Look up because the night skies are going to be buzzing with activity. Here's a glimpse at what's in store.
The Quadrantids Meteor Shower January 3-4
The annual Quadrantids will be 2023's first meteor showers. Also known as the 'Quads', they are a debris trail of the asteroid 2003 EH1 that was discovered twenty years ago. The fireball meteors of the Quads are longer and brighter than typical meteors. They will be spread over two days and will peak over a couple of hours, between January 3 and 4. Expect around 60-200 meteors each hour.
Hybrid Solar Eclipse April 20
A rare hybrid total/annular eclipse, which alters appearance as the Moon's shadow travels across the Earth, will be visible in April. There will only be seven of those kind of eclipses this century. This event will be seen by observers from Australia, Indonesia, and East Timor surrounding areas will experience a partial solar eclipse.
Perseid Meteor Shower Peak August 13
One of the most well-known and numerous meteor showers of the year is the Perseids. Up to 100 meteors can be produced every hour by it. This year, the Perseids peak occurs two days before the New Moon, making for ideal viewing circumstances. The Northern Hemisphere, where the radiant is constantly above the horizon, is where most people may see this meteor shower.
The Biggest Full Moon of 2023 August 31
The Supermoon, which will occur on August 31, will be the year's brightest and most noticeable full moon because it will approach Earth more closely than other full moons. Additionally, it will be a Blue Moon (the second full moon in a calendar month). Make sure to get outside and go for a moonlit stroll.
Annular Solar Eclipde October 14
If you've been planning a trip to the US or South America, book your tickets for October. That's when a solar eclipse will be visible over the North and South American continents. People in America, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil will be able to see the Moon's dazzling solar annulus, also known as a "ring of fire." There will be a partial eclipse visible from the rest of the Western Hemisphere.