Next year, the skies will present a multitude of impressive celestial phenomena that will illuminate the night sky in 2024. These extraordinary events will captivate millions of observers, with a total solar eclipse and impressive meteor showers. In addition, anticipation is growing for the increasing appearance of dazzling auroras as the sun approaches its solar maximum. Many people wonder what are the most important astronomical events of 2024.
In this article we are going to summarize what are the most important astronomical events of 2024.
What are the most important astronomical events of 2024
January 18
Early in the year, a celestial event will unfold when the Moon and Jupiter converge in the night sky. On January 18, the largest planet in our solar system will attract attention, accompanied by a radiant crescent moon. But it's okay if you miss this extraordinary sight, as Jupiter and the Moon will meet once again on February 14, March 13, and April 10. These conjunctions align with the Moon's monthly orbit around Earth, and each offers a distinct spectacle. For more information on astronomical events, you can check out our Guide to April's astronomical events.
April 8
One of the most important astronomical events of the year will undoubtedly be a stunning total solar eclipse, which will captivate the attention of millions of viewers across North America as the moon completely obscures the sun. The path of totality, which encompasses the total occultation of the solar disk by the Moon, will cross a total of four Mexican states, fifteen US states, from Texas to Maine, and five provinces in eastern Canada.
This celestial phenomenon will grace the skies of several prominent cities, including Mazatlán in Mexico, as well as Austin, Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo in the United States, and Montreal in Canada. The total phase of the eclipse will begin at 18:07 UTC along Mexico's Pacific coast. The duration of totality will vary along the path, with the city of Torreón in Mexico experiencing up to four minutes and 28 seconds of darkness. For those interested, more about other eclipses can be found on our page about solar eclipses.
A comet in April
A colossal comet known as 12P/Pons-Brooks, which towers three times the height of Mount Everest, is hurtling toward our solar system's interior at a rapid pace. Composed primarily of ice, dust, and gas, this cryovolcanic comet has astonished astronomers with its sudden increase in luminosity, following a series of eruptions in 2023. As the comet approaches the Sun in March, its brightness is expected to intensify due to the gravitational forces exerted by our radiant star. There is even a chance that, come April, the comet will be visible to the naked eye shortly after sunset, gracing the western sky. For more details on visual highlights, see our section on astronomical binoculars.
May 4
Don't miss the spectacular Eta Aquarid meteor shower in 2024 if you are a shooting star enthusiast. Sky conditions are expected to be perfect for the peak of the rain. The optimal time to enjoy the best views will be in the early morning hours of May 4, when the waning crescent moon won't rise until just before dawn. This means that the skies will be exceptionally dark, which will allow stargazers to detect even the faintest shooting stars.
The shower's radiant, which is where the meteors appear to originate from, will be located near the southeastern horizon within the constellation Aquarius, from which the shower gets its name. Due to this positioning, observers of the southern hemisphere will have a slight advantage in witnessing this celestial event. Meteor showers are a phenomenon that coincides with the appearance of other events, so for more information on meteor showers, check out the page about the Perseids.
12 y 13 August
In mid-August, an annual phenomenon occurs in which our planet passes through a group of debris launched by Comet Swift-Tuttle. This event is responsible for a dazzling display of shooting stars as small meteors disintegrate upon entering Earth's atmosphere. Known as the Perseid meteor shower, It typically produces about 60 shooting stars per hour under normal circumstances. However, this year is expected to be exceptionally spectacular because the peak of the rain will coincide with a moonless sky.
The waxing gibbous Moon will set before midnight, creating optimal conditions for viewing during the night and early morning hours. The northern hemisphere is especially fortunate for this celestial spectacle, as the meteors appear to come from the constellation of Perseus, which is located near the horizon for those residing in more southern latitudes.
Another comet in September and October
A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, a celestial body discovered in February 2023, has captured the attention of comet enthusiasts. In early summer, this comet will grace the night sky that can be enjoyed with home telescopes. As September approaches, the comet's orbit will bring it closer to both the Sun and Earth, a rare event that has not occurred in 80.000 years. Astronomers predict that its brightness will intensify, making it visible even to the naked eye or with binoculars.
September 17
Starting September 17, a series of stunning celestial alignments will occur during the final four months of the year. Every month, the Moon and Saturn will converge, creating an extraordinary spectacle that can be seen with the naked eye. This extraordinary event It will take place on October 14 and 15, November 11 and December 8. Shortly after sunset, these two luminous entities will become visible, and the space between them will be perfect for observing with low-power binoculars. For those who wish to learn more about these planets, please consult our information on Jupiter's atmosphere.
October 2
People residing in the Western Hemisphere will have the opportunity to witness the second solar eclipse of 2024. Most of the path of the annular eclipse, also known as ring of fire, crosses the Pacific Ocean, resulting in limited visibility from land. However, the initial sighting of this extraordinary event will occur on Easter Island at 19:07 UTC (20:07 Spanish peninsular time). Residents of this area will enjoy an extraordinary annularity of 6 minutes and 23 seconds, which signifies the culminating phase of the eclipse, where the Moon aligns with the solar disk, creating a radiant ring of sunlight surrounding its edges. For more details on eclipses, you can visit our summary of astronomical events from previous years.
December 4
The Moon and Venus, the second and third brightest objects in the sky respectively, will come together in a captivating display. With the help of binoculars, You will have the opportunity to contemplate these two celestial bodies side by side. And if that were not enough, through a small telescope, Venus will appear as a charming miniature replica of the quarter moon.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the most important astronomical events of 2024.