-
January 3, 4 - Quadrantids Meteor Shower.
The Quadrantids is an above average shower, with up to 40 meteors per
hour at its peak. It is thought to be produced by dust grains left
behind by an extinct comet known as 2003 EH1, which was discovered in
2003. The shower runs annually from January 1-5. It peaks this year on
the night of the 3rd and morning of the 4th. The first quarter moon
will set shortly after midnight leaving fairly dark skies for what could
be a good show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after
midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Bootes, but can
appear anywhere in the sky.
-
January 12 - Full Moon.
The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun
and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at
11:34 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as
the Full Wolf Moon because this was the time of year when hungry wolf
packs howled outside their camps. This moon has also been know as the
Old Moon and the Moon After Yule.
-
January 12 - Venus at Greatest Eastern Elongation.
The planet Venus reaches greatest eastern elongation of 47.1 degrees
from the Sun. This is the best time to view Venus since it will be at
its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. Look for the
bright planet in the western sky after sunset.
-
January 19 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation.
The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 24.1 degrees
from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at
its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for the
planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
-
January 28 - New Moon.
The Moon will located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will
not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 00:07 UTC. This
is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies
and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
-
February 11 - Full Moon.
The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun
and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at
00:33 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as
the Full Snow Moon because the heaviest snows usually fell during this
time of the year. Since hunting is difficult, this moon has also been
known by some tribes as the Full Hunger Moon, since the harsh weather
made hunting difficult.
-
February 11 - Penumbral Lunar Eclipse.
A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the
Earth's partial shadow, or penumbra. During this type of eclipse the
Moon will darken slightly but not completely. The eclipse will be
visible throughout most of eastern South America, eastern Canada, the
Atlantic Ocean, Europe, Africa, and western Asia. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information)
-
February 26 - New Moon.
The Moon will located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will
not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 14:59 UTC. This
is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies
and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
-
February 26 - Annular Solar Eclipse.
An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is too far away from the
Earth to completely cover the Sun. This results in a ring of light
around the darkened Moon. The Sun's corona is not visible during an
annular eclipse. The path of the eclipse will begin off the coast of
Chile and pass through southern Chile and southern Argentina, across the
southern Atlantic Ocean, and into Angola and Congo in Africa. A partial
eclipse will be visible throughout parts of southern South America and
southwestern Africa.
(NASA Map and Eclipse Information) (NASA Interactive Google Map)
-
March 12 - Full Moon.
The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun
and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at
14:54 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as
the Full Worm Moon because this was the time of year when the ground
would begin to soften and the earthworms would reappear. This moon has
also been known as the Full Crow Moon, the Full Crust Moon, the Full Sap
Moon, and the Lenten Moon.
- March 20 - March Equinox.
The March equinox occurs at 10:29 UTC. The Sun will shine directly on
the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night
throughout the world. This is also the first day of spring (vernal
equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of fall (autumnal
equinox) in the Southern Hemisphere.
-
March 28 - New Moon.
The Moon will located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will
not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 02:58 UTC. This
is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies
and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
-
April 1 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation.
The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 19 degrees
from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at
its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. Look for the
planet low in the western sky just after sunset.
-
April 7 - Jupiter at Opposition.
The giant planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face
will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other
time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the best
time to view and photograph Jupiter and its moons. A medium-sized
telescope should be able to show you some of the details in Jupiter's
cloud bands. A good pair of binoculars should allow you to see Jupiter's
four largest moons, appearing as bright dots on either side of the
planet.
-
April 11 - Full Moon.
The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun
and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at
06:08 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as
the Full Pink Moon because it marked the appearance of the moss pink, or
wild ground phlox, which is one of the first spring flowers. This moon
has also been known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Growing Moon, and
the Egg Moon. Many coastal tribes called it the Full Fish Moon because
this was the time that the shad swam upstream to spawn.
-
April 22, 23 - Lyrids Meteor Shower.
The Lyrids is an average shower, usually producing about 20 meteors per
hour at its peak. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet
C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which was discovered in 1861. The shower runs
annually from April 16-25. It peaks this year on the night of the night
of the 22nd and morning of the 23rd. These meteors can sometimes produce
bright dust trails that last for several seconds. The crescent moon
should not be too much of a problem this year. Skies should still be
dark enough for a good show. Best viewing will be from a dark location
after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Lyra, but
can appear anywhere in the sky.
-
April 26 - New Moon.
The Moon will located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will
not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 12:17 UTC. This
is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies
and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
-
May 6, 7 - Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower.
The Eta Aquarids is an above average shower, capable of producing up to
60 meteors per hour at its peak. Most of the activity is seen in the
Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, the rate can reach
about 30 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust particles left behind
by comet Halley, which has known and observed since ancient times. The
shower runs annually from April 19 to May 28. It peaks this year on the
night of May 6 and the morning of the May 7. The waxing gibbous moon
will block out many of the fainter meteors this year. But if you are
patient, you should be able to catch quite a few of the brighter ones.
Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will
radiate from the constellation Aquarius, but can appear anywhere in the
sky.
-
May 10 - Full Moon.
The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun
and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at
21:42 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as
the Full Flower Moon because this was the time of year when spring
flowers appeared in abundance. This moon has also been known as the Full
Corn Planting Moon and the Milk Moon.
-
May 17 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation.
The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 25.8 degrees
from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at
its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for the
planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
-
May 25 - New Moon.
The Moon will located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will
not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 19:45 UTC. This
is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies
and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
-
June 3 - Venus at Greatest Western Elongation.
The planet Venus reaches greatest eastern elongation of 45.9 degrees
from the Sun. This is the best time to view Venus since it will be at
its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for the
bright planet in the eastern sky before sunrise.
-
June 9 - Full Moon.
The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun
and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at
13:10 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as
the Full Strawberry Moon because it signaled the time of year to gather
ripening fruit. It also coincides with the peak of the strawberry
harvesting season. This moon has also been known as the Full Rose Moon
and the Full Honey Moon.
-
June 15 - Saturn at Opposition.
The ringed planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face
will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any
other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the
best time to view and photograph Saturn and its moons. A medium-sized or
larger telescope will allow you to see Saturn's rings and a few of its
brightest moons.
- June 21 - June Solstice.
The June solstice occurs at 04:24 UTC. The North Pole of the earth will
be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its northernmost
position in the sky and will be directly over the Tropic of Cancer at
23.44 degrees north latitude. This is the first day of summer (summer
solstice) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of winter (winter
solstice) in the Southern Hemisphere.
-
June 24 - New Moon.
The Moon will located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will
not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 02:31 UTC. This
is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies
and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
-
July 9 - Full Moon.
The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun
and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at
04:07 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as
the Full Buck Moon because the male buck deer would begin to grow their
new antlers at this time of year. This moon has also been known as the
Full Thunder Moon and the Full Hay Moon.
-
July 23 - New Moon.
The Moon will located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will
not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 09:46 UTC. This
is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies
and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
-
July 28, 29 - Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower.
The Delta Aquarids is an average shower that can produce up to 20
meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by debris left behind by
comets Marsden and Kracht. The shower runs annually from July 12 to
August 23. It peaks this year on the night of July 28 and morning of
July 29. The crescent moon will set by midnight, leaving dark skies for
what should be a good early morning show. Best viewing will be from a
dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the
constellation Aquarius, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
-
July 30 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation.
The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 27.2 degrees
from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at
its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. Look for the
planet low in the western sky just after sunset.
-
August 7 - Full Moon.
The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun
and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at
18:11 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as
the Full Sturgeon Moon because the large sturgeon fish of the Great
Lakes and other major lakes were more easily caught at this time of
year. This moon has also been known as the Green Corn Moon and the Grain
Moon.
- August 7 - Partial Lunar Eclipse.
A partial lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth's
partial shadow, or penumbra, and only a portion of it passes through
the darkest shadow, or umbra. During this type of eclipse a part of the
Moon will darken as it moves through the Earth's shadow. The eclipse
will be visible throughout most of eastern Africa, central Asia, the
Indian Ocean, and Australia. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information)
-
August 12, 13 - Perseids Meteor Shower.
The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up
to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by comet
Swift-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1862. The Perseids are famous for
producing a large number of bright meteors. The shower runs annually
from July 17 to August 24. It peaks this year on the night of August 12
and the morning of August 13. The waning gibbous moon will block out
many of the fainter meteors this year, but the Perseids are so bright
and numerous that it should still be a good show. Best viewing will be
from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the
constellation Perseus, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
-
August 21 - New Moon.
The Moon will located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will
not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 18:30 UTC. This
is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies
and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
-
August 21 - Total Solar Eclipse.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely blocks the Sun,
revealing the Sun's beautiful outer atmosphere known as the corona. This
is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime event for viewers in the
United States. The last total solar eclipse visible in the continental
United States occurred in 1979 and the next one will not take place
until 2024. The path of totality will begin in the Pacific Ocean and
travel through the center of the United States. The total eclipse will
be visible in parts of Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Missouri,
Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina before ending in
the Atlantic Ocean. A partial eclipse will be visible in most of North
America and parts of northern South America. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information | Detailed Zoomable Map of Eclipse Path)
- September 5 - Neptune at Opposition.
The blue giant planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its
face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any
other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the
best time to view and photograph Neptune. Due to its extreme distance
from Earth, it will only appear as a tiny blue dot in all but the most
powerful telescopes.
-
September 6 - Full Moon.
The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun
and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at
07:03 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as
the Full Corn Moon because the corn is harvested around this time of
year.
-
September 12 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation.
The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 17.9 degrees
from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at
its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for the
planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
-
September 20 - New Moon.
The Moon will located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will
not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 05:30 UTC. This
is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies
and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
- September 22 - September Equinox.
The September equinox occurs at 20:02 UTC. The Sun will shine directly
on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night
throughout the world. This is also the first day of fall (autumnal
equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of spring (vernal
equinox) in the Southern Hemisphere.
-
October 5 - Full Moon.
Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully
illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 18:40 UTC. This
full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Hunters
Moon because at this time of year the leaves are falling and the game is
fat and ready to hunt. This moon has also been known as the Travel Moon
and the Blood Moon. This moon is also known as the Harvest Moon. The
Harvest Moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the September
equinox each year.
-
October 7 - Draconids Meteor Shower.
The Draconids is a minor meteor shower producing only about 10 meteors
per hour. It is produced by 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. The shower runs
annually from October 6-10 and peaks this year on the the night of the
7th. Unfortunately, the nearly full moon will block all but the
brightest meteors this year. If you are extremely patient, you may be
able to catch a few good ones. Best viewing will be in the early evening
from a dark location far away from city lights. Meteors will radiate
from the constellation Draco, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
-
October 19 - New Moon.
The Moon will located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will
not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 19:12 UTC. This
is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies
and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
- October 19 - Uranus at Opposition.
The blue-green planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its
face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any
other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the
best time to view Uranus. Due to its distance, it will only appear as a
tiny blue-green dot in all but the most powerful telescopes.
-
October 21, 22 - Orionids Meteor Shower. The
Orionids is an average shower producing up to 20 meteors per hour at
its peak. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Halley,
which has been known and observed since ancient times. The shower runs
annually from October 2 to November 7. It peaks this year on the night
of October 21 and the morning of October 22. The crescent moon will set
early in the evening leaving dark skies for what should be a good show.
Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will
radiate from the constellation Orion, but can appear anywhere in the
sky.
-
November 4 - Full Moon.
The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun
and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at
05:23 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as
the Full Beaver Moon because this was the time of year to set the beaver
traps before the swamps and rivers froze. It has also been known as the
Frosty Moon and the Hunter's Moon.
-
November 4, 5 - Taurids Meteor Shower.
The Taurids is a long-running minor meteor shower producing only about
5-10 meteors per hour. 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 stream is produced by debris left behind by Comet
2P Encke. The shower runs annually from September 7 to December 10. It
peaks this year on the the night of November 4. Unfortunately the glare
from the full moon will block out all but the brightest meteors. If you
are extremely patient, you may still be able to catch a few good ones.
Best viewing will be just after midnight from a dark location far away
from city lights. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Taurus,
but can appear anywhere in the sky.
-
November 13 - Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter.
A spectacular conjunction of Venus and Jupiter will be visible in the
evening sky. The two bright planets will be extremely close, appearing
only 0.3 degrees apart. Look for this impressive pairing in the Eastern
sky just before sunrise.
-
November 17, 18 - Leonids Meteor Shower.
The Leonids is an average shower, producing up to 15 meteors per hour
at its peak. This shower is unique in that it has a cyclonic peak about
every 33 years where hundreds of meteors per hour can be seen. That last
of these occurred in 2001. The Leonids is produced by dust grains left
behind by comet Tempel-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1865. The shower
runs annually from November 6-30. It peaks this year on the night of the
17th and morning of the 18th. The nearly new moon will not be a problem
this year. Skies should be dark enough for what should be good show.
Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will
radiate from the constellation Leo, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
-
November 18 - New Moon.
The Moon will located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will
not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 11:42 UTC. This
is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies
and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
-
November 24 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation.
The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 22.0 degrees
from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at
its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. Look for the
planet low in the western sky just after sunset.
-
December 3 - Full Moon, Supermoon.
The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun
and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at
15:47 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as
the Full Cold Moon because this is the time of year when the cold winter
air settles in and the nights become long and dark. This moon has also
been known as the Full Long Nights Moon and the Moon Before Yule. This
is also the only supermoon for 2017. The Moon will be at its closest
approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than
usual.
-
December 13, 14 - Geminids Meteor Shower.
The Geminids is the king of the meteor showers. It is considered by
many to be the best shower in the heavens, producing up to 120
multicolored meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by debris left
behind by an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, which was discovered in
1982. The shower runs annually from December 7-17. It peaks this year on
the night of the 13th and morning of the 14th. The waning crescent moon
will be no match for the Geminids this year. The skies should still be
dark enough for an excellent show. Best viewing will be from a dark
location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation
Gemini, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
-
December 18 - New Moon.
The Moon will located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will
not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 06:30 UTC. This
is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies
and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
- December 21 - December Solstice.
The December solstice occurs at 16:28 UTC. The South Pole of the earth
will be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its southernmost
position in the sky and will be directly over the Tropic of Capricorn at
23.44 degrees south latitude. This is the first day of winter (winter
solstice) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of summer (summer
solstice) in the Southern Hemisphere.
-
December 21, 22 - Ursids Meteor Shower.
The Ursids is a minor meteor shower producing about 5-10 meteors per
hour. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Tuttle, which
was first discovered in 1790. The shower runs annually from December
17-25. It peaks this year on the the night of the 21st and morning of
the 22nd. The crescent moon will set early in the evening leaving dark
skies for optimal observing. Best viewing will be just after midnight
from a dark location far away from city lights. Meteors will radiate
from the constellation Ursa Minor, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
Friday, April 22, 2016
My 2017 terror attack prediction dates.
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