Being attuned to the universe and its celestial stargazing events fosters a sense of wonder, connectedness, and tranquility that has nourished the souls of the generations since the beginning of time.
This year’s total solar eclipse last April was a phenomenal celestial event and part of Solar Cycle 25. These cycles occur every 11 years as the Sun’s magnetic pole flips. Leading up to the peak of the solar cycle there is a period of increased solar activity — from sunspots and solar flares to spectacular northern and southern lights.
The current solar cycle began in 2019 and scientists predict it will peak sometime next summer. Then, the Sun will gradually return to a lower level of activity in the early 2030s. So, as we near the peak of Solar Cycle 25, the increased solar activity is expected to lead to more geomagnetic storms, which should enhance the visibility of meteors with added auroral activity.
The Perseids Meteor Display is predicted to be viewable late in the evening, starting around 11 p.m. local time until just before dawn on August 11, 12 and 13
Meteor showers generally happen over several days as Earth encounters a wide stream of icy particles left behind by a comet. Under a dark sky with no moon, skywatchers frequently report 90 meteors per hour, or more.
This means that next up for this year, stargazers may see an outstanding Perseids meteor display this year. Perseids is one of the most famous and reliable among about a dozen meteor shower events that happen each year.
Look northeast toward the constellation Perseus to look for the Perseids meteor display. Perseus is bordered by several constellations, including Andromeda, Aries, Taurus, Auriga, Cassiopeia, and Camelopardalis.
August 19 marks the First of Four 2024 Supermoons
A supermoon is a full moon or a new moon where the Moon comes closest to the Earth in its elliptic orbit. This results in a slightly larger-than-usual size of the lunar disk as viewed from Earth. The Super Sturgeon Moon on Monday, Aug. 19 will also be a blue moon, a rare second full moon within a single month. Super Harvest Moon is Wednesday, Sept 18. Super Hunter’s Moon is Thursday, Oct. 17. And Super Beaver Moon is Friday, Nov. 15.
Another Eclipse September 17-18
Fall Equinox is September 22
While the solar cycle is tied to the sun’s magnetic activity, the equinoxes are tied to Earth’s position relative to the sun. But the equinox is considered another great time for stargazers to enjoy a variety of celestial sights. Stargazers may see planets and constellations, or meteor showers and deep-sky objects.
The equinoxes are caused by the tilt of Earth’s axis relative to its orbit around the sun. As Earth orbits the sun, the tilt causes different parts of the planet to receive varying amounts of sunlight. And this causes the changing seasons. The Fall Equinox is one of the two points in the year when the sun is directly above the equator, the other being the Spring (Vernal) Equinox in March.
Fall Equinox has been associated with various mystical, spiritual, and cultural traditions throughout history. Ancient structures and monuments, like Stonehenge, the Pyramids of Giza and Mexico’s Chichen Itza are aligned with the equinox. And they still hold celebrations on the annual dates. The equinox represents a time of balance, as day and night are nearly equal. This balance is often interpreted as a time to seek harmony in one’s life, balancing light and dark, and reconciling opposites.
Read About the Significance of Tomorrow’s Celebrations in Tulum and Chichen Itza
