Eclipses, comets and meteor showers: Check out the celestial events viewable in 2024

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.

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. 

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.