A new year brings exciting celestial events for stargazers. Astronomers expect to see more aurora borealis, a partial solar eclipse, a total lunar eclipse, and two consecutive supermoons.
The Quadrantid meteor shower will kick off the year, peaking on January 3-4 in the UK. This strong meteor shower can produce up to 120 meteors per hour. Observers should move away from light pollution, dress warmly, and let their eyes adjust to the night sky for at least 15 minutes.
A partial solar eclipse will be visible from the UK on March 29, with maximum coverage occurring between 11:03 GMT and midday. Experts recommend observing this event safely with special solar filter glasses.
Later in the year, a total lunar eclipse will occur on September 7, during which the Moon turns red due to Earth’s atmosphere. This event can last several hours, and observers should view it from a cloud-free spot without obstruction.
Three supermoons will appear in 2025: the Hunter’s Moon on October 7, the Beaver Moon on November 5, and the Cold Moon on December 4. These events are named after native American cultures to reflect seasonal changes. Supermoons occur when the Moon is closest to Earth, appearing up to 15% brighter and 30% bigger than regular full moons.
Finally, the Northern Lights will continue to mesmerize audiences, with their vibrant multicolored displays caused by charged particles from the Sun colliding with Earth’s atmosphere. The next 12 months may bring more spectacular aurora sightings as the Sun’s activity peaks in its 11-year cycle.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/weather/articles/cy470ye4wn8o