Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
According to the Department of Astronomical Observatories at Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST), an affiliate of the University of Sharjah (UoS), the next year in astronomy is shaping up to be a big one for the UAE, with the department preparing to showcase lunar eclipses, planetary alignments, and meteor showers through skywatching sessions.
SAASST staff told Aletihad about the major events in astronomy from July 2024-October 2024.
July begins with a New Moon on the sixth of the month, ideal for observing faint celestial objects, followed by the Buck Moon on the 21st and Mercury achieving its greatest eastern elongation on the 22nd.
August features another New Moon on the 4th, providing another opportunity for observing faint objects, alongside a rare Blue Moon on the 19th.
September starts with a New Moon on the 3rd, highlighting Mercury’s greatest western elongation on the 5th, Saturn at opposition on the 8th, and a partial lunar eclipse on the 18th.
October kicks off with a New Moon and an annular solar eclipse on the 2nd, followed by the Hunter’s Moon on the 17th.
Building on this timeline, SAASST staff told Aletihad that November 2024 will see a celestial phenomenon known as the Beaver Moon supermoon on the 16th, along with Mercury’s greatest eastern elongation with Uranus in opposition on the 17th.
In December 2024, significant events include a Cold Moon on the 15th, and the December solstice on the 21st.
Moving into January 2025, notable lunar events include a New Moon on the 1st, Venus at its greatest eastern elongation on the 10th, and a Full Moon (Wolf Moon) on the 13th.
In February, the Full Moon occurs on the 12th, followed by the New Moon on the 27th.
March 2025 will feature, a Full Moon (Worm Moon) on the 14th, a total lunar eclipse also on the 14th, and a New Moon on the 29th.
Furthermore, in April 2025, there will be a Full Moon (Pink Moon) on the 13th, followed by Mercury at its greatest western elongation on the 21st, and a New Moon on the 27th.
May brings a Full Moon (Flower Moon) on the 12th, a New Moon on the 27th, and Venus at its greatest western elongation on the 31st.
June 2025 will see a Full Moon (Strawberry Moon) on the 11th, the June solstice on the 21st, and a New Moon on the 25th.
Finally, July of 2025 will see Mercury at its greatest eastern elongation on the 4th, a Full Moon (Buck Moon) on the 11th, and a New Moon on the 24th.
Major meteor showers visible during this period, according to SAASST staff, include the Delta Aquarids (July 12-August 23, with a peak on July 28-29), Perseids (July 17-August 24, with a peak on August 12-13), Draconids (October 6-10, with a peak on October 8-9), and Orionids (October 2-November 7, with a peak on October 20-21).
From November 2024 to February 2025, visible meteor showers will include the Taurids (September 7-December 10, with a peak on November 4-5), Leonids (November 6-30, with a peak November 17-18), Geminids (December 4-20, with a peak December 13-14), Ursids (December 17-26, with a peak December 22-23), and Quadrantids (December 28-January 12, 2025, with a peak January 3-4).
Other major meteor showers visible include the Lyrids (April 14-30, peaking April 22-23), Eta Aquarids (April 19 - May 28, with a peak May 5-6), and Delta Aquarids (July 12 - August 23, with a peak July 28-29).
