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Astronomical Events 2024

17 events including eclipses, solstices, equinoxes, and meteor showers.

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January 2024

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Quadrantids

The Quadrantids are one of the strongest annual meteor showers, producing up to 110 meteors per hour at their peak. Best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere in the hours before dawn.

Jan 3
00:00 UTC

March 2024

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March Equinox

The March (vernal) equinox marks the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward. Day and night are approximately equal in length worldwide.

Mar 20
03:06 UTC

April 2024

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Total Solar Eclipse

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely blocks the Sun, revealing the solar corona. The path of totality is a narrow band across Earth's surface.

Apr 8
18:17 UTC
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Lyrids

The Lyrids are one of the oldest recorded meteor showers, with observations dating back 2,700 years. They produce bright, fast meteors that occasionally leave persistent trains.

Apr 22
00:00 UTC

May 2024

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Eta Aquariids

The Eta Aquariids are produced by debris from Halley's Comet. They are best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere and tropical latitudes, producing fast meteors with persistent trains.

May 5
00:00 UTC

June 2024

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June Solstice

The June solstice marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest in the Southern Hemisphere. The Sun reaches its highest point in the sky.

Jun 20
20:50 UTC

July 2024

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Delta Aquariids

The Southern Delta Aquariids produce steady rates of faint meteors over several weeks. Best viewed from southern latitudes where the radiant climbs higher in the sky.

Jul 30
00:00 UTC

August 2024

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Perseids

The Perseids are the most popular meteor shower of the year, producing up to 100 bright meteors per hour including many fireballs. Best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere during warm summer nights.

Aug 12
00:00 UTC

September 2024

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Partial Lunar Eclipse

A partial lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon. Part of the Moon enters Earth's umbral shadow.

Sep 18
02:44 UTC
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September Equinox

The September (autumnal) equinox marks the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving southward. Day and night are approximately equal in length worldwide.

Sep 22
12:43 UTC

October 2024

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Annular Solar Eclipse

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is too far from Earth to completely cover the Sun, creating a bright ring (annulus) of sunlight.

Oct 2
18:44 UTC
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Draconids

The Draconids are unusual because they are best viewed in the early evening rather than after midnight. They are typically modest but can produce rare outbursts of hundreds of meteors per hour.

Oct 8
00:00 UTC
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Orionids

The Orionids are the second meteor shower caused by debris from Halley's Comet. They produce fast, bright meteors that often leave persistent trains visible for several seconds.

Oct 21
00:00 UTC

November 2024

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Leonids

The Leonids are known for producing spectacular meteor storms approximately every 33 years. In typical years they produce fast, bright meteors with a modest hourly rate.

Nov 17
00:00 UTC

December 2024

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Geminids

The Geminids are the strongest and most reliable annual meteor shower, producing up to 150 multicoloured meteors per hour. Unusually, they originate from an asteroid rather than a comet.

Dec 13
00:00 UTC
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December Solstice

The December solstice marks the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest in the Southern Hemisphere. The Sun reaches its lowest point in the sky.

Dec 21
09:20 UTC
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Ursids

The Ursids are a modest shower best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere. They peak near the December solstice and occasionally produce short bursts of 25+ meteors per hour.

Dec 22
00:00 UTC