Get ready to marvel at the night sky in 2025 with a plethora of celestial events and astronomical wonders. After dazzling audiences in 2024, this year promises to be just as spectacular.
Astronomical Highlights:
– January 13: Occultation of Mars by the Moon
– January 15: Mars at opposition and peak brightness
– January 18: Venus and Saturn are just over two degrees apart
– March 14: Total lunar eclipse
– May 3: National Astronomy Day
– August 12: The two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter, will be less than one degree apart
– September 21: Saturn at opposition
– October 4: International Observe the Moon Night
Space Exploration Highlights:
– NASA’s Juno spacecraft will continue its journey to explore Jupiter’s atmosphere
– SpaceX’s Starship program is set to launch in 2025, marking a significant milestone for private space exploration
– The European Space Agency’s Gaia mission will release new data on the galaxy’s structure and evolution
Stellar Events:
– January: Mercury visible in the predawn sky at magnitude -0.4
– January: The Quadrantid Meteor Shower peaks on Jan. 3
– February: The Orionid Meteor Shower peaks around Feb. 22
– March: The Lyrid Meteor Shower peaks on April 21
Tips for Stargazers:
– Bundle up and grab your binoculars on a clear night in January to witness the brightest stars of the year
– Head out at 8 p.m. or 7:30 p.m., depending on the time, to spot Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Aldebaran, Capella, Rigel, Betelgeuse, Sirius, Procyon, and Mars in the night sky
Stay tuned for more updates and astronomical insights by visiting www.starrytrails.com or checking out the Hoover Price Planetarium’s show dates and times at www.mckinleymuseum.org.
Source: https://eu.cantonrep.com/story/lifestyle/columns/2024/12/29/after-dazzling-2024-next-years-skies-will-offer-more-fireworks/77231408007