Watch the night sky for these celestial events in 2023

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A spectacular meteor shower, full moon and solar eclipse will light up the skies in 2023.

This year, the calendar is filled with celestial events that are sure to delight any stargazer.

The comet, discovered in March 2022, will make its closest approach to the Sun on January 12th. NASADiscovered by astronomers using the Zwicky Transient Facility at Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California, the comet has been named C/2022 E3 (ZTF) and will make its closest approach to Earth on February 2.

According to NASA, the comet should be visible in the morning skies for northern hemisphere sky watchers for most of January and in binoculars for southern hemisphere sky watchers in early February.

Interactive: Best Space Photos of 2022

Anytime, there is always a good chance. The International Space Station flies overheadIf you want to know which planets you can see in the morning or evening sky, Old Farmer’s Almanac Calculator.

Here are the rest of the Top Sky events for 2023: Get your binoculars and telescope ready.

In most years, there are 12 full moons, one in each month. However, in 2023 he will have 13 full moons, two of which will occur in his August.

The second full moon in a month is known as a blue moon, as in the phrase “once in a blue moon.” NASAA full moon usually occurs every 29 days, but most calendar months last 30 or 31 days, so the moon phases don’t always coincide. This causes a blue moon approximately every 2.5 years.

The two full moons in August can also be considered supermoons. earth sky. Definitions of supermoons varybut the term generally refers to the full moon, which appears larger in the night sky because it is brighter than usual and closer to Earth.

Some astronomers say this phenomenon occurs when the Moon is within 90% of perigee. By that definition, the July full moon is also considered a supermoon event. earth sky.

Here is a list of full moons for 2023. Old Farmer’s Almanac:

These are common names associated with the monthly full moon, Each has its own significance across Native American tribes (often referred to by different names).

there will be 2 solar eclipses and 2 lunar eclipses 2023.

a A total solar eclipse will occur on April 20, Australians, Southeast Asians and Antarctic peoples. This kind of event occurs when the moon moves between the sun and the earth and blocks the sun.

For observers in Indonesia, parts of Australia, and Papua New Guinea, it will actually be a hybrid eclipse. The curvature of the Earth’s surface can cause some eclipses to shift between total and annular eclipses as the Moon’s shadow moves across the Earth. NASA.

Like a total solar eclipse, the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth during an annular eclipse, but it occurs when the Moon is at or near its furthest point from Earth, according to NASA. This makes the moon appear smaller than the sun, so the stars are not completely blocked, creating a glowing ring around the moon.

An annular solar eclipse sweeping the Western Hemisphere will occur on October 14, Found in North, Central and South America.

Be sure to wear suitable eclipse glasses to view the eclipse safely, as the sun’s rays can damage your eyes.

on the other hand, lunar eclipse It can only occur during a full moon when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned and the Moon enters the Earth’s shadow. When this occurs, the Earth casts two shadows of her on the Moon during a solar eclipse. A partial outer shadow is called a penumbra. A perfect dark shadow is an umbra.

When the full moon enters the Earth’s shadow, it darkens, but never disappears. Instead, sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere illuminates the Moon in dramatic ways, making it red. This is why the event is often called “Blood Moon”.

Depending on the weather conditions in your area, it may be rust red or brick red. This occurs because blue light undergoes stronger atmospheric scattering, so when sunlight passes through the atmosphere and is projected onto the Moon, red light becomes the most dominant color.

a A penumbral lunar eclipse will occur on May 5th For people in Africa, Asia and Australia. This less dramatic version of the lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the penumbra, or the faint outer portion of the Earth’s shadow.

a Partial Lunar Eclipse on October 28 It can be seen by people in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, parts of North America, and most of South America. A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are not perfectly aligned and only part of the Moon is in shadow.

The new year begins in North America with the Quadrantid meteor shower, which is expected to peak on the night of January 3-4. American Meteor Society.

This is the first of 12 meteor showers throughout the year, but the next Lyrid shower doesn’t peak until April.

Click here for peak days Other showers to watch 2023:

If you live in an urban area, it’s a good idea to drive to an area that isn’t littered with city lights. If you can find a spot unaffected by light pollution, meteors can be seen every few minutes from dusk to dawn.

Find an open area with a wide view of the sky. Make sure you have a chair or blanket so you can look straight up. Wait about 20-30 minutes without looking at your phone for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. — Make meteors easier to spot.