2020 Guide To Meteor Showers, Supermoons, Other Celestial Events

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to spend more time outside with the family, or just get out there more yourself, the skies offer hours of enchantment that’s not only fun but a practical science lesson for the kiddos about the cosmos.

To start your resolution off right, note that astronomers are buzzing about the Quadrantid meteor shower that peaks Jan. 3-4. This colorful blue meteor shower with a limited window for viewing typically produces about 40 shooting stars an hour, but there could be as many as 100 an hour in the 2020 show.

In addition to meteor showers, full moons and supermoons — there are four of them in 2020 — Jupiter and Saturn will appear is one planet in a spectacular and rare conjunction in December. If you haven’t spent a summer night gazing into the heavens, you haven’t been doing summer right; fortunately, the planets show themselves throughout the summer.

Observatories and planetariums are a good place to view some planetary events, especially if you don’t have access to a good telescope. For meteor showers, it’s always best to get as far away from city lights as possible. More than two dozen national parks have been designated as dark sky preserves, and most major U.S. cities aren't too far from dark skies.

Meteor Showers

Jan. 3-4, Quadrantid meteor shower peak: This is a meteor shower you may never have heard of — it’s short, running from Jan. 1-5, and occurs when it’s miserable to be outside in most areas, but it’s a shame if you’ve never caught it. The Quadrantids produce up to 40 shooting stars an hour at the peak; but in 2020, as many as 100 meteors an hour could fly during the Jan. 3-4 peak, according to Space.com. The first-quarter moon sets just after midnight, leaving dark skies for optimum viewing conditions.

April 22-23, Lyrid meteor shower peak: This meteor shower running April 16-25 isn’t the best of the year, but with warmer weather settling in, it’s worth a look. The Lyrids reliably produce 20 meteors an hour, sometimes with bright dust trails you’ll be able to follow for several seconds. A relatively new moon will make for dark skies. The best viewing time is after midnight. The meteors radiate from the constellation Lyra but can be seen anywhere in the sky.

May 6-7, Eta Aquarid meteor shower peak: This above-average, long-running meteor shower from April 19 to May 28 produces up to 30 meteors an hour at its peak. Unfortunately, the moon — and a supermoon at that — will wash out all but the brightest meteors, though patience may be rewarded for those who seek out dark skies after midnight. The constellation Aquarius is the radiant point, but meteors are visible anywhere in the sky.

July 28-29, Delta Aquarid meteor shower peak: Produced by debris left behind by the Marsden and Kracht comets, this modest shower produces about 20 meteors an hour from July 12 to Aug. 23. A second-quarter moon will wash out some of the faintest meteors, but patient skywatchers may be rewarded. The meteors radiate from the constellation Aquarius but are visible anywhere in the sky.

Aug. 12-13, Perseid meteor shower: If you can catch only one meteor shower in 2020, make it the Perseids, which produce up to 60 shooting stars an hour at the peak. The shower, which runs July 17 to Aug. 24, is known for producing large numbers of bright meteors. A second-quarter moon will wash out some of the faintest meteors, but this shower is so bright and prolific that it should still be a winner. The Perseids fly mainly after midnight and can be seen anywhere in the sky, though they radiate from the constellation Perseus.

Oct. 7, Draconid meteor shower peak: The Draconids are a minor meteor shower with only about 10 shooting stars an hour; but occasionally, Draco the Dragon — the radiant point of the Draconids — breathes fire, and an outburst occurs. The shower runs annually Oct. 6-10. Unlike other meteor showers, the peak viewing time is in the early evening hours. A second-quarter moon means viewing conditions should be good.

Oct. 21-22, Orionid meteor shower peak: The Orionids run annually from Oct. 2 to Nov. 7, and they reliably produce about 20 meteors an hour at the shower’s peak. Viewing is best after midnight, and a crescent moon will set before then. The ancient shower is produced by dust grains left behind by the comet Halley. The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Orion but can be seen anywhere in the sky.

Nov. 4-5, Taurid meteor shower peak: The Taurids are active for longer than any other meteor shower of the year, running annually from Sept. 7 to Dec. 10. The Taurids aren’t particularly prolific, producing only about five to 10 meteors an hour. What makes this shooting star show unusual is that the meteors come from separate debris streams — dust grains left behind Asteroid 2004 TG10 and debris from Comet 2P Encke. A first-quarter moon at the shower’s peak may block out all but the brightest meteors. After midnight is the best time to look for meteors, which radiate from the constellation Taurus but can be seen anywhere in the sky.

Nov. 17-18, Leonid meteor shower peak: This average shower, produced by dust grains from the comet Tempel-Tuttle, runs Nov. 6-30 and produces about 15 meteors an hour at its peak. It’s unpredictable, though, and produces hundreds of meteors an hour during cyclonic peaks, which occur about every 33 years. That last happened in 2001, so don’t expect a cyclonic flurry this time. The best time to watch for Leonids is after midnight, and the crescent moon will already have set, leaving dark skies. The meteors radiate from the constellation Leo but are visible anywhere in the sky.

Dec. 13-14, Geminid meteor shower peak: The only thing the Perseids have over the Geminids is that they occur in the summer when it’s comfortable to be outside. The Geminids, which run Dec. 7-17 every year, are known to produce up to 120 multicolored meteors at their peak. Produced by debris left behind by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, this shower is best viewed after midnight. A nearly new moon will make for excellent viewing conditions. The meteors radiate from the constellation Gemini but are visible anywhere in the sky.

Dec. 21-22, Ursid meteor shower: This minor meteor shower runs Dec. 17-25 and produces around five to 10 meteors at the peak. Viewing conditions are best after midnight. The first-quarter moon sets just after midnight, so dark skies will enhance meteor viewing. The meteors come from the constellation Ursa Minor but can be seen anywhere in the sky.

Full Moons, Supermoons, Lunar Events

Jan. 10, full moon: Because they could hear hungry wolves howling outside at winter camps, Native Americans called the first full moon of 2020 the full wolf moon. The January full moon has also been called the old moon and the moon after yule. A penumbral lunar eclipse, which occurs when the moon passes through the Earth’s partial shadow — or penumbra — will also occur Jan. 10 but won’t be visible in the United States.

Feb. 9, full moon and supermoon: This full moon is also the first of four 2020 supermoons — moons that appear to be larger and brighter as they make their closest approach to Earth. Heavy snow fell over Native American camps at this time of year, so they called the February full moon either the full snow moon or the full hunger moon, the latter because hunting was more difficult in heavy snow.

March 9, full moon and supermoon: This month’s full moon is the second of the four 2020 supermoons. It heralds the approach of spring, and early Native American tribes called it the full worm moon to mark the time of year earthworms began working their way out of the newly thawed ground. It’s also been called the crow moon, the crust moon, the sap moon and the Lenten moon.

April 8, full moon and supermoon: The third of the four 2020 supermoons, the April full moon is often called the pink moon because it’s the time of year when wild pink ground phlox reappeared. The first full moon after the spring equinox also is called the sprouting grass moon, the growing moon and the egg moon. Some coastal Native American tribes called it the full fish moon to mark the time of year when shad swam upstream to spawn.

May 7, full moon and supermoon: The last of four consecutive supermoons and the final of the extra-big and -bright lunar orbs of 2020 was also called the full flower moon by Native American tribes. Alternately, it’s also been called the full corn planting moon and the milk moon.

June 5, full moon: Native American tribes called this the full strawberry moon to signal the ripening of the sweet fruit, but it also has been called the full rose moon and the full honey moon.

July 5, full moon and penumbral lunar eclipse: Picture a shimmering moon over the water at your Fourth of July celebration at the beach. It gets even better. A penumbral lunar eclipse will be visible throughout most of North America, as well as South America, and the eastern Pacific and western Atlantic oceans. This type of eclipse happens when the moon passes through the Earth’s partial shadow, called a penumbra, and the moon darkens slightly. The July full moon was also called the full buck moon by Native American tribes because that’s when male deer begin growing their antlers, but it’s also been called the full thunder moon and full hay moon.

Aug. 3, full moon: Native American tribes called it the full sturgeon moon because the large fish found in the Great Lakes and other major lakes were easier to catch at this time of the year. The August full moon has also been called the green corn moon and the grain moon.

Sept 2, full moon: Early Native American tribes called the September full moon the full corn moon because it signaled the time to begin corn harvests.

Oct.1, full moon: In 2020, but not every year, the October full moon is also a harvest moon. The harvest moon is always one that occurs closest to the September equinox. Native American tribes called it the full hunter’s moon, because it’s the time of year when the game was fat and ready to be hunted. The moon has also been called the travel moon and the blood moon.

Oct 31, full moon and blue moon: There’s one blue moon — that is, the second of two full moons in a single month — in 2020. Blue moons occur every few months but still are rare enough to give rise to the term “once in a blue moon.”

Nov. 30, full moon and penumbral lunar eclipse: November’s full moon occurs as it passes through the Earth’s partial shadow, or penumbra. During this type of eclipse, the moon darkens slightly. The November full moon was called the full beaver moon by Native Americans who busied themselves setting beaver traps before the swamps and rivers froze. It’s also been called the frosty moon and the hunter’s moon.

Dec. 30, full moon: During the long, dark and cold nights of December, Native Americans called the month’s full moon the full cold moon. It’s also been called the moon before yule and the full long nights moon.

Equinoxes And Solstices

March 20, first day of spring: During the vernal equinox, or spring equinox, the sun shines directly on the equator and there are nearly equal amounts of day and night.

June 22, first day of summer: The summer solstice occurs when the Earth’s North Pole is directly over the Tropic of Cancer. It’s the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Sept. 22, first day of fall: The autumnal equinox occurs when the sun shines directly on the equator and there are nearly equal amounts of day and night around the world.

Dec. 21, first day of winter: The winter solstice occurs when the Earth’s South Pole is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. It’s the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Planetary Events

Feb. 10, Mercury at its greatest eastern elongation: The planet is 18.2 degrees from the sun, offering excellent opportunities for viewing since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. You’ll see the planet low in the western sky just after sunset.

March 24, Mercury at its greatest western elongation: Mercury will be at its highest point above the eastern horizon just before sunrise.

March 24, Venus at its greatest eastern elongation: Mercury doesn’t get all the glory on this day. Venus will make its closest approach to the sun, and the bright planet will be at its highest point above the western horizon after sunset.

June 4, Mercury at its greatest eastern elongation: Mercury will again be close to the sun. Look for it low in the western sky just after sunset.

July 14, Jupiter at opposition: Jupiter is a giant planet, and when it makes its closest approach to the Earth, its face is fully illuminated by the sun. Jupiter is never brighter than it is this time of year, making it an ideal time to view and photograph the planet and its moons. You’ll be able to see Jupiter all night, and a medium-size telescope should be powerful enough to reveal some of the details in the planet’s cloud zone. The moons should be visible through a good pair of binoculars.

July 20, Saturn at opposition: You should be able to see Saturn’s ring and a few of its brightest moons with a medium-size or larger telescope when the planet makes its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the sun.

July 22, Mercury at its greatest western elongation: Mercury will be at its highest point above the horizon in the eastern sky just before sunrise.

Aug. 13, Venus at its greatest western elongation: Venus will be at its highest point above the eastern sky horizon just before sunrise.

Sept. 11, Neptune at opposition: The face of the giant blue planet will be fully illuminated by the sun, and Neptune will be brighter than at any other time of the year. The planet is so far away that you’ll need a powerful telescope to see it as more than a tiny blue dot. It will be visible all night.

Oct.1, Mercury at its greatest eastern elongation: Mercury will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. The best time to look for the planet is low in the western sky just after sunset.

Oct. 13, Mars at opposition: As Mars makes its closest approach to Earth, its entire face will be illuminated by the sun. This is the time to get outside with a camera and medium-size telescope, because the planet will be brighter than at any other time of the year. With the right equipment, you may be able to see some of the dark details on the red planet’s surface. Mars will be visible all night.

Oct. 31, Uranus at opposition: The blue-green planet will make its closest approach to Earth, and its face will be entirely illuminated by the sun. Brighter on this night than at any other time of the year, Uranus will be visible all night. If you plan to view it, you’ll need a powerful telescope.

Nov. 10, Mercury at its greatest western elongation: Mercury makes its last close appearance to Earth of the year. Look for it low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.

Dec. 21, rare conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn: When these two planets appear within 7 arc minutes of each other, it’s known as a great conjunction, which last happened in 2000. They will be so close to one another that they’ll appear as one bright planet. To see it, look at the western sky just after sunset.

Sources: Seaandsky.org, NASA.gov, Space.com, Earthsky.org and Patch archives.