northern Taurids: November 11-12
Leonids: November 17-18
Geminids: December 13-14
Ursids: December 21-22
