This celestial events calendar covers dates for major celestial occurrences such as moon phases, meteor showers, eclipses, oppositions, conjunctions, and other fascinating events. The majority of the astronomical events on this calendar may be viewed with the naked eye, while some may necessitate the use of a good pair of binoculars for optimum viewing. The United States Naval Observatory, The Old Farmer’s Almanac, and the American Meteor Society provided information on many of the events and dates listed here. The events in the calendar are sorted by date and are labeled with an astronomical icon, as seen below. Please keep in mind that all dates and times are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and must be adjusted to your local time. To calculate how many hours to add or subtract for your local time, use the UTC clock widget below.
New Moon on January 2nd.
The Moon will be visible in the night sky since it will be on the same side of the Earth as the Sun. At 18:35 UTC, this phase begins. Because there is no moonlight to interfere, this is the optimum time of the month to observe dim objects such as galaxies and star clusters.
The Quadrantids meteor shower will occur between January 3rd and 4th.
The Quadrantids are an above-average meteor shower, peaking at up to 40 meteors per hour. It is supposed to be caused by dust grains left behind by the 2003 EH1 comet, which was found in 2003. The shower takes place every year from January 1st to January 5th. It will be at its peak this year on the night of the 3rd and the morning of the 4th. The slender crescent moon will set early in the evening, leaving a gloomy sky for a spectacular show. After midnight, the greatest viewing will be from a dark place. Meteors will appear in the sky from the constellation Bootes, but they can appear anywhere in the sky.
Mercury is at its greatest eastern elongation on January 7.
Mercury has the highest eastern elongation from the Sun, at 19.2 degrees. It will be at its maximum point above the horizon in the evening sky, making it the optimum time to observe it. Just after sunset, look for the planet low in the western sky.
Full Moon on January 17th.
The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, with its face fully lit. At 23:51 UTC, this phase begins. This full moon was called the Wolf Moon by early Native American tribes because it coincided with the time of year when ravenous wolf packs howled outside their lodges. This moon has also been referred to as the Old Moon and the Moon Following Yule.
New Moon on February 1st.
The Moon will be visible in the night sky since it will be on the same side of the Earth as the Sun. At 05:48 UTC, this phase begins. Because there is no moonlight to interfere, this is the optimum time of the month to observe dim objects such as galaxies and star clusters.
Full Moon on February 16th.
The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, with its face fully lit. At 16:59 UTC, this phase begins. Because the heaviest snows normally fell around this time of year, early Native American tribes dubbed this full moon the Snow Moon. Because hunting is difficult, some tribes referred to this moon as the Hunger Moon because the bad weather made hunting difficult.
Mercury is at its greatest western elongation on February 16th.
Mercury has the greatest western elongation from the Sun, at 26.3 degrees. It will be at its maximum point above the horizon in the morning sky, making this the best time to observe it. Just before sunrise, look for the planet low in the eastern sky.
New Moon on March 2nd.
The Moon will be visible in the night sky since it will be on the same side of the Earth as the Sun. At 17:38 UTC, this phase begins. Because there is no moonlight to interfere, this is the optimum time of the month to observe dim objects such as galaxies and star clusters.
Full Moon on March 18th.
The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, with its face fully lit. At 07:20 UTC, this phase begins. This full moon was known as the Worm Moon by early Native American tribes because it was the time of year when the ground began to soften and the earthworms reappeared. This moon has also been referred to as the Crow Moon, Crust Moon, Sap Moon, and Lenten Moon.
March 20th is the March Equinox.
The March equinox takes place at 15:24 UTC. The Sun will shine directly on the equator, and the Earth will experience approximately equal quantities of day and night. This is also the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere (vernal equinox) and the first day of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere (autumnal equinox).
New Moon on April 1st.
The Moon will be visible in the night sky since it will be on the same side of the Earth as the Sun. At 06:27 UTC, this phase begins. Because there is no moonlight to interfere, this is the optimum time of the month to observe dim objects such as galaxies and star clusters.
Full Moon on April 16th.
The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, with its face fully lit. At 18:57 UTC, this phase begins. This full moon was called the Pink Moon by early Native American tribes because it coincided with the arrival of the moss pink, or wild ground phlox, one of the first spring flowers. The Sprouting Grass Moon, the Growing Moon, and the Egg Moon have all been given to this moon. Because this was the period when the shad swam upstream to spawn, several coastal cultures dubbed it the Fish Moon.
Lyrids Meteor Shower, April 22-23.
The Lyrids are a typical shower, generating about 20 meteors per hour at their peak. It is caused by dust particles left behind by the comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, discovered in 1861. The shower takes place every year from April 16 to April 25. This year, it reaches its apex during the night of the 22nd and the morning of the 23rd. These meteors can occasionally leave behind dazzling dust trails that extend for several seconds. Although the fading gibbous moon may obscure some of the fainter meteors this year, there is still hope for a good show. After midnight, the greatest viewing will be from a dark place. Meteors will originate in the constellation Lyra, but they can appear anywhere in the sky.
Mercury is at its greatest eastern elongation on April 29.
Mercury has the highest eastern elongation from the Sun, at 20.6 degrees. It will be at its maximum point above the horizon in the evening sky, making it the optimum time to observe it. Just after sunset, look for the planet low in the western sky.
30th of April – New Moon.
The Moon will be visible in the night sky since it will be on the same side of the Earth as the Sun. At 20:30 UTC, this phase begins. Because there is no moonlight to interfere, this is the optimum time of the month to observe dim objects such as galaxies and star clusters.
SE2022Apr30P.GIF (1121×1452) (nasa.gov)
The 30th of April will see a partial solar eclipse.
A partial solar eclipse happens when the Moon covers only a portion of the Sun, sometimes resembling a cookie bite. Only with a specific solar filter or by staring at the Sun’s reflection can a partial solar eclipse be safely witnessed. Most of the southeast Pacific Ocean and southern South America will be able to see this partial eclipse. Argentina will have the best view, with 53% coverage.
Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower, May 6–7.
The Eta Aquarids are an above-average shower, with a peak rate of up to 60 meteors per hour. The majority of the activity is observed in the Southern Hemisphere. The pace in the Northern Hemisphere can approach 30 meteors per hour. It is caused by dust particles left behind by the comet Halley, which has been detected since antiquity. The shower takes place every year from April 19 to May 28. This year, it reaches its height between the night of May 6 and the morning of May 7. The waxing crescent moon will set early in the evening, leaving gloomy skies for a spectacular display. After midnight, the greatest viewing will be from a dark place. Meteors will appear in the sky from the constellation Aquarius, however, they can occur anywhere in the sky.
Full Moon on May 16th.
The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, with its face fully lit. At 04:15 UTC, this phase begins. Because this was the time of year when spring flowers bloomed in abundance, early Native American tribes dubbed this full moon the Flower Moon. This moon has also been referred to as the Milk Moon and the Corn Planting Moon.
Total Lunar Eclipse on May 16th.
A total lunar eclipse happens when the Moon entirely passes through the Earth’s dark shadow, known as the umbra. The Moon will progressively darken and finally turn a rusty or blood-red appearance during this sort of eclipse. The eclipse will be visible in North America, Greenland, the Atlantic Ocean, and parts of western Europe and western Africa.
30th of May – New Moon.
The Moon will be visible in the night sky since it will be on the same side of the Earth as the Sun. This phase begins at 11:32 a.m. UTC. Because there is no moonlight to interfere, this is the optimum time of the month to observe dim objects such as galaxies and star clusters.
Full Moon, Supermoon on June 14th.
The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, with its face fully lit. This phase begins at 11:52 a.m. UTC. This full moon was called the Strawberry Moon by early Native American tribes because it signified the time of year to harvest ripening fruit. It also happens to coincide with the peak of the strawberry picking season. This moon has also been referred to as the Honey Moon and the Rose Moon. This is also the first of three 2022 supermoons. The Moon will be close to its closest approach to Earth and may appear slightly larger and brighter than usual.
Mercury is at its greatest western elongation on June 16th.
Mercury has the greatest western elongation from the Sun, at 23.2 degrees. it will be at its maximum point above the horizon in the morning sky, making this the best time to observe it. Just before sunrise, look for the planet low in the eastern sky.
June 21 is the Summer Solstice.
At 09:05 UTC, the June solstice occurs. The Earth’s the North Pole will be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its northernmost point in the sky, directly over the Tropic of Cancer at 23.44 degrees north latitude. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is the first day of summer (summer solstice), while in the Southern Hemisphere, it is the first day of winter (winter solstice).
The 29th of June is the New Moon.
The Moon will be visible in the night sky since it will be on the same side of the Earth as the Sun. At 02:53 UTC, this phase begins. Because there is no moonlight to interfere, this is the optimum time of the month to observe dim objects such as galaxies and star clusters.
Full Moon, Supermoon on July 13th.
The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, with its face fully lit. At 18:38 UTC, this phase begins. This full moon was called the Buck Moon by early Native American tribes because it was the time of year when male buck deer began to grow their new antlers. The Thunder Moon and the Hay Moon are two more names for this moon. This is the second of three supermoons scheduled for 2022. The Moon will be close to its closest approach to Earth and may appear slightly larger and brighter than usual.
The 28th of July is a New Moon.
The Moon will be visible in the night sky since it will be on the same side of the Earth as the Sun. At 17:55 UTC, this phase begins. Because there is no moonlight to interfere, this is the optimum time of the month to observe dim objects such as galaxies and star clusters.
Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower, July 28-29.
At its peak, the Delta Aquarids shower can generate up to 20 meteors every hour. It is caused by comet debris left behind by Marsden and Kracht. The shower occurs every year from July 12 to August 23. This year, it reaches its apex during the night of July 28 and the morning of July 29. This is an outstanding year for this shower because the new moon guarantees a dark sky for what should be a spectacular display. After midnight, the greatest viewing will be from a dark place. Meteors will appear in the sky from the constellation Aquarius, however, they can occur anywhere in the sky.
Full Moon, Supermoon on August 12th.
The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, with its face fully lit. At 01:36 UTC, this phase begins. Early Native American tribes referred to this full moon as the Sturgeon Moon because huge sturgeon fish in the Great Lakes and other major lakes were more easily obtained at this time of year. This moon has also been referred to as the Grain Moon and the Green Corn Moon. This is also the third and last supermoon of 2022. The Moon will be close to its closest approach to Earth and may appear slightly larger and brighter than usual.
Perseid Meteor Shower, August 12-13.
At its height, the Perseids meteor shower produces up to 60 meteors every hour, making it one of the best meteor showers to see. It is caused by Swift-Tuttle, a comet discovered in 1862. The Perseid meteor shower is well-known for producing a significant number of brilliant meteors. The shower occurs every year from July 17 to August 24. This year, it reaches its apex between the night of August 12 and the morning of August 13. Unfortunately, this year’s almost full moon will obscure all but the brightest meteors. The Perseids, on the other hand, are so bright and plentiful that they may still be a good spectacle. After midnight, the greatest viewing will be from a dark place. Meteors will originate in the constellation Perseus, but they can appear anywhere in the sky.
Saturn is in opposition on August 14th.
The ringed planet will be closest to Earth, and its face will be completely illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than at any other time of year and visible all night. This is an excellent moment to observe and photograph Saturn and its moons. Saturn’s rings and a few of its brightest moons can be seen with a medium-sized or bigger telescope.
The New Moon occurs on August 27th.
The Moon will be visible in the night sky since it will be on the same side of the Earth as the Sun. At 08:17 UTC, this phase begins. Because there is no moonlight to interfere, this is the optimum time of the month to observe dim objects such as galaxies and star clusters.
Mercury is at its greatest eastern elongation on August 27.
Mercury has the highest eastern elongation from the Sun, at 27.3 degrees. It will be at its maximum point above the horizon in the evening sky, making it the optimum time to observe it. Just after sunset, look for the planet low in the western sky.
Full Moon on September 10th.
The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, with its face fully lit. At 09:58 UTC, this phase begins. Because corn is harvested around this time of year, early Native American tribes referred to this full moon as the Corn Moon. This moon is often referred to as the Harvest Moon. The Harvest Moon is the full moon that comes each year closest to the September equinox.
Neptune is in opposition on September 16.
The blue giant planet will be closest to Earth, and its face will be completely illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than at any other time of year and visible all night. This is the greatest time of year to observe and photograph Neptune. Because of its great distance from Earth, it will only be visible as a small blue dot in all but the most powerful telescopes.
The September Equinox occurs on September 23rd.
At 00:55 UTC, the September equinox occurs. The Sun will shine directly on the equator, and the Earth will experience approximately equal quantities of day and night. This is also the first day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere (autumnal equinox) and the first day of spring in the Southern Hemisphere (vernal equinox).
New Moon on September 25th.
The Moon will be visible in the night sky since it will be on the same side of the Earth as the Sun. At 21:55 UTC, this phase begins. Because there is no moonlight to interfere, this is the optimum time of the month to observe dim objects such as galaxies and star clusters.
Jupiter is in opposition on September 26.
The massive planet will be closest to Earth, and its face will be completely illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than at any other time of year and visible all night. This is the greatest time of year to observe and photograph Jupiter and its moons. Some of the features of Jupiter’s cloud bands should be visible with a medium-sized telescope. Jupiter’s four largest moons, which look like bright spots on either side of the planet, should be visible with a good pair of binoculars.
The Draconids meteor shower occurs on October 7.
The Draconids are a tiny meteor shower that only produces about 10 meteors every hour. It is caused by dust grains left by comet 21P Giacobini-Zinner, which was discovered in 1900. The Draconids are an unusual shower in that the optimum viewing occurs in the early evening rather than early morning, as is the case with most other showers. The rain occurs every year from October 6 to 10 and peaks this year on the night of October 7th. This year, the first quarter moon will block out all but the brightest meteors. If you’re patient, you might still catch a few nice ones. The greatest viewing will be from a dark area far away from city lights in the early evening. Meteors will originate in the constellation Draco, but they can appear anywhere in the sky.
Mercury is at its greatest western elongation on October 8th.
Mercury has reached its greatest western elongation of 18 degrees from the Sun. It will be at its maximum point above the horizon in the morning sky, making this the best time to observe it. Just before sunrise, look for the planet low in the eastern sky.
Full Moon on October 9th.
The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, with its face fully lit. At 20:55 UTC, this phase begins. The Hunters Moon was named by early Native American tribes because the leaves are falling and the game is fat and eager to hunt at this time of year. This moon has also been referred to as the Blood Moon and the Travel Moon.
The Orionid meteor shower occurs on October 21st and 22nd.
At its peak, the Orionids shower can produce up to 20 meteors every hour. It is caused by dust grains left behind by the comet Halley, which has been known and watched since antiquity. The shower takes place every year from October 2 to November 7. This year, it reaches its apex on the night of October 21 and the morning of October 22. The small, crescent moon will leave primarily dark skies for a spectacular display. After midnight, the greatest viewing will be from a dark place. Meteors will originate in the constellation Orion, but they can appear anywhere in the sky.
New Moon on October 25th.
The Moon will be visible in the night sky since it will be on the same side of the Earth as the Sun. This phase begins at 10:49 a.m. UTC. Because there is no moonlight to interfere, this is the optimum time of the month to observe dim objects such as galaxies and star clusters.
The 25th of October will see a partial solar eclipse.
A partial solar eclipse happens when the Moon covers only a portion of the Sun, sometimes resembling a cookie bite. Only with a specific solar filter or by staring at the Sun’s reflection can a partial solar eclipse be safely witnessed. Parts of western Russia and Kazakhstan will be the finest places to witness this partial eclipse. With more than 80% coverage, it will be best observed from central Russia.
Taurids Meteor Shower, November 4th and 5th.
The Taurids are a long-running small meteor shower that produces 5-10 meteors every hour. It is unique in that it is made up of two distinct streams. The dust grains left behind by Asteroid 2004 TG10 cause the first. The debris left behind by Comet 2P Encke causes the second stream. The shower takes place every year from September 7 to December 10. This year, it reaches its apex on November 4th. The almost full moon will block out all but the brightest meteors this year. However, if you are patient, you may still catch a few good ones. The greatest viewing will be shortly after midnight from a dark area away from city lights. Meteors will appear in the sky from the constellation Taurus, however, they can occur anywhere in the sky.
Full Moon on November 8th.
The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, with its face fully lit. This phase begins at 11:03 a.m. UTC. This full moon was called the Beaver Moon by early Native American tribes because it was the time of year to place beaver traps before the swamps and rivers froze. The Frosty Moon and the Dark Moon are two more names for it.
Total Lunar Eclipse on November 8th.
A total lunar eclipse happens when the Moon entirely passes through the Earth’s dark shadow, known as the umbra. The Moon will progressively darken and finally turn a rusty or blood-red appearance during this sort of eclipse. Eastern Russia, Japan, Australia, the Pacific Ocean, and areas of western and central North America will all be able to see the eclipse.
Uranus is in opposition on November 9th.
The blue-green planet will be closest to Earth, and its face will be completely illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than at any other time of year and visible all night. The best time to see Uranus is now. Due to its distance, all but the most powerful telescopes will only see it as a tiny blue-green dot.
The Leonids meteor shower occurs on November 17th and 18th.
The Leonids are a typical shower, releasing up to 15 meteors per hour at their peak. This shower is remarkable in that it has a cyclonic peak every 33 years, with hundreds of meteors per hour seen. The most recent of these occurred in 2001. The Leonids are caused by dust grains left behind by Tempel-Tuttle, a comet discovered in 1865. The shower takes place every year from November 6 to November 30. This year, it reaches its peak on the night of the 17th and the morning of the 18th. This year, the second quarter moon will obscure many of the fainter meteors. However, the Leonids are unpredictable, so there is still hope for a good performance. After midnight, the greatest viewing will be from a dark place. Meteors will appear in the sky from the constellation Leo, however, they can occur anywhere in the sky.
The New Moon occurs on November 23rd.
The Moon will be visible in the night sky since it will be on the same side of the Earth as the Sun. At 22:58 UTC, this phase begins. Because there is no moonlight to interfere, this is the optimum time of the month to observe dim objects such as galaxies and star clusters.
Full Moon on December 8th.
The Moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, with its face fully lit. At 04:09 UTC, this phase begins. Because this is the time of year when the chilly winter air settles in and the evenings become long and dark, early Native American tribes dubbed this full moon the Cold Moon. This moon has been dubbed the Long Nights Moon and the Moon Before Yule.
Mars is in opposition on December 8th.
The red planet will be closest to Earth, and its face will be completely illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than at any other time of year and visible all night. This is the greatest time of year to observe and photograph Mars. Some of the dark details on the planet’s orange surface can be seen with a medium-sized telescope.
Geminid meteor shower, December 13-14.
The Geminid meteor shower reigns supreme. Many believe it to be the best meteor shower in the sky, with up to 120 multicolored meteors each hour at its peak. It is caused by debris from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which was found in 1982. The shower takes place every year from December 7 to December 17. This year, it reaches its apex during the night of the 13th and the morning of the 14th. This year, the declining gibbous moon will obscure many of the fainter meteors. The Geminids, on the other hand, are so abundant and dazzling that this should still be a good show. After midnight, the greatest viewing will be from a dark place. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Gemini but can appear anywhere in the sky.
December 21 is the Winter Solstice.
At 21:40 UTC, the December solstice occurs. The Earth’s South Pole will be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its southernmost point in the sky, squarely over the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.44 degrees south latitude. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is the first day of winter (winter solstice), while in the Southern Hemisphere, it is the first day of summer (summer solstice).
Mercury is at its greatest eastern elongation on December 21.
Mercury has the highest eastern elongation from the Sun, at 20.1 degrees. It will be at its maximum point above the horizon in the evening sky, making it the optimum time to observe it. Just after sunset, look for the planet low in the western sky.
Ursids Meteor Shower, December 21-22.
The Ursids are a small meteor shower that produces 5-10 meteors each hour. It is caused by dust grains leftover from the comet Tuttle, which was discovered in 1790. The shower takes place every year from December 17 to December 25. This year, it reaches its apex on the night of the 21st and the morning of the 22nd. This year, the nearly new moon will leave a gloomy sky for a spectacular display. The greatest viewing will be shortly after midnight from a dark area away from city lights. Meteors will appear in the sky from the constellation Ursa Minor, but they can occur anywhere in the sky.
New Moon on December 23rd.
The Moon will be visible in the night sky since it will be on the same side of the Earth as the Sun. This phase begins at 10:17 a.m. UTC. Because there is no moonlight to interfere, this is the optimum time of the month to observe dim objects such as galaxies and star clusters.
