18 outstanding astronomical phenomena in 2014

Vietnamese people will observe a total of 18 amazing astronomical phenomena in 2014.

In the article published on the official website of the Vietnam Young Astronomical Society (VACA), Mr. Dang Vu Tuan Son, Chairman of the Association said that in 2014 there were many astronomical events noticeable such as the total eclipse, point The directness of the planets as well as the relatively ideal opportunity to observe many large meteor showers.

Here are the phenomena that can be observed directly in Vietnam in 2014:

Quadrantids meteor shower

The average meteor shower of the year with a maximum density of 30 to 40 meteors per hour in ideal weather conditions. Because it takes place at the beginning of the lunar month, observers in the weather areas will allow more opportunities to monitor this phenomenon. The most ideal time to observe is the morning of January 3 with the direction of the eastern sky where the Bootes constellation is located. (Quadrantids 2013).

A Quadrantid meteor shower.(Photo: Nationalgeographic)

Jupiter comes directly to the sun compared to the earth

This is the position where Jupiter is closest to the earth in its orbit and its illuminated part of the planet is most toward Earth. The observer needs support of amateur telescopes to see the largest planet in the solar system on this occasion. The phenomenon took place on January 5.

Mars comes directly to the sun compared to the earth

On April 8, at the closest position to the earth in orbit, the red planet will allow sky lovers to observe it through a telescope. With the naked eye, viewers can see Mars, as well as with Jupiter as above, but their brightness is not greater than usual.

Lyrids meteor shower

This is a small meteor shower with only about 20 meteors per hour even in relatively ideal conditions. The phenomenon takes place on April 22, 23 and coincides with the period of the half-moon moon at the end of the month, so the moonlight will cause minor obstacles to the observers.

Eta Aquarids meteor shower

This medium-sized meteor shower could allow observers to see more than 50 meteors every hour under conditions allowed. Located near the beginning of the lunar month, if the weather does not have any special changes, this phenomenon can be quite easy to observe. The ideal time is after midnight on the 5th and the morning of May 6.

Saturn comes directly to the sun through the earth

This position allows observers to see Saturn most clearly. If there is a telescope, viewers should not miss the opportunity to observe this planet and its interesting belt on May 10.

The moon approached near Mars in the sky

The two bright bodies of the night sky are only about 2 degrees apart in the sky. This is not a special phenomenon, but it will be a remarkable highlight when viewers watch the sky after sunset this day. The phenomenon took place on June 7.

Delta Aquarids meteor shower

Small meteor shower in the year on July 28, 29. However, at the end of July, the sky was less cloudy and it was not obstructed by moonlight, so it would be a favorable condition to observe.

Meteor shower Perseids

One of the two largest meteor showers of the year with a density of more than 60 meteors per hour, it peaks on August 12, 13. In 2014, the presence of the moon will obscure part of the supernova that will appear. However, if the sky is not cloudy, this will still be a very interesting astronomical phenomenon in the year. (Perseids 2013)

Perseid meteor shower glowed in 2013. (Photo: Mike Lewinski)

Neptune comes directly to the sun through the earth

This is the position where this planet comes closest to the earth in its orbit. Even so, the distance is too far, only those equipped with quite powerful telescopes can see it as a green dot in the lens. The event took place on August 29.

Uranus came to the position directly

Like Neptune, Thien Vuong is too far away, so it is only considered favorable to observe with astronomers who have the support of telescopes with high magnification and relatively high quality. The phenomenon takes place October 7.

Full moon eclipse on 8/10

This is a very remarkable phenomenon in 2014. The real moon will spread across a wide range from North America through South Africa, East Asia and Australia. Vietnam is located in an area that can observe this phenomenon.

Draconids meteor shower

On August 8, these 9/10 small meteor showers appeared at a density of only about 10 meteors per hour. On the other hand, this phenomenon coincides with the time when the full moon and moonlight obscure most of its supernova, so it is not a remarkable event for the observer.

Meteor shower Orionids

This is a medium-sized meteor shower with a density of about 30 meteors per hour. In 2014, the phenomenon will take place at the time of moonlessness, so if it is less cloudy, this will be an ideal year to observe this meteor shower. It reached its peak and October 22, 23.

Meteor shower Taurids

On the 5th, 6/11 astronomers will be watching this meteor shower. It is just a small meteor shower with less than 10 meteors every hour and occurs near the time of the full moon, so the observation becomes more difficult.

Leonids meteor shower

Leonids is a medium-sized meteor shower. In 2014, with the absence of moonlight, observers will have the ideal opportunity to monitor this phenomenon if the weather is favorable. The meteor shower took place November 17, 18.

Meteor shower Geminids

This is the largest meteor shower, it can allow observers to count over 100 meteors every hour on December 13, 14. Although the moon will obscure a number of supernovae, but it is only a little bit of heaven, it will still be a great phenomenon because the Geminids have very bright meteors, even with moonlight interference.

Ursids meteor shower

This is just a small meteor shower, but it falls into the moonless time so Ursids can still allow sky lovers to observe some of their meteor. The meteor shower took place on December 22, 23.