Night Sky Calendar 2024

What you can see in the Night Sky for 2024

What are the major sky events happening in 2024?  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 2024

  • 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. 
  • January 11th – 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 11:57 UTC.
  • January 12th – Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation:  This is a great time to see the planet Mercury as it appears 23.5 degrees from the Sun.  Look low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
  • January 25th – 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 17:54 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Wolf Moon.

February 2024

  • February 9th – 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 22:59 UTC. 
  • February 24th – 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 12:30 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Snow Moon.

March 2024

  • March 10th – 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 09:00 UTC. 
  • 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 03:07 UTC, when the sun shines directly on equator and there will be equal parts day and night throughout the world.
  • March 24th – Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation:  This is a great time to see the planet Mercury as it appears 18.7 degrees from the Sun.  Look low in the western sky just after sunset.
  • March 25th – 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 07:00 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Worm Moon.
  • March 25th – Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: At 07:13 UTC 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.

April 2024

  • April 8th – 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 18:21 UTC. 
  • April 8th – Total Solar Eclipse:  A total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of Mexico, the eastern United States and Nova Scotia. Almost all of North and Central America will be able to she eclipse with some coverage, weather permitting. For more info, visit: NASA Eclipse Info.  The next total solar eclipse visible in the continental United States will not be until 2045.
  • 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 23rd – 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 23:49 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Pink Moon.

May 2024

 
  • 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 8th – 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 03:22 UTC.
  • May 9th – Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation:  This is a great time to see the planet Mercury as it appears 26.4 degrees from the Sun.  Look low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
  • May 23rd – 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 13:53 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Flower Moon.

June 2024

  • June 6th – 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 12:38 UTC.
  • June 14th – 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 11:52 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Strawberry Moon.  This will be the first of three Supermoons in 2022.
  • June 20th – June Solstice:  The first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of winter in the Southern Hemisphere.  At 20:51 UTC the Sun reaches its northernmost position in the sky, directly over the Tropic of Cancer at 23.44 degrees north latitude.

July 2024

  • July 5 – 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 22:57 UTC.
  • July 21st – 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 10:17 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Buck Moon.
  • July 22nd – Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation:  This is a great time to see the planet Mercury as it appears 26.9 degrees from the Sun.  Look low in the western sky just after sunset.
  • 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 there will be dark skies for this one!

August 2024

  • August 4th – 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 11:13 UTC.
  • 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 – Full Moon, Blue Moon:  The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth than the Sun, illuminating its entire visible surface.  Full Moon arrives at 01:36 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Sturgeon Moon.  This is also a Blue Moon, since it is the third of four Full Moons in this season.

September 2024

  • September 3rd – 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 01:55 UTC.
  • September 5th – Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation:  This is a great time to see the planet Mercury as it appears 18.1 degrees from the Sun.  Look low in the eastern sky just after sunrise.
  • September 8th – 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 18th – 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 02:34 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 18th – Partial Lunar Eclipse: At 02:45 UTC the Moon will pass through the Earth’s penumbra, causing it to darken, with parts passing through the umbra, causing the partial lunar eclipse.  This will be visible throughout North America, Mexico, Central American and South America, most 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 20th – 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.
  • 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 00:55 UTC, when the sun shines directly on equator and there will be nearly equal parts day and night throughout the world.

October 2024

  • October 2nd – 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 18:49 UTC.
  • October 2nd – Annular Solar Eclipse:  An annular solar eclipse will be visible throughout parts of Chile and Argentina with a partial eclipse visible to the southern part of South America.  For more info, visit: NASA Eclipse Info.
  • 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 17th – 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 20:55 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Hunters Moon.  This will be the second of three Supermoons in 2024.
  • 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. 

November 2024

  • November 1st – 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 12:47 UTC.
  • 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 15th – 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 third and final Supermoon of 2024.
  • November 16th – Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation:  This is a great time to see the planet Mercury as it appears 22.5 degrees from the Sun.  Look low in the western sky just after sunset.
  • November 17th – 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.
  • 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.

December 2024

  • December 1 – 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 06:21 UTC.
  • December 7 – Jupiter at Opposition:  The planet Jupiter 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.
  • 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 15th – 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 09:02 UTC.  Some Native American tribes knew this as the Cold Moon.
  • December 21st – December Solstice:  The first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.  At 09:20 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.
  • December 25th – Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation:  This is a great time to see the planet Mercury as it appears 22 degrees from the Sun.  Look low in the eastern sky just after sunrise.
  • December 30th – 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 22:27 UTC.