Astronomy calendar: The best spectacles you should NOT miss this year – ‘Enjoy viewing’

Perseid meteor shower: ESA capture peak of event

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It has been a thrilling time for amateur skygazers so far, with four supermoons, a partial solar eclipse and Blood Moon in rapid succession. And the astronomical forecast shows things are about to get better with a number of high-profile meteor showers and even more eclipse action. Dr Daniel Brown, an astronomer based at Nottingham Trent University, has shared with Express.co.uk his three highlights in the upcoming months.

These astronomical events include a partial eclipse of the Micromoon in mid-November, and two meteor showers – one of which is just around the corner.

Dr Brown said: “We’ll be able to see in the UK a little of this year’s partial lunar eclipse as the Moon sets on the morning of November 19, but the conditions are really poor for that one.

“It gets worse, for a solar eclipse you will need to travel to the Antarctic on December 4.”

Read on below to find out more about these fascinating phenomena.

Partial lunar eclipse of the Micromoon:

On November 19 this year, the Full Moon will appear at lunar apogee – the Moon’s farthest distance from Earth.

This is the exact opposite of a Supermoon when the lunar orb is at perigee – the closest distance to Earth.

A Micromoon is said to be slightly smaller and dimmer than a regular Full Moon or Supermoon but the difference is too weak to be perceivable to the naked eye.

It is a good thing then, the Moon will become partially obscured by the Earth’s shadow on this night – an even more breathtaking sight.

The partial lunar eclipse will begin by about 7.18am BST on November 19 and will be seen from the UK.

Unfortunately by the time of the maximum eclipse – the halfway point of the eclipse – will take place under the horizon.

The Perseids and Geminids meteor shower:

With only portions of the November eclipse visible from the UK, you might be more interested in seeing Perseids and Geminids.

These are some of the most popular, annular showers that are renowned for their bountiful peaks.

Dr Brown said: “Better to keep an eye out for shooting stars during this year’s Perseids which will take place during August 16 to 23, peaking at August 12 to 13.

“Another good one is the Geminids at the end of the year from December 3 to 16, peaking on the December 14.”

The Perseids will arrive this year starting on July 17 and will last until August 24.

The shower’s peak, when we see the most meteors at once, will peak on the night of August 12 to 13.

Astronomers estimate the shower’s peak will produce between 120 and 150 shooting stars an hour.

These fast-moving meteors are the dusty debris of Associated with Comet Swift-Tuttle.

The best time to see the shower is between midnight and dawn when the skies are at their darkest.

Perseid meteors are named after their radiant – apparent point of origin – which sits in the constellation Perseus.

The radiant is fairly low in the sky so you might even have a chance to see the meteors as early as sunset.

With the bountiful peak, the Perseids are widely regarded as the best shower of the year.

Geminids 2018: NASA explains origin of dazzling meteors

The Geminid shower will follow in December, starting on December 3 and ending on December 14.

This is a much shorter shower, so pay attention to the night skies on these nights.

The Geminids will peak on December 16 with upwards of 120 meteors an hour.

Geminids and Quadrantids are the only two major showers not associated with a comet but rather an asteroid.

First recorded in 1862, the shower is believed to be getting more intense each year.

Just like the Perseids, the meteors will appear to enter the skies from a constellation – Gemini the Twins.

Other spectacles to look forward to:

The year is full of astronomical wonders, each offering a chance to learn something new about our place in the Universe.

Dr Brown said: “Overall, looking into the dark sky and noting what happens is the most rewarding thing. So go out there and enjoy watching.”

  • July 28 – Delta Aquariids meteor shower
  • September 22 – September/Autumn Equinox
  • October 7 – Draconids Meteor Shower
  • October 21 – Orionids Meteor Shower
  • November 4 – Taurids Meteor Shower
  • November 17 – Leonids Meteor Shower
  • December 21 – December/Winter Solstice
  • December 21 – Ursids Meteor Shower

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