Astrological events not to be missed in 2020

In 2020, nature does not disappoint sky lovers because there are many observable points not to be missed.

So we have ended an old year, an old decade with a lot of interesting astronomical events to turn into a new year, a new decade. In 2020, nature still does not disappoint sky lovers because there are still countless observable points not to be missed.

This year, we have 3 lunar eclipses, 1 solar eclipse, 1 extremely rare planetary meeting, 3 big meteor showers and many other observing events. Let's take a look at the highlights of this new year.

January 4: Quadrantid meteor shower

As usual every year, the sky in the early days of January is always beautiful by the appearance of the Quadrantid meteor shower. It is one of the three largest and most observable meteor showers of the year, with the number of meteors per hour reaching between 60 and 200 streaks.

The focus of the Quadrantid meteor shower is near the North Star cluster.(Graphic: Stellarium / Ftvh - Universe at hand).

The Quadrantid meteor shower of 2020 will reach its peak at dawn on January 4. This year, the Moon has set before midnight, leaving you with a very dark sky to observe the meteor shower.

To see the Quadrantid meteor shower, look to the east sky after midnight, where the North Big Star group of the constellation Ursa Major.

11/01, 05/06, 30/11: The half-moon lunar eclipse

Half-moon lunar eclipse.(Photo: David Dickinson).

In 2020, Vietnamese people can observe up to 3 half-moon eclipses, respectively on January 11, June 6 and November 30.

A midnight lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon enters the semi-dark region of the Earth, making it darker than usual. The half-moon lunar eclipse does not turn the surface of the Moon red like other lunar eclipses.

The following is a detailed timeline for 3 times of a half-moon eclipse observed from Vietnam in 2020.

March 24, August 13: Observing Venus best

Excluding the Sun and Moon, Venus is the brightest natural object in the sky. In 2020, we will have two best observations of the planet.

In the afternoon of March 24, Venus will appear brilliantly in the western sunset sky until after 20 o'clock.

Venus in the afternoon sky March 24, 2020.Graphics: Stellarium / Ftvh - (Universe at hand).

On August 13, after 2:30 am, we saw the planet appear in the eastern sky and then occupy that area until morning.

Venus in the bright sky 13/08/2020.(Graphic: Stellarium / Ftvh - Universe at hand).

Apart from the reason Venus is the closest planet to Earth, the planet may be so bright because thick clouds in its atmosphere reflect up to 70% of the sunlight it receives.

May 6: Eta Aquarid meteor shower

Celebrate the summer with another outstanding meteor shower. The Eta Aquarid meteor shower with about 50 meteors per hour at its peak, will make your night awake worthwhile.

The focal point of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower in the constellation Aquarius (Aquarius / Water Carrier).(Graphic: Stellarium / Ftvh - Universe at hand).

To observe this meteor shower, look to the east sky after midnight in the constellation Aquarius. That night there is the appearance of a nearly full Moon, which will affect more or less your observations.

June 21: Annular eclipse (Vietnam observes partial solar eclipse)

On the day of the Solstice day, the Eastern Hemisphere will be watching the Japanese announcer begin the new decade.

Vietnam will observe this eclipse but only with a small portion. However, if you live in China or India, this is definitely an event not to be missed.

July 14, July 20: Observing Jupiter and Saturn best

In July this year, we will be able to observe two gas giants at the same time. Jupiter is the second brightest planet in the sky after Venus. Meanwhile, Saturn with an amazingly beautiful belt system easily attracts every look.

Jupiter, Saturn and Venus in the sky over Cape Santiago, Batangas Province, Philippines.(Photo: JV Noriega).

On July 14, Jupiter will lie flat and face the Earth and the Sun. This planet will be the brightest for us to observe it best of the year.

Just a week later, July 20, Saturn's turn is in the same position and that's when we see the planet best.

The July 2020 night sky is the stage for both of the Solar System's largest planets.(Graphic: Stellarium / Ftvh - Universe at hand).

During the evenings of July, you will see these two planets as two bright dots lying close together in the sky. Use a telescope to get a closer look at the two largest planets in our Solar System.

August 13: Perseid meteor shower

Fall brings us one of the three most observable meteor showers of the year. Perseid is a massive meteor shower with an hourly number of meteors that can reach 100 streaks at its peak.

Long exposure photos capture Perseid meteor shower at Mount Shasta.Photo: Brad Goldpaint (Goldpaint Photography).

To observe this meteor shower, look to the east sky after midnight on August 13 in the constellation region of Perseus. The last moon will appear at the same time as the meteor shower, more or less disturbing to your observations.

Perseid meteor shower in 2020 with the appearance of destructive moon light.(Graphic: Stellarium / Ftvh - Universe at hand).

10/13: Best of Mars observations

Mars is the planet located near the second Earth, second only to Venus. This October, we will have the opportunity to see it most clearly. The planet is not so bright, but it has a distinctive red color that makes it easy to see in the sky.

Don't miss an appointment with Mars in October 2020. (Graphic: Stellarium / Ftvh - Space at your fingertips) .

Look to the east sky at dusk on October 13, and a bright red dot will catch your eye. If you try to observe the planet through a medium-sized telescope, you will be able to see the surface of this reddish-orange planet.

12/14: Geminid meteor shower

What could be more wonderful than when the old year ended with a heavy meteor shower.

Geminid meteor shower in the sky of Taftan Volcano, southeastern Iran.(Photo: Arman Golestaneh).

The Geminid meteor shower is one of the three most noticeable meteor showers of the year, with the maximum number of meteors per hour reaching 100 to 150 streaks.

Geminid is a big 'meteor shower' of 2020. (Graphic: Stellarium / Ftvh - The Universe in Your Hand).

To observe this meteor shower, look to the east sky after midnight on December 14 in the Gemini constellation region. It's great that this year without the appearance of harassing moonlight, you can do your best with the Geminid meteor shower in 2020.

December 21: An extremely rare festival between Jupiter and Saturn

The most notable astronomical event of the year is also the one that takes place at the end of the year. Jupiter and Saturn, after a long running race, finally came close together on the evening of December 21.

Use a telescope to see both planets more clearly on the evening of December 21, 2020.(Graphic: Stellarium / Ftvh - Universe at hand).

That night, Jupiter and Saturn will lie on the same line as the Earth. We will observe that the two are located only 7 minutes apart, that is, almost merged into one together.

The same event that happened last time was in 2000, it was 20 years before we could observe it again and the next time was in the next 20 years.