This week many got the chance to witness the first of 2022’s total lunar eclipses as the moon passed through the earth’s shadow.
But if you, like me, missed the entire astronomical affair only to catch the images shared on social media a day later, don’t worry, there’s one more lunar eclipse coming on 8 November.
But you really don’t want to miss out on any other celestial action!
Here are the top 5 astronomical events coming up that you need to diarise.
1. 14 June: First supermoon
There will be three supermoons in 2022 to watch out for. This is when the point of the moon’s orbit is closest to the earth. The result is the moon is slightly bigger and brighter than usual – hence the name ‘supermoon’. The second supermoon will arrive on 13 July and the third on 12 August.
2. 24 June: Planet alignment
Get up early mid-winter and you’ll get the chance to spot the alignment of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn just before sunrise – if conditions allow. The crescent moon will also align with planets, setting itself between Venus and Mars for a truly spectacular sighting.
3. 12-13 August: Perseid meteor shower
Coinciding with the third supermoon is the Persied meteor shower which – when conditions are right – will result in 50 to 100 shooting stars an hour. The brightly moonlit sky might make the event somewhat less visible, but it’s still certainly worth watching out for.
4. 26 September: Jupiter
Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, will reach what’s known as ‘opposition’ on 26 September. This is when the planet appears opposite the sun from earth’s perspective, making it appear much brighter than usual. If you have a telescope on hand, you can spot the planet’s four largest moons: Europa, IO, Callisto and Ganymede.
5. 13-14 December: Geminid meteor shower
If you can’t see Perseid as clearly as you would like, not to worry as the Geminid meteor shower will end off 2022 on a mesmerising note. Once again, ideal conditions will be needed, but if they’re in place, you can see around 100 meteors an hour. The bright moon may reduce these rates, but it’s still worth watching out for.
Remember to always take the time to look at the stars in the night sky!
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