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Keep Your Eye On the Sky for These 5 Astronomical Events in 2017

Keep Your Eye On the Sky for These 5 Astronomical Events in 2017

May 30, 20171686Views

The solar system never fails to wow its inhabitants several times a year, and the astronomical events in 2017 are primed to produce the spectacular yet again. Grab your telescope and some blankets, and be sure not to miss these 5 shows put on by the night sky.

solar eclipse
Photo from Jongsun Lee/Unsplash

1. Total Solar Eclipse

August 21

Starting with a bang, this eclipse will cast a shadow across the United States ranging from Oregon to South Carolina, making it the first solar eclipse since 1918 to cross the entire country. It is truly the most exciting of the astronomical events in 2017. Be sure you protect yourself with eclipse glasses or a solar filter. Staring at an eclipse is even more dangerous than staring at a full sun, because the perceived darkness in the center prevents your eyes from involuntarily protecting themselves.

2. Venus and Jupiter Kiss

November 13

It’s okay, you don’t have to close your eyes for this one. At dawn on this day, Venus and Jupiter will pass by each other very closely in the night sky. As they are already 2 of the most prolific sites in the sky, the kiss makes for a unique viewing opportunity.

3. Leonid Meteor Shower

November 17

Just days later, the kiss will produce some fireworks in the form of the Leonid meteor shower. The 2017 shower is projected to offer 10-20 visible meteors per hour.

4. Supermoon

December 3

A supermoon is a full moon that occurs when the moon is closer to the earth, creating higher tides and what appears to be a slightly larger moon. Catch it early while still on the horizon to witness an optical illusion of perceived size that has led to centuries of debate.

5. Geminid Meteor Shower

Meteor Shower feature
Photo from Fernando Rodrigues/Unsplash

December 13

You won’t have to wait long after the supermoon for more astronomical events in 2017. Just 10 days later, the Geminid meteors will enter the atmosphere and shower 60-120 flashes of brilliance per hour during peak times. To make viewing just a little bit easier, the waning crescent moon will depart the skies completely by midnight.

Featured Image from Fernando Rodrigues/Unsplash