There will be quite a few Astro Events this year with the Comets and the Solar Eclipse being added into the mix. Hopefully this will be a help as you plan out your year.
1. Comets
A. Comet Pons-Brooks - March to April 2024
This comet flies by every 71 years, and it's making its next approach this spring. It is also called the "Devil Comet" as it has a horned appearance. It should be visible around the constellation Aries come late March.
B. Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS - September to October 2024
It was discovered in January 2023 just a year ago. Many think it could be as bright as Comet ZTF was, and that was really an awesome sight!
2. My 2 Favorite Meteor Showers
A. Perseids Meteor Shower - July 14 to September 1st.
You can get up to 75 meteors an hour with this one. It's Peak is August 11-12.
The moon will be at about 50%, so it will be pretty bright. The moon will set at about 11:20pm, so you will have a nice dark sky the rest of the night.
B. Geminds Meteor Shower - November 19 to December 24
This one will blow your socks off! It can have as many as 120 meteors an hour. It's Peak is December 13-14th.
It will be a full moon, so that's not good as it will wash out the night sky. The best solution is to set up your camera to face away from the moon, and aim towards the darkest part of the sky. Geminids will pop off in the entire sky.
3. Solar Eclipse - April 8th 2024
1. Comets
A. Comet Pons-Brooks - March to April 2024
This comet flies by every 71 years, and it's making its next approach this spring. It is also called the "Devil Comet" as it has a horned appearance. It should be visible around the constellation Aries come late March.
B. Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS - September to October 2024
It was discovered in January 2023 just a year ago. Many think it could be as bright as Comet ZTF was, and that was really an awesome sight!
2. My 2 Favorite Meteor Showers
A. Perseids Meteor Shower - July 14 to September 1st.
You can get up to 75 meteors an hour with this one. It's Peak is August 11-12.
The moon will be at about 50%, so it will be pretty bright. The moon will set at about 11:20pm, so you will have a nice dark sky the rest of the night.
B. Geminds Meteor Shower - November 19 to December 24
This one will blow your socks off! It can have as many as 120 meteors an hour. It's Peak is December 13-14th.
It will be a full moon, so that's not good as it will wash out the night sky. The best solution is to set up your camera to face away from the moon, and aim towards the darkest part of the sky. Geminids will pop off in the entire sky.
3. Solar Eclipse - April 8th 2024