Astronomy Calendar 2024: Upcoming Astronomical Events You Must Not Miss

In this blog, we bring you the Astronomy Calendar 2024! Everyday life has people caught up in numerous things, and one often looks up at the sky to enjoy the view. A busy schedule also makes it hard to keep track of astronomical events.

If you have missed celestial events in 2023, get ready to enjoy the upcoming 2024 astronomical events. From awe-inspiring solar and lunar eclipses to the mesmerizing dance of meteor showers lighting the night sky, there's no shortage of must-see occurrences. 

Several astronomical events are scheduled for 2024 that will be worth watching. Here are some of the must-see occurrences:

• Total Solar Eclipse (April 8, 2024):

• Visibility: North America, with the path of totality stretching from Mexico through the United States to eastern Canada.
• Notable Cities: Dallas, Indianapolis, Montreal.

• Partial Lunar Eclipse (May 25, 2024):

• Visibility: North America, South America, Western Europe, Africa, Antarctica.
• Phases: The Moon passes through Earth's outer shadow (penumbra) and central shadow (umbra).

• Spica's Lunar Occultation (July 13, 2024):

• Visibility: North America.
• Event: The moon conceals the bright blue star Spica, observed around 11:30 pm.

• Annular Solar Eclipse (October 2, 2024):

• Visibility: South America, Atlantic Ocean, southern Europe, western Africa.
• Characteristics: The Moon's distance from Earth creates a radiant ring of light around the moon.

• Partial Lunar Eclipse (October 18, 2024):

• Visibility: Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa, and Eastern parts of South America.
• Phases: The moon passes through Earth's penumbra and umbra.

• Mercury Transit (November 11, 2024):

• Visibility: South America, Africa, southern Europe, and eastern parts of North America.
• Event: Mercury passes directly between the Earth and the Sun.

• Meteor Showers:

• Quadrantids (January 3-4, 2024): Best viewed from dark locations after midnight.
• Perseids (August 12-13, 2024): One of the best meteor showers, visible from various locations.
• Geminids (December 13-14, 2024): Considered the king of meteor showers, best viewed after midnight.

Here’s more detail on the above astronomical events.

• Total Solar Eclipse (April 8, 2024):

   One of the most anticipated astronomy events of 2024 is a total solar eclipse that will be visible across North America. The path of totality will stretch from Mexico through the United States and into eastern Canada. Major cities like Dallas, Indianapolis, and Montreal will experience the total eclipse. 

• Partial Lunar Eclipse (May 25, 2024):

  A partial lunar eclipse will be visible from most parts of North America, South America, Western Europe, Africa, and Antarctica. The moon will darken as it passes through Earth's outer shadow or penumbra, and a small portion will pass through its central shadow or umbra. 

• Spica's Lunar Occultation (July 13, 2024):

  On this day, the moon will conceal the bright blue star Spica, and this astronomical event will be observable across North America. The moon will obscure Spica around 11:30 pm in the low west-southwest sky. Meanwhile, in the West, the moon will cover the star before sunset and unveil it again on its illuminated side at approximately 8:45 pm PDT (0445 GMT on July 14).  

• Annular Solar Eclipse (October 2, 2024):

  An annular solar eclipse will take place, during which the moon's distance from Earth prevents it from entirely obscuring the Sun. It creates a radiant ring of light surrounding the moon. This celestial event can be witnessed from certain areas in South America, the Atlantic Ocean, southern Europe, and western Africa, while a partial solar eclipse may be visible in other locations. 

• Partial Lunar Eclipse (October 18, 2024):

  Another partial lunar eclipse will occur, visible from most of Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa, and the eastern parts of South America. The moon will again pass through Earth's penumbra and umbra, creating a darkening effect. If you missed it earlier in the astronomy calendar, that's a second chance to see the partial lunar eclipse. 

• Mercury Transit (November 11, 2024):

  Mercury will pass directly between the Earth and the Sun, appearing as a small black dot moving across the Sun's surface. This rare event, known as a transit, will be visible from South America, Africa, southern Europe, and the eastern parts of North America.

Use the above list as your astronomy calendar for 2024. Remember to use proper eye protection when observing solar events, such as the solar eclipse and Mercury transit, as looking directly at the Sun without protection can cause permanent eye damage.

Observing astronomical events is enhanced in dark locations away from city lights. Less light pollution allows you to see celestial events more clearly.

With a Club Mahindra Membership, you can enjoy a premium stay across Europe and Asia to experience many of the above upcoming astronomical events.

Many resorts are in locations that would be perfect for the 2024 astronomy events.