Turn your attention to the sky this year, New Mexico, and you’ll see celestial events happening every month of 2024.
What can I expect to see in the sky in 2024?
From full moons, new moons and planets to meteor showers, eclipses and a comet, 2024 is full of astrological happenings visible to the naked eye. The new year started with a continuation of the Quadrantids meteor shower, which started on Dec. 26.
Several super and micro moons are expected throughout the year. Micro moons are when the full or new moon is at apogee, or the farthest point on its orbit away from Earth. In contrast, the super moons are when the full or new moon is at perigee, or at the closest point on its orbit to Earth.
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And along with the annual solar eclipse which will take place in October and is visible in New Mexico, there will also be two lunar eclipses and a total solar eclipse. The Penumbral Lunar Eclipse in March will show a lighter shadow around the main eclipse shadow. A partial lunar eclipse will be visible in September.
A total solar eclipse will pass through in April. According to the Time and Date website, North America will be the only continent to view the full eclipse. The site notes that the last time a total solar eclipse was visible from the entire lower 48 states in the U.S. was in August 2017 and in February 1979 prior to that.
The next time a total solar eclipse will be visible from the mainland U.S. will be in August 2044.
Another significant astronomical occurrence this year will be the Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS passing at its closest point to Earth in October. The comet was first detected in early 2023.
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According to Starwalk, the comet is expected to develop a significant tail and be particularly visible from the northern hemisphere. This favoring of the north was last seen with Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997.
The comet will pass closest to Earth on Oct. 12 and will be visible to the naked eye through mid-November.
Calendar of New Mexico celestial events in 2024
Here is a list of dates for events you can expect to see in the sky this year.
January
Dec. 26 to Jan. 16 – Quadrantids Meteor Shower (peak viewing is between 1 and 5 a.m. with an average of 25 meteors per hour)
Jan. 1 to Feb. 11 – Venus at its brightest in the morning sky
Jan. 5 to Jan. 26 – Mercury at its brightest in the morning sky
Jan. 11 – New Moon
Jan. 25 – Full Wolf Moon
February
Feb. 9 – Super New Moon
Feb. 24 – Micro Full Snow Moon
March
March 10 – Super New Moon
March 10 to March 31 – Mercury at its brightest in the evening sky
March 24 to March 25 – Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
March 25 – Micro Full Worm Moon
April
April 8 – Total Solar Eclipse
April 8 – Super New Moon
April 15 to April 29 – Lyrids meteor shower
April 15 to May 27 – Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower
April 23 – Full Pink Moon
May
May 7 – New Moon
May 23 – Full Flower Moon
June
June 6 – New Moon
June 21 – Full Strawberry Moon
July
July 5 – New Moon
July 7 to Aug. 15 – alpha Capricornids Meteor Shower
July 14 to Sept. 1 – Perseids Meteor Shower
July 18 to Aug. 21 – Southern delta Aquariids Meteor Shower
July 21 – Full Sturgeon Moon
July 23 to Nov. 19 – Neptune at its brightest
August
Aug. 4 – New Moon
Aug. 19 – Full Blue Moon
Aug. 25 to Oct. 1 – Saturn at its brightest in the evening sky
September
Sept. 2 – New Moon
Sept. 17 to Sept. 18 – Partial Lunar Eclipse
Sept. 17 – Full Corn Moon
Sept. 23 to Dec. 8 – Southern Taurids Meteor Shower
Sept. 26 to Nov. 22 – Orionids Meteor Shower
October
Oct. 2 – Annual Solar Eclipse
Oct. 2 – Micro New Moon
Oct. 5 to Dec. 31 – Venus at its brightest in the evening sky
Oct. 12 – Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS makes closest pass to Earth
Oct. 13 to Dec. 2 – Northern Taurids Meteor Shower
Oct. 15 to Dec. 21 – Uranus at its brightest in the evening sky
Oct. 17 – Super Full Hunter’s Moon
November
Nov. 1 – New Moon
Nov. 3 to Dec. 2 – Leonids Meteor Shower
Nov. 14 to Dec. 28 – Jupiter at its brightest
Nov. 15 – Full Beaver Moon
Nov. 19 to Dec. 24 – Geminids Meteor Shower
Nov. 30 – Black Moon (second full moon in one calendar month)
December
Dec. 13 to Dec. 24 – Ursids Meteor Shower
Dec. 15 – Full Cold Moon
Dec. 18 to Dec. 31 – Mercury at its brightest in the morning sky
Dec. 30 – New Moon
Dec. 31 – Mars at its brightest in the night sky
Where is the best place to view celestial events?
According to NASA, the best places to skywatch are found away from urban areas where light pollution hinders viewers’ ability to see fainter stars, planets and other objects. Open areas such as large fields, valleys, hiking trails and camping sites. However, be sure to ensure your safety before stargazing in a secluded area.
Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, LRomero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on X, formerly Twitter.
Record heat and blazing sunshine in Albuquerque make it feel like summer is already here, despite the calendar marking spring’s start on Friday.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Record heat and blazing sunshine in Albuquerque make it feel like summer is already here, despite the calendar marking spring’s start on Friday.
Residents may wonder if it’s time to prepare their coolers for the warmer days ahead. The question remains whether the cold weather is truly over.
Climate data indicates that Albuquerque’s last freeze typically occurs in April, extending into May during extreme years. However, this year has been unusually warm.
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The Climate Prediction Center’s forecast suggests that the current weather pattern, which has brought hot days, will continue into April with above-average temperatures across the Western United States and New Mexico.
While a few more freezes or cold days can’t be ruled out, the general trend for April and most of spring points to more warm temperatures.
Republican voters may have one less candidate to choose from on their June primary ballot after one candidate failed to show up to file paperwork confirming his eligibility for the primary ballot.
State Senator Steve Lanier, a first-term legislator from San Juan County, and Duke Rodriguez, a former health department secretary and cannabis business owner, both failed to earn an automatic placement on the ballot provided to candidates who earn at least 20% of party delegate votes at the Pre-Primary Convention held earlier this month. Lanier pulled in just 7% and Rodriguez earned 9%.
State Sen. Steve Lanier appeared for initial candidate filing day on Feb. 3. He missed the secondary filing day on Mar. 17. (Source: Lanier campaign FB)
But both candidates appeared to have secured enough signatures from Republican voters to qualify outside of the party’s delegate process, provided they submitted those signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office on Tuesday.
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Lanier told The Santa Fe New Mexican that he missed the deadline and would now explore legal options to get on the ballot. “We are looking at legal options and may file a challenge, given that we filed with all the necessary signatures from the start,” he said. “I am committed to helping New Mexico thrive, and to building our Republican Party in every corner of the state.”
Rodriguez submitted the required additional signatures which are being reviewed by the secretary of state for qualification.
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Pat Davis is the founder and publisher of nm.news. In a prior life he served as an Albuquerque City Councilor.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – City and state leaders are calling for the removal of César Chávez’s name from public spaces following allegations of sexual assault against him.
A New York Times article revealed claims that Chávez sexually abused multiple women and young girls who worked alongside him in the civil rights movement. The news has caused shockwaves, especially at the intersection of Avenida Dolores Huerta and Avenida César Chávez.
“Shock, um, it’s been shocking, horrified and completely incompatible and unacceptable with the values of the Latino and Chicano and Hispanic community and the civil rights movement,” said Zackary Quintero, executive director of the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Chávez, stated she was one of his victims. She described two sexual encounters with Chávez that led to pregnancies and children she hid from the public eye.
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Quintero said the role Chávez plays in Albuquerque and the state needs re-examination. “I know that a community conversation needs to take place and that we’re going to be part of that conversation,” he said. “We’re supposed to be a home for our Chicano gente, our Latino gente, our Hispano gente, to be able to meet here and talk about these kind of issues.”
Mayor Tim Keller says changes are coming to the way Chávez is remembered. “I am directing City staff to work with the community and city council to take a fresh look at how Chávez is recognized across our programs, events, committees, and spaces, and to recommend changes that honor the full truth while continuing to uplift the movement for economic justice that shaped our community,” he said.
KOB 4 asked the city what that process entails and what the economic impact could look like but a city spokesperson re-iterated the statement above saying, “The mayor has directed staff to work with the City Council and the community to determine the best steps forward.”
Speaker of the House Javier Martinez added, “The allegations against César Chávez are horrific. I pray for all of the survivors, including Dolores Huerta. I keep Dolores, her family, and the entire farmworker movement in my heart. Chávez’s name should be removed from any and all public entities, swiftly.”
It’s not just Albuquerque, there are landmarks, parks, schools and more throughout New Mexico named after Chávez. For example, the César Chávez Elementary school in Santa Fe.
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School officials said they have “an established process for considering changing a school’s name.” They also added they would review the situation but any consideration of a name change would have to go before the the Board of Education. The district’s full statement is below.
Statement from Santa Fe Public Schools:
“Santa Fe Public Schools is aware of the recent allegations concerning the namesake of Cesar Chavez Elementary School. We understand that members of our community may have questions and concerns, and we take those perspectives seriously.
Santa Fe Public Schools has an established process for considering changes to a school’s name. At this time, district staff will review the situation, gather relevant information, and evaluate next steps in accordance with district policy. Any consideration of a name change would ultimately be brought before the Board of Education for discussion and direction.
We remain committed to engaging thoughtfully with our community and ensuring that any decisions are made through the appropriate processes and with careful consideration.”
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City and state leaders are calling for the removal of César Chávez’s name from public spaces following allegations of sexual assault against him.
