Jakarta –
What are the celestial phenomena of 2024? Astronomers have noted a number of night sky moments this year that shouldn’t be missed.
A team of astronomers at the Royal Observatory Greenwich discovered that there are various astronomical views in the night sky in 2024. Reported by the Royal Museum Greenwich, some of them include the oldest meteor shower, including the Andromeda galaxy.
Quoted from Smithsonian Magazine, sky observers can also see a total solar eclipse and a partial lunar eclipse. Here’s the list.
Sky Phenomenon 2024
Venus and Mercury
Both planets are bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. However, the best viewing time is when Venus or Mercury is farthest from the Sun. That way, the two planets may still be above the horizon when the Sun has set and will no longer dazzle the view around them.
Venus itself does not reach its greatest eastern or western elongation in 2024. However, the best views of this “morning and evening star” can still be seen in January before sunrise or in December after sunset.
Meanwhile, to see Mercury, look for its greatest elongation. Do this for the western part in the morning around January 12, May 9 and September 5 2024. Meanwhile, the eastern part of the extension will be visible in the evening, around March 24, July 22 and November 16 2024.
Astronomers warn, don’t look directly at the Sun. If observing with a telescope or binoculars, wait until after sunset or before sunrise.
Another Galaxy
The new moon on March 10 2024 can be used to search for celestial objects in the cosmos. After sunset, look northwest. The Andromeda Galaxy will be visible near the constellations Andromeda and Cassiopeia.
The Andromeda Galaxy is the closest galaxy to the Milky Way. This galaxy can be seen with the naked eye or with the help of binoculars in dark areas far from city lights.
Total Solar Eclipse
The Moon will pass directly between the Earth and the Sun on April 8, 2024. The Moon completely blocking the Sun will produce a total solar eclipse. Use eclipse glasses or other eye protection to observe this phenomenon.
When this phenomenon occurs, the sky will become dark. The 2024 total solar eclipse is expected to last longer than the 2017 phenomenon, namely 4 minutes at most.
Oldest Meteor Shower
The Lyrids meteor shower will be visible throughout April 14-30 2023. The peak of this meteor shower will take place on April 22-23 2024.
The best time to see the Lyrids is around April 23 2024, weather permitting. This is because rainfall in 2024 is predicted to reach its maximum during the full moon. Therefore, Moonlight can affect vision.
This meteor shower is the oldest meteor shower that is still visible today. This meteor shower was first recorded in 687 BC.
The Lyrids were sourced from Thatcher’s Comet C/1861 G1. This comet orbits the Sun once every 415 years.
Meteor Shower in the Constellation Aquarius
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower originates from the famous Halley’s Comet. This comet is visible from Earth once every 75-76 years.
This meteor shower takes place between 19 April-28 May 2024. The peak of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower takes place around 6 May 2024. The speed is up to 50 meteors per hour.
The good news is that this rain will be more visible in the Southern Hemisphere. Look east to see the star Eta Aquarid in the constellation Aquarius.
Fast, Bright, Perseid Meteor Shower Plus Fireballs
The Perseid meteor shower will be active between 17 July-24 August 2024. Its peak is expected to occur on 12-13 August 2024.
The bright meteors and high hourly speed make the Perseid meteor shower often looked forward to. The peak of this meteor shower can reach speeds of 100 meteors per hour, with the bonus of seeing fireballs.
Look for dark spots in the sky to see some Perseid meteors. The Perseids will appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus. This rain originates from the debris flow of the Great Comet of 1862, namely comet Swift-Tuttle.
Partial Lunar Eclipse
A partial lunar eclipse will appear around September 17 2024. Observation does not require protective glasses.
Planets in Space
Four planets will be in opposition in 2024, namely Saturn, Neptune, Uranus and Jupiter. In opposition, the planet is located opposite the Sun in the sky. Therefore, these planets will be fully illuminated by the Sun so that they appear the brightest.
This astrophotography moment has the potential to be captured by the lens. Saturn itself moves into opposition on September 8 2024, Neptune on September 21 2024, Uranus on November 17 2024, and Jupiter on December 7 2024.
Komet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS
Astronomers estimate that Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (A3) can be seen with the naked eye and will pass close to the Earth and the Sun in the fall of 2024.
This comet will pass closest to the Sun on September 28 2024. Meanwhile, with Earth, comet A3 is expected to be closest on October 12 2024.
Super Fast Meteor Shower
This meteor shower will rain up to around 25 meteors per hour and pass very quickly. The Orionid meteor shower peaks around the evening of October 21, 2024.
To see this meteor shower, look for a bright streak of light in the sky. This meteor also originates from small grains of Halley’s Comet which hit the Earth’s atmosphere.
Supermoon
Supermoon aka super full moon at perigee will appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than the full moon at apogee. Supermoons will appear on September 18 2024 and October 17 2024.
The moon revolves around the Earth in an elliptical or oval orbit. This means, the Moon moves from its closest distance to humans (perigee) to its furthest distance from humans (apogee). When the full Moon or new Moon is at the perigee point, a Supermoon occurs.
Seven Sisters Star Cluster
The Pleiades star cluster can be observed throughout November 2024. This open star cluster with bright blue light in the constellation Taurus can be seen with the naked eye or with the help of binoculars.
This star cluster is also called the seven sister star cluster because its seven stars are the brightest and can be seen directly. However, there are actually more than 1,000 stars that make up it.
The Pleiades are about 100 million years old. This means that dinosaurs were still alive when these stars formed.
Raining 150 Meteors Per Hour
The Geminid meteor shower can be active with up to 150 meteors per hour on December 4-20 2024. The large number and longer passing duration per meteor make this meteor shower one of the best sky shows of 2024.
However, in 2024, the peak is expected to be at the full moon on December 14-15. This causes the Moon’s light to obscure the view of the meteor shower.
Watch the video “Seeing the Beauty of the Rising Supermoon from the Ancient Greek Temple of Poseidon”
(twu/nah)
2024-01-04 11:00:48
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