Don’t forget to keep an eye out for various planets as they become visible in the night sky at different times throughout the year. You might even catch a glimpse of the International Space Station passing over your area. Here are some celestial events to look forward to in 2025.
Full Moons and Supermoons:
Each month’s full moon is linked to a specific name, as per the Farmers’ Almanac. However, various indigenous tribes assign different names and meanings to the full moons. For example:
– January 13: Wolf moon
– February 12: Snow moon
– March 14: Worm moon
– April 12: Pink moon
– May 12: Flower moon
– June 11: Strawberry moon
– July 10: Buck moon
– August 9: Sturgeon moon
– September 7: Corn moon
– October 6: Harvest moon
– November 5: Beaver moon
– December 4: Cold moon
Solar and Lunar Eclipses:
In 2025, there will be two partial solar eclipses. A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon partially blocks the sun’s face, creating a crescent shape.
– The first partial solar eclipse will occur on March 29 and will be visible in parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America.
– The second partial solar eclipse will take place on September 21 and will be visible in parts of Australia, Antarctica, and some Pacific islands.
There will also be two total lunar eclipses during the March and September full moon events. During a lunar eclipse, the moon appears dark or dimmed as it passes into Earth’s shadow. The moon may take on a reddish hue during a total lunar eclipse, also known as a “blood moon.”
Meteor Showers:
Throughout the year, there will be opportunities to witness meteor showers undisturbed by the brightness of the full moon. Keep an eye out for these celestial events and check Time and Date’s website for specific viewing times and locations.
The beginning of the year will showcase the peak of the Quadrantid meteor shower, as stated by Robert Lunsford, the fireball report coordinator for the American Meteor Society. The ideal viewing time for this celestial event is in the early hours of January 3. Looking ahead to the rest of 2025, here is a list of other meteor showers to look forward to, along with their expected peak dates, sourced from the American Meteor Society and EarthSky.
– Lyrids: April 21-22
– Eta Aquariids: May 3-4
– Southern Delta Aquariids: July 29-30
– Alpha Capricornids: July 29-30
– Perseids: August 12-13
– Draconids: October 8-9
– Orionids: October 22-23
– Southern Taurids: November 3-4
– Northern Taurids: November 8-9
– Leonids: November 16-17
– Geminids: December 12-13
– Ursids: December 21-22
