Monthly Stargazing Calendar for October 2022
Like last month, this will be an eventful one, including several meteor showers and a partial solar eclipse. Take a look at all of these astronomical events that await us this month in this stargazing calendar for October 2022.
Monthly Stargazing Calendar for September 2022
After a long hiatus, we at CosmoBC decided to bring back the monthly stargazing calendar. We hope to help you keep track of the best astronomical events you may wish to observe in the night sky this coming month of September.
Monthly Stargazing Calendar for May 2016
Early this month on the night of May 5 and 6 the Eta Aquarids meteor shower will peak. It is an above average shower, capable of producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak, however most of the activity will be seen in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, the rate can reach only about 30 meteors per hour.
Monthly Stargazing Calendar for April 2016
On the night of April 22 and 23 the Lyrids meteor shower will peak. It is an average shower, usually producing about 20 meteors per hour at its peak, although some meteors may be seen any time from April 16 to 25. It originates from dust particles left behind by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which was discovered in 1861.
Monthly Stargazing Calendar for January 2016
On the night of January 3 and 4 the Quadrantids meteor shower will peak. It is an above average shower, with up to 40 meteors per hour at peak, although some meteors can be visible between January 1 and 5. The meteors originate from dust grains left behind by an extinct comet known as 2003 EH1, which was discovered in 2003.
Monthly Stargazing Calendar for December 2015
On the night of December 13 and 14 the Geminids meteor shower will peak. It is considered by many to be the best shower in the heavens, producing up to 120 multicolored meteors per hour at its peak. This is why it is known as the king of meteor showers. Some meteors can also be seen anytime from December 7 to 17.
Monthly Stargazing Calendar for November 2015
On the night of November 5 and 6 we will witness the peak of the Taurids meteor shower. It is a long-running minor meteor shower producing only about 5-10 meteors per hour at peak, while some meteors can also be seen from September 7 to December 10. However it is unusual in that it consists of two separate streams. The first is produced by dust grains left behind by Asteroid 2004 TG10. The second one is produced by debris left behind by Comet 2P Encke.
Monthly Stargazing Calendar for October 2015
On October 8 we will witness the Draconids meteor shower. It is a minor meteor shower producing only about 10 meteors per hour originating from dust grains left behind by comet 21P Giacobini-Zinner, which was first discovered in 1900. The Draconids is an unusual shower in that the best viewing is in the early evening instead of early morning like most other showers.
Monthly Stargazing Calendar for August 2015
This month on the night of August 12 and 13 we will witness the Perseids meteor shower, which is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. Some meteors can also be seen from July 17 to August 24. It originates from debris produced by comet Swift-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1862.
Monthly Stargazing Calendar for July 2015
On July 14 NASA's New Horizons spacecraft is scheduled to arrive at Pluto after a nine and a half year journey. It was launched on January 19, 2006 and will be the first spacecraft to visit Pluto. New Horizons will give us our first close-up views of the dwarf planet and its moons.
Monthly Stargazing Calendar for May 2015
Early this month, on the night of May 5th and 6th we will witness the peak of the Eta Aquarids meteor shower. It is an above average shower, capable of producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. However most of the meteors can be seen in the Southern Hemisphere. For the rest of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the rate can reach about 30 meteors per hour.
Monthly Stargazing Calendar for October 2014
On October 8 we will witness a total lunar eclipse. Such an eclipse occurs when the Moon passes completely through the Earth's dark shadow, or umbra. The Moon will gradually get darker and then take on a rusty or blood red color. The eclipse will be visible throughout most of North America, South America, eastern Asia, and Australia.