International Astronomy Day: Top 10 stunning celestial events to see in 2023
International Astronomy Day is observed twice a year, near the first quarter moon of spring and fall — this year on April 29th and October 9. This is a day when astronomy enthusiasts may get together and exchange their expertise and opinions.
Doug Berger, the then-president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California, established International Astronomy Day in 1973. He planned to get individuals in metropolitan regions keen on space science. Berger intended to spark public interest in astronomy and provide more opportunities for people to learn about it. To do this, he set up telescopes that individuals could use to appreciate looking at space. Since then, the event has grown in popularity and received support from museums, space agencies, and educational institutions. Many celestial events have already happened between Jan 2023 to April 2023, but there are many more yet to come. Here are the 10 most stunning celestial events you can look forward to in for the rest of the year.
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April 15 to May 27: Eta Aquarid meteors
According to NASA, Eta Aquarid meteors can fly at speeds of up to 148,000 miles per hour into the Earth's atmosphere. The constellation Aquarius is their radiant, or the point from where they appear.
The Eta Aquarids will peak this year on the night of May 5 to May 6. The full moon will emerge on May 5, 2023, but don't let it stop you. A large outburst with meteors falling at twice their normal rate is possible. These meteors are best observed in the Southern Hemisphere, but they can be seen north of the equator at a rate of 10 to 30 per hour under excellent conditions.
Venus at greatest eastern elongation, June 4
The hottest planet in the solar system is also the brightest when seen from Earth, earning it the moniker of morning or evening star. Venus will be visible for the first time in 2023 when it is at its greatest eastern elongation. Look for it just after the sun sets in the west.
July 14 to September 1: Perseid meteor shower
The Perseid meteor shower is one of the most spectacular celestial events of the year. At rates of 50 to 100 per hour, bright, frequent meteors with extended tails will light up the sky. The shower occurs as Earth travels through debris left behind by the Swift-Tuttle comet, and it peaks as Earth passes through the densest section. The Perseid meteor shower coincided with the full moon last year, making some shooting stars impossible to spot. This year, though, the shower will peak two days before the new moon on August 11 and 12.
Royal Museums Greenwich suggests going to a dark environment and giving your eyes 15 minutes to adjust, which includes taking a break from checking your phone.
Delta Aquarids meteor shower, July 28-29
The Delta Aquarids are best seen from the Southern Hemisphere, but skywatchers in high northern latitudes tend to overlook them. However, in ideal conditions — that is, with a dark sky and no moon — the southernmost parts of the United States can see 15 to 20 meteors.
Saturn at opposition, August 27
When a planet's orbit brings it between the sun and another planet, it is known as planetary opposition. Saturn will achieve opposition in this situation when it is directly opposite the sun in the sky. Planetary oppositions occur once a year between Earth and the planets outside its orbit, namely Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Saturn will be closest to Earth — at perigee — at the same time it is in opposition, making it look brighter and larger in the sky and excellent for viewing.
August 31: A super blue moon
If you look at the sky on the night of August 31 may see that the full moon shows up somewhat bigger and more splendid than expected. This is because the moon will be closest to Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it a supermoon. This year, four supermoons will emerge in a row: on July 3, August 1, August 31, and September 29. Because August has two full moons, the second is referred to as a blue moon. Blue moons occur every 2.5 years, with the most recent one occurring in August 2021.
September 26 to November 22: Orionids
The Orionids are not as powerful as the Perseids or the Geminids, but they are still worth observing. According to EarthSky’s Deborah Byrd, watchers in a dark location can see 10 to 20 meteors per hour at the shower's peak, which occurs around the morning of October 22.
October 14: Annular solar eclipse
An annular solar eclipse will be seen from the southern United States in mid-October. When the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, a solar eclipse occurs. However, because the moon will not completely obscure the sun this year, a dazzling glowing circle, or "ring of fire," will be visible from certain locations. According to Space.com's Dobrijevic and Joe Rao, an annular solar eclipse can last up to 12 minutes and 30 seconds, however, the greatest length in the United States this year is roughly five minutes.
According to NASA, the annular eclipse will begin in Oregon at 9.13 am Pacific Daylight Time and will cover numerous states before concluding in Texas at 12.03 pm Central Daylight Time. Outside this narrow path, people will miss the ring-shaped eclipse, but they can see a partial eclipse if the weather cooperates. When viewing a solar eclipse, always wear eye protection.
October 28: Partial lunar eclipse
A total lunar eclipse happens when the Earth's shadow completely obscures the moon's surface, whereas a partial eclipse occurs when the moon passes only partially through the Earth's dark shadow or umbra. A penumbral lunar eclipse is a more mild type of eclipse that happens when the Earth's fainter outer shadow, known as the penumbra, is thrown on the moon.
The penumbral eclipse will be visible only on the East Coast of the United States. The moon will be below the horizon throughout the duration of the partial eclipse, which begins at 3.35 pm Eastern Daylight Time and ends at 4.52 pm. However, if you look closely, you may be able to see the Earth's faint penumbra.
November 19 to December 24: Geminid meteor shower
The Geminids are another fan favorite and one of the year's final meteor showers. According to NASA, these meteors may travel 78,000 miles per hour, which is more than 40 times quicker than a racing bullet.
The Geminids, unlike many other showers, are caused by a stony astronomical object known as an asteroid rather than an icy comet. Scientists aren't sure how the asteroid, named Phaethon, might cause a meteor shower, but according to NASA, it could be a dead comet or a comet that has lost its icy coating.