Lunar eclipses, supermoons, meteor showers and other astronomical phenomena will be in the news this year around the world. You just have to know when they will occur and how best to observe them to witness these natural gifts.
1. Supermoon
The year began with a supermoon that illuminated the first nights of January. This occurs when the Moon is in full phase at the point of its orbit closest to Earth. The countryside or the mountains, where artificial lights do not interrupt, are the perfect setting to enjoy a phenomenon of this type.
2. Total Lunar Eclipse
On January 31, the first lunar eclipse of the year will take place, which will have two in total. This will occur with the second full moon of the month and can be seen at its longest from countries such as Japan, the Philippines, New Zealand or from the state of Alaska.
3. Partial solar eclipse
In February it will be the turn of the first partial solar eclipse, which occurs when the Moon stands between the Sun and the Earth. It can be observed mainly in Antarctica and in some places in Argentina and Chile.
4. Red Moon
July will be the month of the Blood Moon or Red Moon. When the full moon arrives, it will be time for a total lunar eclipse visible from Europe, central Asia, and Africa. The Moon will pass through the shadow cast on Earth, and the entire lunar disk will be orange or reddish in color.
5. Meteor shower
On August 12 and 13, one of the brightest events of the year will take place, the popular Perseid meteor shower. The sky will be dark and will allow you to enjoy this phenomenon in its maximum splendor.
6. Comet Dust
In November, the Leonid meteor shower will arrive, produced by the remnants of dust from Comet Swift Tuttle. On Saturday the 17th and Sunday the 18th it will be easy to see it anywhere in the sky.
7. Kite in sight
Comet 46P/Wirtanen, discovered in 1948 by the American astronomer Carl Alvar Wirtanen, takes 5.4 years to complete its orbit around the Sun. On December 12 it will make its closest approach to the Sun and four or five days later it will make its closest approach to our planet.
There are many appointments that astronomical phenomena give us for the year that has just begun. We recommend that you do not miss them so that you can understand and admire the immensity of the universe.