![]() Sometimes during a solar eclipse, when the moon moves in front of the sun, the moon is close enough to Earth and big enough in the sky that it covers the disk of the sun entirely, creating a total solar eclipse. Because the moon is farther away, it appears smaller and does not block the entire view of the sun.ĭue to a remarkable cosmic coincidence, the moon and the sun are the correct sizes and distances away to appear roughly the same size in the sky. June 21 - Annular Solar EclipseĪn annular eclipse happens when the moon is farthest from Earth. Later in the year, on July 10, Venus will again shine at near its brightest, but this time in the morning sky just before sunrise. But even with the naked eye, Venus will be nearly impossible to miss. ![]() Due to the positions of Earth, Venus and the sun, our sister planet actually appears brightest in Earth’s skies when it is about 25 percent illuminated. With a telescope, you can see the disk of Venus and the planet’s changing phases, much like the moon. During or near this time, Venus will hit its maximum magnitude for 2020, shining brighter than at any other point during the year. Eastern Time on April 27, Venus will hit its greatest illuminated extent, meaning the illuminated part of Venus covers the greatest area of sky, according to EarthSky. Significantly brighter than any other planet or star, Venus provides a unique observing experience for amateur sky watchers and professional astronomers alike.Īt 9 p.m. The “evening star” will rise in the west after sunset during this month, no matter where you are in the world. Venus, the brightest natural object in the sky after the sun and moon, will shine in full force during late April. Indigo Skies Photography via Flickr under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Venus shines brightly in the night sky over Victoria, Australia, with the Milky Way visible above. April 27 - Venus Shines Brightest in the Sky And on February 20, the moon will pass close to Saturn. If you happen to be in Antarctica or the southern tip of South America, you can catch the moon occulting Jupiter on February 19. In the western United States during the early morning hours of February 18, sky watchers will be able to see the moon pass over Mars, according to EarthSky. Between February 18 and 20, the moon will pass close to each of these planets, making it easier, no matter where you are, to find them in the night sky and perhaps snag some photos of the planets next to the moon.ĭepending on where you are in the world, you might even be able to see the moon occult, or pass in front of, Mars and Jupiter. In late February, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will line up in the night sky, providing an opportunity to view all three with a pair of binoculars or a telescope, or to simply enjoy the three planets with the naked eye. JeffGamble via Flickr under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Mars passes 0.3 degrees from the waning gibbous moon on July 17, 2003. ![]() ![]() February 18 - The Moon Passes in Front of Mars These ten astronomical events in 2020 could provide the perfect opportunity to travel to a dark sky reserve, such as central Idaho or the Mackenzie Basin of New Zealand, to take in the natural splendor of the Milky Way. Even as light pollution continues to threaten the future of observational astronomy, national parks and other conservation institutions are creating dark sky parks to preserve the precious resource of a clear night sky. Armed with a pair of binoculars, a simple telescope, or even just the naked eye, astronomy enthusiasts can witness some of the most spectacular phenomena in the night sky if they know when and where to look. Every year, meteor showers dazzle viewers, eclipses reveal the orbital balance of our planet with the sun and moon, and the other worlds of the solar system move across the sky against the backdrop of distant stars. ![]()
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