Night Sky Calendar 2025

What you can see in the Night Sky for 2025

What are the major sky events happening in 2025?  Here is a quick rundown of what you can see during the year.  To get a more in-depth review of what is happening each month, please check out our monthly night sky rundowns.

Examples of Night Sky Events

January 2025

  • January 3rd-4th – Quadrantids Meteor Shower:  Dust grains left behind by extinct comet 2003 EH1 create the streaks of light from this meteor shower.  With up to 40 meteors per hour at its peak, the Quadrantids is one of the better meteor showers, with the best viewing coming after midnight. Meteors will appear to radiate from the constellation Boötes.
  • January 10th – Venus at Greatest Western Elongation:  This is a great time to see the planet Venus as it appears 47.2 degrees from the Sun.  Look for the brightest planet in the western sky just after sunset.
  • January 13th – Full Moon:  The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth than the Sun, illuminating its entire visible surface.  Full Moon arrives at 22:28 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Wolf Moon.
  • January 16th – Mars at Opposition: This is a great time to see Mars in all its glory, as it will reach it’s closest approach to Earth this year.  It will be visible all night long.
  • January 29th – New Moon:  Great time to stargaze!  The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun so it will not be visible in the night sky.  New Moon starts at 12:37 UTC.

February 2025

  • February 12th – Full Moon:  The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth than the Sun, illuminating its entire visible surface.  Full Moon arrives at 13:55 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Snow Moon.
  • February 28th – New Moon:  Great time to stargaze!  The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun so it will not be visible in the night sky.  New Moon starts at 00:46 UTC. 

March 2025

  • March 8th – Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation:  This is a great time to see the planet Mercury as it appears 18.2 degrees from the Sun.  Look low in the western sky just after sunset.
  • March 14th – Full Moon:  The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth than the Sun, illuminating its entire visible surface.  Full Moon arrives at 06:56 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Worm Moon.
  • March 14th – Total Lunar Eclipse:  The Moon will pass through the Earth’s penumbra, causing it to darken.  This will be visible throughout North America, Mexico, Central American and South America.  If you would like more details on where and when this lunar eclipse is visible, check out this lunar eclipse info .pdf from the NASA website.
  • March 20th – March Equinox:  It’s the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.  This occurs at 08:58 UTC, when the sun shines directly on equator and there will be equal parts day and night throughout the world.
  • March 29th – New Moon:  Great time to stargaze!  The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun so it will not be visible in the night sky.  New Moon starts at 11:00 UTC. 
  • March 29th – Partial Solar Eclipse:  A partial solar eclipse will be visible on from parts of Europe, northern Asia, northern and western Africa, much of North America, and northern parts of South America. During this event, the Moon will partially obscure the Sun’s disk, with the exact percentage of coverage varying depending on the observer’s location. Proper eye protection, such as certified solar eclipse glasses, is essential for safely viewing this celestial phenomenon.

April 2025

  • April 13th – Full Moon:  The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth than the Sun, illuminating its entire visible surface.  Full Moon arrives at 00:24 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Pink Moon.
  • April 21st – Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation:  This is a great time to see the planet Mercury as it appears 27.4 degrees from the Sun.  Look low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
  • April 22nd-23rd – Lyrids Meteor Shower: Dust grains left behind by the comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher create the streaks of light from this meteor shower.  With up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak, the Lyrids is an average meteor shower, with the best viewing coming after midnight.   The meteors will radiate from the constellation Lyra.
  • April 27th – New Moon:  Great time to stargaze!  The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun so it will not be visible in the night sky.  New Moon starts at 19:32 UTC. 

May 2025

 
  • May 6th-7th – Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower: Dust grains left behind by the comet Halley create the streaks of light from this meteor shower.  With up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak in the Southern Hemisphere, and 30 meteors per hour in the Northern Hemisphere, the Eta Aquarids is an above average meteor shower, with the best viewing coming after midnight.   The meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius.
  • May 12th – Full Moon:  The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth than the Sun, illuminating its entire visible surface.  Full Moon arrives at 16:57 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Flower Moon.
  • May 27th – New Moon:  Great time to stargaze!  The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun so it will not be visible in the night sky.  New Moon starts at 03:04 UTC.

June 2025

  • June 1st – Venus at Greatest Western Elongation:  This is a great time to see the planet Mercury as it appears 45.9 degrees from the Sun.  Look in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
  • June 11th – Full Moon:  The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth than the Sun, illuminating its entire visible surface.  Full Moon arrives at 07:45 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Strawberry Moon.
  • June 21st – June Solstice:  The first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of winter in the Southern Hemisphere.  At 02:04 UTC the Sun reaches its northernmost position in the sky, directly over the Tropic of Cancer at 23.44 degrees north latitude.
  • June 25th – New Moon:  Great time to stargaze!  The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun so it will not be visible in the night sky.  New Moon starts at 10:33 UTC.

July 2025

  • July 4th – Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation:  This is a great time to see the planet Mercury as it appears 25.9 degrees from the Sun.  Look low in the western sky just after sunset.
  • July 10th – Full Moon:  The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth than the Sun, illuminating its entire visible surface.  Full Moon arrives at 20:38 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Buck Moon.
  • July 24th – New Moon:  Great time to stargaze!  The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun so it will not be visible in the night sky.  New Moon starts at 19:13 UTC.
  • July 28th-29th – Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower: Dust grains left behind by comets Marsden and Kracht create the streaks of light from this meteor shower.  With up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak, the Delta Aquarids is an average meteor shower, with the best viewing coming after midnight.   The meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius.  With the New Moon just starting a few days earlier there will be dark skies for this one!

August 2025

  • August 9th – Full Moon:  The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth than the Sun, illuminating its entire visible surface.  Full Moon arrives at 07:56 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Sturgeon Moon. 
  • August 12th-13th – Perseids Meteor Shower: Dust grains left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle create the streaks of light from this meteor shower.  With up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak, the Perseids is one of the best meteor showers, with the best viewing coming after midnight.   The meteors will radiate from the constellation Perseus.  The Moon will set just after midnight, leaving excellent viewing conditions.
  • August 19th – Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation:  This is a great time to see the planet Mercury as it appears 18.6 degrees from the Sun.  Look low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
  • August 23rd – New Moon:  Great time to stargaze!  The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun so it will not be visible in the night sky.  New Moon starts at 06:08 UTC.

September 2025

  • September 7th – Full Moon:  The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth than the Sun, illuminating its entire visible surface.  Full Moon arrives at 18:10 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Corn Moon.  Since it is the full moon closest to September equinox, it is also known as the Harvest Moon.
  • September 7th – Total Lunar Eclipse:  The Moon will pass through the Earth’s penumbra, causing it to darken.  This will be visible throughout Asia and Australia, along with the central and eastern parts of Europe and Africa.  If you would like more details on where and when this lunar eclipse is visible, check out this lunar eclipse info .pdf from the NASA website.
  • September 21st – New Moon:  Great time to stargaze!  The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun so it will not be visible in the night sky.  New Moon starts at 19:55 UTC.
  • September 21st – Partial Solar Eclipse:  A partial solar eclipse will be visible in New Zealand, Antarctica and the southern Pacific.  For more info, visit: NASA Eclipse Info.
  • September 21st – Saturn at Opposition:  The planet Saturn will be brighter than any other time of the year as it reaches its closest approach to Earth and its face fill be fully illuminated by the Sun.  Take the opportunity to see it in its full glory as it is visible all night long.
  • September 22nd – September Equinox:  It’s the first day of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of spring in the Southern Hemisphere.  This occurs at 18:17 UTC, when the sun shines directly on equator and there will be nearly equal parts day and night throughout the world.
  • September 23rd – Neptune at Opposition:  The planet Neptune will be brighter than any other time of the year as it reaches its closest approach to Earth and its face fill be fully illuminated by the Sun.  Take the opportunity to photograph it in its full glory.

October 2025

  • October 7th – Full Moon, Supermoon:  The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth than the Sun, illuminating its entire visible surface.  Full Moon arrives at 03:49 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Hunters Moon.  This will be the first of three Supermoons in 2025.
  • October 7th – Draconids Meteor Shower: Dust grains left behind by the comet 21P Giacobini-Zinner create the streaks of light from this meteor shower.  The Draconids is a minor meteor shower, with a peak of 10 meteors per hour and the best viewing coming in the early evening.  The meteors will radiate from the constellation Draco. 
  • October 21st – New Moon:  Great time to stargaze!  The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun so it will not be visible in the night sky.  New Moon starts at 12:26 UTC.
  • October 21st-22nd – Orionids Meteor Shower: Dust grains left behind by the comet Halley create the streaks of light from this meteor shower.  The Orionids is an average meteor shower, with a peak of 20 meteors per hour and the best viewing coming after midnight.   The meteors will radiate from the constellation Orion. 
  • October 29th – Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation:  This is a great time to see the planet Mercury as it appears 23.9 degrees from the Sun.  Look low in the western sky just after sunset.

November 2025

  • November 4th-5th – Taurids Meteor Shower: Dust grains left behind by the Asteroid 2004 TG10 and the Comet 2P Enke create the streaks of light from this meteor shower.  With 5-10 meteors per hour at its peak, the Taurids Meteor Shower is an minor meteor shower, with the best viewing coming after midnight.   The meteors will radiate from the constellation Taurus.
  • November 5th – Full Moon, Supermoon:  The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth than the Sun, illuminating its entire visible surface.  Full Moon arrives at 21:29 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Beaver Moon.  This is the second and brightest Supermoon of 2025.
  • November 17th-18th – Leonids Meteor Shower: Dust grains left behind by the comet Tempel-Tuttle create the streaks of light from this meteor shower.  With up to 15 meteors per hour at its peak the Leonids is considered an average meteor shower, with the best viewing coming after midnight.   The meteors will radiate from the constellation Leo.
  • November 20th – New Moon:  Great time to stargaze!  The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun so it will not be visible in the night sky.  New Moon starts at 06:49 UTC.
  • November 21st – Uranus at Opposition:  The planet Uranus will be brighter than any other time of the year as it reaches its closest approach to Earth and its face fill be fully illuminated by the Sun.  Take the opportunity to photograph it in its full glory as it is visible all night long.

December 2025

  • December 4th – Full Moon, Supermoon:  The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth than the Sun, illuminating its entire visible surface.  Full Moon arrives at 23:15 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Cold Moon.  This is the third and final Supermoon of 2025.
  • December 7th – Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation:  This is a great time to see the planet Mercury as it appears 20.7 degrees from the Sun.  Look low in the eastern sky just after sunrise.
  • December 13th-14th – Geminids Meteor Shower: Dust grains left behind by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon create the streaks of light from this meteor shower.  With up to 120 meteors per hour at its peak  the Geminids is considered best meteor shower, with the best viewing coming after midnight.   The meteors will radiate from the constellation Gemini.
  • December 20th – New Moon:  Great time to stargaze!  The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun so it will not be visible in the night sky.  New Moon starts at 01:45 UTC.
  • December 21st – December Solstice:  The first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.  At 15:02 UTC the Sun reaches its southernmost position in the sky, directly over the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.44 degrees south latitude.
  • December 21st-22nd – Ursids Meteor Shower: Dust grains left behind by the comet Tuttle create the streaks of light from this meteor shower.  With 5-10 meteors per hour at its peak, the Taurids Meteor Shower is an minor meteor shower, with the best viewing coming after midnight.   The meteors will radiate from the constellation Ursa Minor.  Occurring so close to the new moon will make this a good year to see them.