Comet 2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS), discovered in January 2023 by the Tsuchinshan Observatory and the ATLAS project, has reemerged from behind the Sun and is rapidly brightening. It is expected to become one of the brightest comets in recent years, with peak visibility between October 7 and 12, 2024, as it approaches Earth and the Sun.
The partial lunar eclipse of September 18, 2024, will be visible from several continents, including the Americas, Europe, and Africa. It is part of a series of astronomical phenomena in 2024 that will last more than four hours, with the partial phase beginning at 00:41 UTC and peaking at 02:44. During this period, a small piece of the Moon will pass through Earth’s umbral shadow, darkening around 8.5% of its surface.
The Eta Aquariids meteor shower is anticipated to reach its peak on May 5, 2024. Observers may witness an unusually high number of meteors this year, thanks to debris from Halley’s Comet ejected some 2 500 years ago and minimal lunar light interference, providing optimal viewing conditions.
On April 21, 2024, Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, commonly referred to as the ‘Devil Comet,’ will reach its perihelion, the closest point to the Sun, at a distance of 0.785 astronomical units (117 million km / 73 million miles). This celestial event will allow the comet to be visible just after sunset within the Taurus constellation, marking its peak visibility period.
A total solar eclipse dubbed the Great North American Eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, 2024, and be visible from parts of Mexico, the United States, and Canada. This is the first time a total eclipse of the Sun will be visible from the contiguous United States since 2017.
In a stellar event anticipated to occur between now and September 2024, the T Coronae Borealis (T CrB) star system, located 3 000 light-years away, is predicted to undergo a nova outburst, becoming visible to the unaided eye. This rare occurrence, last witnessed in 1946, will temporarily elevate the system’s brightness to match that of the North Star, offering a unique viewing opportunity.
An extremely rare celestial event will unfold at the beginning of next week as the main belt asteroid Leona transits in front of Betelgeuse, the famed red supergiant in the Orion constellation. This rare astronomical occurrence, observable from regions stretching from South Florida to Italy and Greece, will offer a unique spectacle where the luminous Betelgeuse may temporarily dim or even vanish from the night sky.
A partial lunar eclipse will be visible across the eastern Americas, Europe, Africa, Russia, Asia, Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica on October 28, 2023. The event will peak at 20:14 UTC and will be part of the Saros 146 series.
An annular solar eclipse will cross North, Central, and South America on October 14, 2023. Offering a “ring of fire” effect, this celestial event will be a sight for millions across the Western Hemisphere.
The penumbral lunar eclipse of May 5, 2023, will be visible from Africa, Asia, and Australia. This is the first of 2 lunar eclipses in 2023. It’s taking place 2 weeks after the hybrid solar eclipse of April 20, 2023.
