Astronomical phenomena to look forward to in 2024

A new year has come and the sky in 2024 has phenomena waiting for observation enthusiasts such as meteor showers, Mercury reaching maximum amplitude, Saturn reaching direct opposition.

Mr. Dang Vu Tuan Son, Chairman of the Vietnam Astronomy and Cosmology Association (VACA), said that in 2024, although sky lovers in Vietnam will not have the opportunity to watch outstanding phenomena such as solar eclipses, lunar eclipses, ., the following phenomena will certainly still attract your attention.

January 3-4: Quadrantids Meteor Shower

This is an above average meteor shower, produced by debris left behind by comet 2003 EH1 - a comet discovered in 2003, although it had been observed for many years before that. It is named after the ancient constellation Quadrans Muralis, whose central region is now in the constellation Bootes.

The brilliant meteor shower is an outstanding astronomical phenomenon worth waiting for in 2024.

The best time to see this phenomenon is the early morning hours of January 4th . This year, the Moon will significantly interfere with your viewing. However, if the sky is clear, there is little pollution, and you have a little patience, you should still be able to see some remarkable light trails this New Year.

January 12: Mercury reaches its maximum amplitude in the west

The smallest and closest planet to the Sun will be at its farthest point from the Sun when viewed from Earth, making it easier to see because it is less blinded by the Sun's own light. In the early morning, you'll find it low in the eastern sky, before sunrise.

March 24: Mercury reaches its maximum amplitude in the East

Because of its short period, Mercury quickly moves to the other side of the Sun from our perspective. You will now see it in the late afternoon low in the western sky, as the Sun begins to set.

April 22-23: Lyrids Meteor Shower

This average shower is produced by debris from comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. It can usually produce over 20 meteors per hour at its peak. This year, the full moon will significantly interfere with viewing. Only in the most ideal conditions will you be able to see some of the meteors, so urban areas or other light-polluted areas are not the places to expect them.

May 6-7: Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower

This is an average shower, occurring in the constellation Aquarius. In 2024, the peak of the phenomenon falls on a time when the Moon will not be in your way. Between midnight on May 6 and early morning on May 7, look for the constellation Aquarius, with a sky that is not too polluted and has few clouds, you will be able to observe this phenomenon.

May 9: Mercury reaches its maximum amplitude in the west

June 22: Mercury reaches its maximum amplitude in the East

July 28-29: Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower

This average (or minor) meteor shower usually runs from mid-July to mid-August each year. However, it only really peaks on the evening of July 28 and early morning of July 29. It is centered in the constellation Aquarius. This year's Delta Aquarids will be significantly obscured by the Moon, so it may not be a particularly noteworthy event for skywatchers.

August 12-13: Perseids Meteor Shower

Caused by the remnants of comet Swift-Tuttle, the Perseids are one of the most notable meteor showers of the year. They run from mid-July to late August, peaking on the night of August 12 and early morning of August 13. The moon will make it a bit difficult to see on this night. However, if the sky is clear enough, you should still see some very bright meteors, and this is still a notable event in 2024. The phenomenon is centered around the constellation Perseus. At its peak, with ideal viewing conditions, the Perseids can produce between 60 and 100 meteors per hour.

August 19: Blue Moon

In fact, this is not an astronomical phenomenon, and the Moon is never blue. In some Western cultures, this full moon is called a Blue Moon because there are four full moons in the summer of 2024 (from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox), and this is the third. In other words, this is a cultural event, not a natural phenomenon.

Blue moon is a cultural event.

September 5: Mercury reaches its maximum amplitude in the West

September 8: Saturn at Opposition

This is the best time of year to see the planet. Saturn will be on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, which means it will be relatively close to Earth compared to other points in our orbit, and its illuminated side will be facing Earth the most. For those with a telescope, this will be the best opportunity of the year to see the planet and its beautiful rings.

September 20: Neptune at Opposition

The most distant planet we know of will be at opposition on the evening of September 20. Of course, it won't be visible to the naked eye, but if you have a telescope, it will be fun to locate and find it in the sky.

October 7: Draconids Meteor Shower

This is a minor meteor shower, rarely producing more than 10 meteors per hour. It is centered around the constellation Draco. Unlike other meteor showers, the best time to observe the Draconids is not at dawn, but in the evening, when you can see the constellation Draco in the northern sky. The moon will not interfere much in the early evening, so although it is a minor shower, the Draconids should be able to show you some bright meteors if the weather is good.

October 21-22: Orionids Meteor Shower

The Orionids have always been a notable annual meteor shower. They are centered around the constellation Orion, which is so easy to spot that almost anyone can spot it on a clear day thanks to the three stars in a straight line that astronomers call 'Orion's belt.' The 2024 Orionids will be difficult to see because of the moonlight, so it's probably best seen if you have a clear sky and are far away from artificial light sources.

November 4-5: Taurids Meteor Shower

This minor meteor shower in the constellation Taurus can only produce no more than 10 meteors per hour. In 2024, with the Moon having a significant influence, it won't be something you'll want to prepare yourself for. However, if you're lucky, you might see a few streaks of it somewhere in the night sky during that time.

November 16: Mercury reaches its maximum amplitude in the East

November 17: Uranus at Opposition

This is the best time to observe the planet. Although it is theoretically visible to the naked eye, it will be just a faint dot even under the most ideal viewing conditions. So, like Neptune, it will only be a notable event for observers with telescopes.

Uranus at opposition is the outstanding astronomical phenomenon of 2024.

November 17-18: Leonids Meteor Shower

This shower occurs in the region of the constellation Leo. In 2024, the Leonids will remain an average shower, producing about 30 meteors per hour at its peak. The moon will make it difficult to see. You should still be able to see a few meteors in clear skies. They can appear in all directions of the sky, but will be most concentrated in the region of the constellation Leo.

December 7: Jupiter at Opposition

On the evening of December 7, you will have the opportunity to observe Jupiter at its best time of the year. The largest planet in the Solar System will be in its most favorable position for observers from Earth. With a telescope and a clear enough sky, you will easily identify its color and the four Galilean satellites as four bright dots on either side of the planet.

December 13-14: Geminids Meteor Shower

The Geminids is considered the best meteor shower of the year, with a peak of 100 to 120 meteors per hour on clear skies. It runs throughout December, but the best time to see it is on the night of the 13th and early morning of the 14th. It is centered in the constellation Gemini. The nearly full moon will mean you will miss many of the meteors, but if the weather is good, you will still be able to see many of them.

December 21-22: Ursids Meteor Shower

This minor meteor shower will only yield a few meteors if the weather is perfect, as the Moon will obscure a significant portion of its light. It is centered in the constellation Ursa Minor, which contains Polaris, the North Star.

December 25: Mercury reaches its maximum amplitude in the west

Above are the astronomical phenomena in 2023 that you can observe when standing in Vietnam. In this list, we only list notable phenomena, events that are not special in terms of observation are not listed.