Today, keeping our tradition, we are introducing to you the most notable upcoming astronomical events in 2022. The list gives memorable astronomical events, including eclipses, meteor showers, moon phases, and planets’ motions.
Earthshine Nights
Earthshine is caused by the Sun’s light bouncing off the Earth’s surface and back onto the Moon, and it creates a dull glow on the unlit section of the Moon, lighting the previously dark area. The paradox is also known as the “Da Vinci glow,” after Leonardo da Vinci, who documented it for the first time in human chronology. The ideal time to observe earthshine in 2022 is a few days within a week of the New Moons on April 30 and May 30.
A Planetary Trio
From Earth, the stars seem to be somewhat static; nevertheless, the planets of our solar system appear to be dancing across the night sky at various times of the year. Keep your eyes peeled for this tri-planetary waltz on the southeastern sky just before sunrise in late March to early April: Venus, Mars, and Saturn will form an exceptionally tight grouping in the sky before dawn.
Partial Solar Eclipse
The Moon only partially covers the Sun during a partial solar eclipse, which might seem like a cookie bite cut out of the sky on certain occasions. In order to safely see a partial solar eclipse, you must use a specific solar filter or stare at the Sun’s reflection. This year’s first eclipse is observable on April 30 in southern South America, Antarctica, and the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. This year, the second one may be seen from most of Europe, the Middle East, northern Africa, and western Asia.
Meteor Showers
Meteor showers seem to arouse more public attention than other astronomical events observable throughout the year. A meteor shower is called for the constellation in which its radiant is located, rather than the parent object. Regardless of how high the shower’s radiant is, the more meteors it makes can be seen in any part of the sky. The significant meteor showers for 2022:
- Eta Aquariids on May 6
- Tau Herculids on May 31
- Delta Aquariids on July 30
- Orionids on October 21
- Leonids on November 19
- Ursids on December 22
Total Lunar Eclipse
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely passes through the dark shadow cast by the Earth’s atmosphere. The Moon will gradually darken throughout this eclipse, eventually taking on a rusty or blood-red tone. Only those rays of the Sun that travel through Earth’s dusty atmosphere will be reflected by the Moon. The eclipse will be seen in the Americas, Europe, and Africa on May 16 (total duration: 1 hour and 25 minutes). The year will conclude with a second complete lunar eclipse, beginning about 3 a.m. Eastern time on November 8.
Supermoon
The Moon will reach its full phase at 2:38 p.m. EDT (1838 GMT) and will approach its closest point to Earth on June 14, 2022, at a distance of 221,994 miles (357,264 km), nine hours and 37 minutes sooner. The Moon may look up to 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter to watchers on Earth. Historically, this full Moon was called the Strawberry Moon by early Native American tribes because it heralded the time when ripening fruit might be gathered.
Planetary Parade
In mid-to-late June, the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn align in a stunning row above the North American sky, enabling early risers to observe a rare alignment of planets. Take a glance to the southeast horizon in the early twilight for the most significant possibility of seeing all five planets in one night sky. Most mornings, the lineup will be completed by a crescent-waning moon. The fact that they can all be seen with the naked eye is outstanding. With a telescope and little light pollution, you may be able to view Uranus, the sixth planet. It’s higher in the night sky than Venus and appears as a brilliant green dot.
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