![]() ![]() The waxing gibbous moon will set around midnight, ushering in excellent viewing conditions later in the night and predawn hours. This year promises to be particularly good for the Perseids, since the shower’s peak will coincide with a dark, moonless sky. This is the Perseid meteor shower, and it can produce up to 60 shooting stars per hour in a typical year. Aug 12 and 13: The peak of the PerseidsĮvery mid-August, Earth travels through a cloud of debris shed by the comet Swift–Tuttle, producing a flurry of shooting stars in the sky as small meteors burn up in the atmosphere. Although this is not the most abundant shower, the Aquarids have the distinction of originating from the residual dust cloud left behind by Comet Halley, which last visited near Earth back in 1986. Sky-watchers across Southern Hemisphere can expect to see an impressive display of 20 to 30 shooting stars per hour, while observers to the north can anticipate 10 to 20 per hour in the predawn hours of May 4. Remember to pick a location far from light pollution, and give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust. ![]() Because of this location, the sky show slightly favors observers in the Southern Hemisphere. The shower's radiant-where the individual meteors appear to originate-will be close to the southeastern horizon within the shower’s namesake constellation Aquarius. The best views are expected in the predawn hours of May 4, when the waning crescent moon will not rise until just before dawn, meaning particularly dark skies will allow stargazers to glimpse even the faintest shooting stars. Shooting star enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Eta Aquarid meteor shower in 2024, as the sky conditions promise to be ideal for the peak of the shower. And nine days later, on April 21, comet Pons-Brooks will reach its closest point to the sun and may peak in brightness, providing one of the best opportunities to catch a glimpse.Īlso be sure to look for the comet during the April 8 total solar eclipse, when it will appear close to the eclipsed sun, potentially visible with binoculars or even with the naked eye if it flares up-a rare celestial duo that promises to be an unforgettable sky show! May 4: The Eta Aquarids meteor shower peaks Look for it on April 12, when the comet will appear to swing by brilliant Jupiter, making it much easier to track down. By April it could even become visible with the unaided eye just after sunset in the western sky. In March, as the comet gets closer to the sun, it is expected to really pick up pace from the increased pull of our star’s gravity. The cryovolcanic comet, made up mostly of ice, dust, and gas, underwent multiple outbursts in 2023, and it has surprised astronomers with its rapid increase in brightness. April: A bright comet passes close to EarthĪ giant comet, three times the size of Mount Everest, named 12P/Pons-Brooks is quickly making its way toward the inner solar system. Find a clear viewing spot within the path of totality, and the 2024 total eclipse of the sun promises an unforgettable experience. Remember, witnessing this cosmic phenomenon requires proper eye protection. The duration of totality varies along the path, lasting up to four minutes and 28 seconds near the town of Torreón, Mexico, while most places in the center of the path will experience three-and-a-half to four minutes of darkness. ![]() Eastern time (19:28 UTC), and finally Newfoundland at 3:58 p.m. Central time (18:27 UTC), Maine at 2:28 p.m. Mountain time (18:07 UTC), then progresses to the northeast, reaching Texas at 12:27 p.m. The total phase of the eclipse hits the Pacific coast of Mexico at 11:07 a.m. Totality will grace the skies of several major cities, including Mazatlán, Austin, Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Montreal. states running from Texas to Maine, and five Canadian provinces in the eastern part of the country. The path of totality, where the entire disk of the sun is blotted out by the moon, will sweep across four states of Mexico, 15 U.S. The premier celestial event of the year will be a breathtaking total solar eclipse that will darken the skies for millions of watchers across North America as the moon completely covers the sun.
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