Anticipating the Spectacular: Witnessing the Total Solar Eclipse, Full Moons, and Meteor Showers in 2024
Don't miss the celestial spectacles of 2024! Witness breathtaking full moons, supermoons, meteor showers, and rare solar and lunar eclipses Keep your eyes on the night sky for an unforgettable experience
Experience the wonders of the universe by signing up for CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter. Stay informed about fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements, and more. In 2024, the night sky will offer a multitude of delights for stargazers.
The sky will be illuminated by full moons and meteor showers, while an anticipated increase in solar activity could lead to vibrant auroras. Eclipse enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting 2024 for a total solar eclipse that will traverse the United States. Additionally, there will be ample chances to observe various planets and catch a glimpse of the International Space Station during its orbits around Earth.
Keep your telescopes and binoculars at the ready, and dont forget to snag a pair of eclipse glasses so you can safely watch the total solar eclipse.
Full moons and supermoons
A supermoon can be seen rising over the Cuatro Torres business area in Madrid on August 1, 2023.
Javier Soriano/AFP/Getty Images
Twelve full moons will occur during 2024, and September and Octobers lunar events will also be considered supermoons, according to EarthSky.
A supermoon is typically defined as a full moon that is closer to Earth than usual, resulting in a larger and brighter appearance in the night sky. Astronomers suggest that this occurs when the moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth in orbit, known as perigee.
According to the Farmers Almanac, each month's full moon is associated with a specific name. However, different indigenous tribes have their own set of names and meanings for the full moons.
Here are the full moons of 2024:
January 25: Wolf moon
February 24: Snow moon
March 25: Worm moon
April 23: Pink moon
May 23: Flower moon
June 21: Strawberry moon
July 21: Buck moon
August 19: Sturgeon moon
September 17: Harvest moon
October 17: Hunters moon
November 15: Beaver moon
December 15: Cold moon
Solar and lunar eclipses
The moon crosses in front of the sun during the October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse over Albuquerque.
Sam Wasson/Getty Images
Multiple eclipses will occur in 2024, including two types of lunar eclipses and two types of solar eclipses, according to the Old Farmers Almanac.
On April 8, the total solar eclipse will be the most eagerly awaited event, visible to people in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. A total solar eclipse happens when the moon comes between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun's face completely.
Those within the path of totality, where the moon's shadow completely covers the sun, will witness a total solar eclipse. People outside this path will still catch a glimpse of a partial solar eclipse, where the moon only partially obscures the sun's face.
The next total solar eclipse visible across the contiguous US won't happen until August 2044. Meanwhile, an annular solar eclipse is set to occur in the sky on October 2 over parts of South America. This type of eclipse is similar to a total solar eclipse, but the moon is at its farthest point from Earth, so it can't fully block the sun, creating a "ring of fire" effect as the sun's fiery light surrounds the moon's shadow.
Between March 24-25, a penumbral lunar eclipse will be visible across Europe, North and East Asia, Australia, Africa, North America and South America. During a lunar eclipse, the moon appears dark or dimmed due to the alignment of the sun, Earth and moon, causing the moon to pass into Earth's shadow. A penumbral lunar eclipse is a more subtle event, occurring when the moon moves through the outer shadow, or penumbra, of the Earth.
A penumbral lunar eclipse, happening when the Earth moves between the sun and the full moon without direct alignment, is set to be visible over Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America on September 17-18.
Visit the Time and Dates website for specifics on when and where each of these eclipses will be visible.
Solar activity and auroras
The sun is expected to reach solar maximum, or the peak of its 11-year cycle of activity, in mid-to-late 2024.
When the sun is active, it releases powerful solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which are large clouds of ionized gas called plasma and magnetic fields that erupt from the sun's outer atmosphere. These solar storms can impact electric power grids, GPS and aviation, as well as satellites in low-Earth orbit. They can also cause radio blackouts and pose risks for crewed space missions.
The Space Weather Prediction Center, operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Boulder, Colorado, will closely monitor the sun and provide warnings and predictions about solar activity that could affect Earth. Scientists are excited to observe the sun during April's total solar eclipse, as they anticipate learning more about its activity.
The heightened solar activity also gives rise to a more positive outcome, which is the mesmerizing display of auroras that illuminate the Earth's poles - commonly referred to as the northern lights (aurora borealis) and the southern lights (aurora australis).
The northern lights danced in the skies over Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, on December 15.
Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
When energized particles from coronal mass ejections intersect with Earth's magnetic field, they produce vibrant, multicolored lights in the atmosphere known as auroras.
In 2023, geomagnetic storms triggered by the sun resulted in auroras being visible in unusual locations such as New Mexico, Missouri, North Carolina, and California in the United States, as well as in the southeast of England and other regions of the United Kingdom.
Depending on the location, the auroras may not always be visible overhead, but they create a colorful display on the horizon.
Meteor showers
A long exposure photo shows the Perseid meteor shower over Red Church and Guzelyurt Monastery Valley in Turkey on August 12, 2023.
The new year starts off with an almost immediate meteor shower. According to EarthSky, the Quadrantid meteor shower is projected to reach its peak between January 3-4. Following the Quadrantids, there will be a lull in meteor shower activity, with the next one not expected until April. However, there are a number of celestial events to look forward to during this extended period.
Here is the full list of meteor showers occurring in 2024, according to the American Meteor Society.
Quadrantids: January 3-4
Lyrids: April 21-22
Eta Aquariids: May 4-5
Southern delta Aquariids: July 30-31
Alpha Capricornids: July 30-31
Perseids: August 12-13
Draconids: October 7-8
Orionids: October 21-22
Southern Taurids: November 5-6
Northern Taurids: November 11-12
Leonids: November 17-18
Geminids: December 13-14
Ursids: December 21-22
