Happy New Year! Are you ready for some astronomy fun in 2025? First let’s take a look at Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, which was visible during October skies. Then we’ll gaze into the heavens for a meteor shower—you can start tonight!
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, otherwise known as C/2023 or Comet A3, made its closest transit past the Sun on September 27, 2024 and came within 44 million miles of Earth on October 12. I saw the bright coma from my house, but not the tails. Did you see it from your location?
Comet A3 approached the inner solar system on a highly elliptical orbit, appearing for the first time in documented human history. It was the brightest comet in 27 years; the brightest since Hale-Bopp in 1997.
The big picture: By November 2, 2024, the comet was no longer visible to the naked eye. Based on its trajectory and calculated orbit, scientists believe the comet won't be seen again for 80,000 years.
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The annual Quadrantids meteor shower will be visible between December 28 and January 12 and will peak between January 3 and 4. The meteors will be best seen in the Northern Hemisphere on January 4 at around 3am CST.
The shower is produced when the Earth passes through the debris field left behind by asteroid 2003 EH1, which may have been an extinct comet.
Meteor showers are usually named after the constellations from which they appear to originate. Unlike other showers, the constellation from which the Quadrantids gets its name—the Quadrans Muralis—is no longer recognized and is now considered part of the constellation Bootes.
The Quadrantids is known for its bright fireball meteors—larger explosions of light and color that can persist longer than an average meteor streak.
To best see the meteor shower, go to a dark location, lean back, and take in the night sky. Wait up to 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the darkness. You don’t need a telescope or binoculars, but you might need a coat!
What they’re saying: When asked about the Quadrantids, Professor Emeritus Russ Poch of Howard Community College said: “The Quadrantids Meteor Shower will be visible January 2–3, but in 2025 [the meteors] are expected to be [falling] in the low range of 60–120/hr. The moon will cooperate since it will only be a small crescent, so it won’t interfere much with viewing after midnight. Although the Quadrantids often contain a few fireballs, many people don’t observe them due to the cold weather and the time needed.”
Learn more about the Quadrantids Meteor Shower here.
More Upcoming Events in the Night Sky
Nowwy Jirawat/Shutterstock.com
In January in the Northern Hemisphere, six planets will form a giant arc in the evening sky, and in February, there will be seven: Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars. Uranus and Neptune will only be visible with a telescope or high-powered binoculars.
Here are some astronomical highlights for the upcoming months:
January 10: The Moon will be near the bright planet Jupiter.
January 13: The Moon will eclipse Mars in an event called an occultation.
January 17 and 18: Face west one hour after sunset to find Venus to the right of (dimmer) Saturn.
January 21: There will be a large evening alignment of Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, and Venus.
February 1 and March 1: One hour after sunset, the crescent moon will appear next to Venus.
February 6: The moon will appear above Jupiter, with the star Aldebaran (the eye of the Bull) below it.
February 9: The moon will appear with Mars and the Gemini Twins—Castor and Pollux.
February 28: There will be a great evening alignment of Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars.
What’s next: As the planets continue their wandering, they will begin to drop out of the evening sky; however, Jupiter will remain every evening until the end of May, and Mars will remain until early August.
Cosmic Cocoa
The best weather for stargazing yields clear skies but frigid temperatures. To ward off the chill, I offer this recipe for hot cocoa—the winner of our Christmas guests’ taste test.
For every 1 cup of (unflavored) coconut milk, add 1.5 tbsp cocoa powder, 1.5 tbsp white sugar, ½ tsp vanilla extract, and ¼ tsp cinnamon.
Heat in saucepan, stirring often.
Top with mini marshmallows. Enjoy!
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