Stargazing calendar 2021: eclipses, meteoric moods and other astronomical events this year

Break out the telescope and stretch your neck, because another year of stargazing is at hand.

Two lunar eclipses, good summer rainfall and a close planetary connection highlight the stargazing calendar in 2021, which would otherwise be relatively quiet.

In the absence of major events, such as the historic great collaboration at the end of 2020 or the coming total lunar eclipse of 2024, the astronomical calendar still has plenty to offer amateur and experienced astronomers.

The big event in 2021 will be the supermoon’s total lunar eclipse, which will be visible in the early morning hours of May 26 above the Northwest Pacific. The moon will not only look bigger in the sky, but also a red color like the earth’s. shadow is about it.

It also promises a good year for the Perseid meteor shower in August, which will coincide with a new moon that darkens the sky enough to see a good performance. The shower will reach a beautiful time of year in the Northwest on August 12 and 13.

And while there is no great collaboration this year, there will be a close collaboration between Mars and Venus on July 13, which is an excellent excuse to break out of the telescope under bright summer skies.

This is what you need to keep in mind when looking at the sky in 2021:

JAN. 2-3

Quadrant Meteor Shower

The meteor shower in early winter will not offer much of those in the Northwest Pacific. Apart from possible cloud cover, the waning moon will have a harder time seeing the meteors during the peak of the meteor shower, which will be about 25 per hour under dark skies. It is possible to see closer to the end of the shower on January 12th.

APRIL 23-24

Lyrid Meteor Shower

The conditions will not be optimal for the peak of this year’s Lyrids meteorite mood, with a hazy moon hanging bright in the sky. The Lyrids are known for their fast and clear meteors, but they usually count only about 20 per hour. Some may be visible at the start of the meteor shower on April 14th.

APRIL 27

Supermoon

A ‘supermoon’ is a term used for a full moon that is close to its nearest earth and looks larger and brighter than normal. The April supermoon will be the first of two in 2021 (a third on June 24 is also considered by some to be close enough to be considered ‘super’).

MAY 6-7

Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower

The Eta Aquarids are best seen from the southern tropics, and usually produce 10 to 30 meteors per hour at their peak for those in the northern hemisphere. A crescent moon during the peak of the meteor shower this year will allow darker skies.

MAY 26

Supermoon Total lunar eclipse

The astronomical event of the year for the tent will be a lunar eclipse that overlaps with the second ‘supermoon’ of the year. See if the full moon turns red when the shadow of the earth falls over it.

JUNE 10

Annular solar eclipse

It is not a total solar eclipse and it will not be visible from the Northwest Pacific Ocean, but the annular solar eclipse – where a smaller moon blocks only part of the sun and creates a fire ring effect – will be visible be in the northeastern United States and part of the Midwest.

JULY 13

Merger of Mars and Venus

In summer, astronomers will be able to fit both Mars and Venus into a single telescope view, as they appear close to each other during a connection between the two planets. With a thin crescent moon and bright summer sky, it should be a great opportunity for stargazing in the Northwest of the Pacific Ocean.

JULY 28-29

Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower

Like the Eta Aquarids, the Delta Aquarids can best be seen from the southern hemisphere, giving a small shower in the north. A waning moon at its peak is likely to drown the minor meteors.

Alpha Capricornid Meteor Shower

The Alpha Capricornids are the same two nights as the Delta Aquarids, and thanks to the bright moon it will be a dull shower again. This shower is usually known for its bright fireballs and is equally visible on either side of the equator.

AUG. 12-13

Perseid Meteor Shower

One of the best meteor showers of the year, the Perseids promise to be a great show this year, with a new moon a few days before the downpour. Under dark skies, the Perseids usually count 50 to 75 per hour. Clear summer skies and warm temperatures make it a reliable opportunity.

AUG. 22

Blue Moon (seasonal)

We tend to think of a ‘blue moon’ as the second full moon that occurs within a single calendar month, but the term is also used for an extra full moon in a single season. Confusing is the third full moon in season, not the extra fourth, which is considered the blue moon. This year, the blue moon comes in the last third of summer.

OCT. 19-20

Orionid Meteor Shower

The Orionids usually produce 10 to 20 meteors per hour, although the numbers can rise to 75 in good years. This year does not look promising, as a full moon will drown most of the show.

NOV. 16-17

Leonid Meteor Shower

The Leonids are litter of comet 55P / Temple Tuttle, known for irregular eruptions of activity, most recently in 2001. There are no major Leonids events until 2099 and no good moods until about 2030, although the shower is still still yielding peaks of about 15 meteors per hour. This year’s highlight will be drowned by an almost full moon.

NOV. 19

Partial lunar eclipse

Although technically not a total lunar eclipse, the partial eclipse will cover the earth’s shadow with a full 97% of the moon. The event will be visible to the entire US and will reach its maximum eclipse in the morning hours. The moon will be near its farthest point from the earth, so it will look a little smaller in the sky.

DES. 13-14

Geminid Meteor Shower

The strongest meteor shower of the year comes on the last autumn days, with a peak of up to 120 meteors per hour. The Northwest in the Pacific is usually a bad place to look for Geminids due to reliable clouds, and this year’s peak will be further hampered by a foggy moon. Stargazers who want to see the shower should go outside a few hours before dawn, or hope to be happy in the early days of the shower, which will be active between 4 and 20 December.

DES. 21-22

Ursid Meteor Shower

The Ursids meteorite mood is overshadowed by the Geminids and the holiday season. It concludes the year with a peak activity of about five to ten meteors per hour and runs from 17 to 26 December. Observers can see the meteors in the late morning hours. at the peak hours of 21 and 22 December, although an almost full moon can ruin your chances.

– Jamie Hale; [email protected]; 503-294-4077; @HaleJamesB