Full moons, eclipses, solar activity, and meteor showers to look forward to in 2024

The highlight is the highly anticipated total solar eclipse on April 8, visible in Mexico, the US, and Canada

Web Desk

January 01, 2024

A supermoon can be seen rising over the Cuatro Torres business area in Madrid on August 1, 2023.-AFP

Stargazers are in for a treat in 2024 as the night sky promises a plethora of celestial events, including full moons, meteor showers, solar and lunar eclipses, and vibrant auroras.

Solar and Lunar eclipses

The highlight is the highly anticipated total solar eclipse on April 8, visible in Mexico, the US, and Canada. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon fully blocks the sun's face, with the path of totality offering a complete cover of the sun.

Additionally, an annular solar eclipse is expected on October 2 over parts of South America, forming a "ring of fire" as the sun's light surrounds the moon's shadow.

Lunar eclipses, including a penumbral lunar eclipse on March 24-25 visible across continents, add to the astronomical marvels.

The sun is poised to reach solar maximum in mid-to-late 2024, releasing solar flares and coronal mass ejections that can impact Earth's technologies.

Scientists, anticipating insights from April's total solar eclipse, will closely monitor solar activity. Increased solar activity brings the spectacle of auroras, or the northern and southern lights, visible at Earth's poles.

Geomagnetic storms in 2023 allowed rare sightings as far south as New Mexico and the southeast of England.

As the sun's activity peaks, auroras' vibrant displays are expected, creating a captivating celestial show in Earth's skies.

Here are the full moons of 2024:

January 25: Wolf moon

February 24: Snow moon

March 25: Worm moon

April 23: Pink moon

May 23: Flower moon

June 21: Strawberry moon

July 21: Buck moon

August 19: Sturgeon moon

September 17: Harvest moon