Solar Eclipse 2024: Yes, a solar eclipse is happening in April. But these are the other astronomical events happening in 2024
(FOX40.COM) — By now, it’s no secret that a total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of the United States on April 8, and while it’s probably the most exciting astronomical event happening in 2024, it’s far from the only one.
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, here is a list of awe-inspiring celestial events in 2024 that everyone can view, even without special equipment.
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April 8: Total Eclipse of the Sun
The Almanac states on its website that the next total solar eclipse to be visible in the U.S. will arrive in 2045, which makes Monday’s event that much more exciting; however, those in California are likely to only see a partial eclipse.
But the Almanac notes that a partial eclipse is still worthy of getting the glasses out and tilting your head toward the sky.
“Do not imagine that because your backyard can see a 90% partial eclipse, you’d be missing a darkness boost….you’d be missing the whole show!”
The website also says that the eclipse is safe to look at directly during its three minutes of totality, but recommends eclipse glasses for those who would like to watch the hour-long partial eclipse that happens before and after the total eclipse.
June: Solstice Full Moon
On June 21, the Sun will travel along its northernmost path of the sky, which marks the astronomical start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, called the summer solstice.
On the night of June 21, the Moon is expected to be “unusually amber” with a “low-down lunar placement.”
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Around 1 a.m. on the night of June 21/morning of June 22, the Moon will “sink an extra 10 Moon-widths lower than the Sun ever gets to go,” creating an amazing visual experience.
“So watch the Moon that night if you’re awake in the hour after midnight. That’s when the Full Moon is always highest-up for the entire night,” the Almanac writes.
During the summer solstice, the Earth arrives at the point in its orbit where the North Pole is at a maximum tilt toward the Sun, which is scientific language to explain why the solstice marks the “longest day (the longest period of sunlight hours) and shortest night” of the calendar year.
Conversely, in the Southern Hemisphere, the June solstice marks the beginning of winter.
August: Perseid Meteor Shower
Every year, the Perseid meteor shower lights up the night sky around the world between mid-July and late August and is consistently considered one of the best shooting star displays of the year.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the Perseid shower will take place from Aug. 11 to 12, but Space.com states that the shooting star display will peak around the night of Aug. 12 and before dawn on Aug. 13.
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“Though the moon will be 50% illuminated at the time of the Perseids’ peak, it will set around midnight, so there will be dark skies until dawn — perfect for meteor hunting,” the astronomy news website adds.
NASA said during the Perseids’ peak, viewers can see up to 100 meteors per hour. The agency adds that the Perseid meteor shower comes from space debris left by a comet named Swift-Tuttle. The comet, which was discovered in 1862 by Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle, orbits the Sun once every 133 years.
However, Earth passes through the comet’s debris trail annually, which causes the meteors to collide with our atmosphere and create the beautiful streaks of fire in the sky that stargazers have come to know and enjoy.
September: Partial Lunar Eclipse
While the solar eclipse in April is receiving all of the attention, another eclipse will take place around mid-September, but this time it’s a lunar eclipse, which occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are positioned in somewhat of a straight line.
“This particular event will be unusual because only 9% of the Moon will be covered by a small black bite of Earth’s shadow,” the Almanac said.
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On the night of Sept. 17 and 18, around 7:45 p.m. in California, moon-lovers should be treated to the lunar eclipse as the Moon passes through the darkest part of Earth’s shadow cast by the Sun, called the “umbra.”
November, December: Crescent Moon Meets Venus
In early November, a dynamic duo is expected to make an appearance in the night sky that is certain to dazzle anyone who sees it, but if you don’t, there’s no need to stress. They’ll make another appearance in early December.
Around Nov. 4, a waning crescent Moon will be paired with the Evening star, otherwise known as the planet Venus, and will be visible around sunset. The two celestial entities will “perform a curtain call” and reappear next to one another on Dec. 4, the Almanac says.
“Look toward the west as sunset deepens into twilight,” the website adds.
When visible from Earth, Venus is 15 times brighter than the sky’s brightest star, Sirius, according to Space.com. Those on the East Coast will see the Moon and Venus at their closest because, by the time the duo rises for the West Coast, the moon will have moved a little farther away from Venus.
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