2025: A Year of Celestial Wonders
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Get ready for a year of breathtaking celestial events! 2025 promises a breathtaking lineup of astronomical phenomena visible from various locations across the globe, including the United States. From planetary parades to lunar and solar eclipses, stargazers are in for a treat.
January 20-21: Planetary Parade
The year kicks off with a rare celestial alignment! On January 20th and 21st, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus will appear to line up in the sky. While four of these planets are easily visible to the naked eye, “However, only four planets can be seen with the naked eye, namely Venus, mars, Jupiter and Saturn,” notes Gerhana Puan Nandra Putri, Researcher at the Space Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), in a recent YouTube presentation. This is a truly special event,as observing these planets together usually requires viewing them at different times.
March 14: Total Lunar Eclipse
Mark your calendars! On March 14th, a total lunar eclipse will grace the night sky. This occurs when the Moon passes completely into Earth’s umbra, or dark shadow. During this event, the Moon will darken and take on a striking reddish hue, often referred to as a “blood moon.” This eclipse will be visible across North America,Mexico,Central America,and South America,offering a spectacular show for millions.
March 29: Partial Solar Eclipse
Later in March, a partial solar eclipse will occur.This happens when the Moon partially obscures the Sun, creating a unique “bite” out of the solar disk. Remember,it’s crucial to use proper eye protection,such as certified solar viewing glasses,when observing a solar eclipse. This partial eclipse will be visible across Greenland and much of northern Europe and northern Russia, with Canada experiencing the most critically important coverage at 93%.
September 7: Total Lunar Eclipse
Another total lunar eclipse will occur on September 7th, visible across Asia and Australia, and also central and eastern parts of Europe and africa. This offers another possibility to witness the captivating sight of a blood moon.
September 21: Partial Solar Eclipse
The year concludes with a final partial solar eclipse on September 21st. This event will primarily be visible in New Zealand, Antarctica, and the southern Pacific ocean, with New zealand experiencing the best viewing conditions at 76% coverage.
Remember to check local astronomy resources for precise viewing times and locations for each event in your area. Enjoy the celestial show!
2025: A Year of Skywatching Spectacles?
Get ready! 2025 promises a multitude of celestial events, from stunning planetary alignments to captivating lunar and solar eclipses. We spoke with Dr. Helen Chandra, a renowned astrophysicist specializing in planetary and lunar phenomena, about what stargazers can anticipate in the coming year.
Setting the Stage: A Rare Planetary Alignment in January
World Today News Senior editor: Dr. Chandra, the article mentions a very special planetary alignment early in 2025. Could you tell us more about it?
Dr. Chandra: Absolutely! On January 20th and 21st, we’re going to witness a lovely alignment of Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and uranus in the night sky.
While Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are readily visible to the naked eye, spotting Uranus will require a bit more effort – a good pair of binoculars should do the trick.
This type of alignment where all five planets are visible together is quite uncommon, making it a truly remarkable event.
The Eclipses: Total Lunar and Partial Solar events
World Today news Senior Editor: Besides this planetary parade, there’s quite a bit of eclipse activity mentioned in 2025.
Dr. chandra: That’s right! We’re in for a treat with two total lunar eclipses and two partial solar eclipses throughout the year.
World Today News Senior Editor:
Let’s start with the lunar eclipses. Can you explain what causes them, and where will they be visible?
Dr. Chandra: Basically, a total lunar eclipse happens when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow wholly onto the lunar surface. During this eclipse, the Moon takes on a reddish hue, ofen referred to as a “blood moon,” because some sunlight is bent through Earth’s atmosphere and reaches the Moon.
The first one will be visible across North and South America on March 14th, and then later, on September 7th, it will be visible over Asia, Australia, and parts of Europe and Africa.
World Today News Senior Editor: And the solar eclipses?
Dr. Chandra: The partial solar eclipses occur when the Moon partially covers the Sun.
On March 29th, it will primarily be visible in Greenland and parts of northern Europe and Russia, with Canada experiencing the greatest coverage.
Later on,on September 21st,the partial solar eclipse will be best seen in New Zealand,the southern Pacific Ocean,and Antarctica.
Remember, it’s crucial to never look directly at the Sun during a partial solar eclipse without proper eye protection, such as certified solar viewing glasses.
Catching the Celestial Show:
World Today News Senior Editor: Would you say 2025 will be a particularly great year for amateur astronomers?
Dr. Chandra:* I would definitely say so! there’s an array of wondrous celestial events happening,offering opportunities for both seasoned skywatchers and beginners to marvel at the beauty of our universe. I encourage everyone to mark their calendars, do some research on viewing locations and times, and enjoy the stunning show that the sky has to offer in 2025!
