Meteor showers, full moons and visible planets: Check out the celestial events in 2024
Turn your attention to the sky this year, Oklahoma, and you’ll see celestial events happening every month of 2024.
What can I expect to see in the sky in 2024?
Full moons, new moons and meteor showers are set to light up local skies in 2024 and are visible to the naked eye.
Several super and micro moons are expected throughout the year. Micro moons are when the full or new moon is at apogee, or the farthest point on its orbit away from Earth. In contrast, the super moons are when the full or new moon is at perigee, or at the closest point on its orbit to Earth.
In addition to the passing of comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS in October, several meteor shows will be visible.
Celestial events in July
From July 18 to Aug. 21 the Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower and Alpha Capricornids could be visible, though the meteor shower is strongest in the Southern Hemisphere.
According to earthsky.org the Delta Aquariids arrive every year and is best visible before the new moon rises. On July 21 the Full buck Moon will rise.
From July 23 to Nov. 19, planet gazers will be able to seek out the Neptune when its at its brightest.
Perseid Meteor Shower in August
Seek the Perseus constellation in the night sky and watch the Perseid Meteor Shower in August.
The shower will be visible in the Northern Hemisphere and doesn't require a telescope to view in the pre-dawn hours.
Calendar of Oklahoma celestial events in 2024
August
Aug. 4 – New Moon
Aug. 19 – Full blue moon
Aug. 25 to Oct. 1 – Saturn at its brightest in the evening sky
September
Sept. 2 – New Moon
Sept. 17 to Sept. 18 – Partial Lunar Eclipse
Sept. 17 – Full Corn Moon
Sept. 23 to Dec. 8 – Southern Taurids Meteor Shower
Sept. 26 to Nov. 22 – Orionids Meteor Shower
October
Oct. 2 – Annual Solar Eclipse
Oct. 2 – Micro New Moon
Oct. 5 to Dec. 31 – Venus at its brightest in the evening sky
Oct. 12 – Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS makes closest pass to Earth
Oct. 13 to Dec. 2 – Northern Taurids Meteor Shower
Oct. 15 to Dec. 21 – Uranus at its brightest in the evening sky
Oct. 17 – Super Full Hunter’s Moon
November
Nov. 1 – New Moon
Nov. 3 to Dec. 2 – Leonids Meteor Shower
Nov. 14 to Dec. 28 – Jupiter at its brightest
Nov. 15 – Full Beaver Moon
Nov. 19 to Dec. 24 – Geminids Meteor Shower
December
Dec. 13- Dec. 24: Ursids Meteor Shower
Dec. 15 - Full Cold Mon
Dec. 18 to Dec. 31 - Mercury at its brightest in the morning sky
Dec. 30 - New Moon
Dec. 31 - Mars at its brightest in the night sky
Where is the best place to view celestial events?
According to NASA, the best places to sky watch are found away from urban areas where light pollution hinders viewers’ ability to see fainter stars, planets and other objects. Open areas such as large fields, valleys, hiking trails and camping sites. However, be sure to ensure your safety before stargazing in a secluded area.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Check out these celestial events in 2024 in Oklahoma