Make a resolution in 2015 to head outside and check out some of the amazing celestial issue that will be happening in the night sky . Whether you ’re an experient uranologist or just taking a look at the night sky for the first time , you ’ll need to check out these event . Nearly all of these events can be experience with the defenseless eye , but can be well enjoy with a scope or a decent set of opera glasses .
Unless otherwise observe , these events can be considerably seen from mid - latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere .
January
3 - 4 — Quadrantids Meteor Shower — The first meteor shower of the year will be seeable from January 1 - 5 , but will peak overnight on the 3rd and into the early hours of the 4th . This shower typically give rise about 40 sightings per hour , but the full synodic month on the 5th will wash out all except for the bright meteors . These meteors are odd piece of comet 2003 EH1 , and will come out to be originating from the constellation Bootes , though they may be seeable throughout the sky .
February
6 — Jupiter at Opposition — This is the good mean solar day of the year to view Jupiter , as it makes it ’s closest approach to Earth and will be fully reflecting twinkle from the Dominicus . A good pair of opera glasses or a scope will be able-bodied to see Jupiter ’s four largest moons : Io , Europa , Ganymede , and Callisto . This will be seeable in the Northern and southerly hemisphere .
22 — Conjuncture of Venus and Mars — Just after sunset , Venus and Mars will come out only one-half of a degree apart in the western sky .
March
20 — Total Solar Eclipse — The sun ’s corona will be visible around the moon when the full solar occultation tiptop on the morning of March 20th . The estimable scene of the result will be from the Atlantic Ocean near Greenland , and into the northerly contribution of Siberia . However , those living in Europe , Northern Africa , and Western Asia will be capable topartially view the eclipse .
April
4 — Total Lunar Eclipse — This is the third event of the Total Lunar Eclipse tetrad , which began in April 2015 . The lunation will pass nearly nine and a one-half minute in the penumbral or umbral stage , with just under five minutes as a full eclipse . The full view of the eclipse will be in Australia , though itcan also be viewedfrom anywhere in North America , most of South America , most of Asia , and bit of Africa .
22 - 23 — Lyrids Meteor Shower — The remnants of Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher will be visible between the 16th and 25th , with the Lyrids peaking overnight on the 22nd with up to 20 meteors per hr . The best time to view the meteor rain shower will be after midnight , just after the first one-quarter moon sets . These meteors have the voltage to be very dust-covered with bright tails that seem to hang in the line . The meteors will come along to be coming from the constellation Lyra .
May
5 - 6 — Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower — This shower is composed of cold remnants of the famed Halley ’s Comet . The long - running cascade is visible from April 19th until May 28th , but will top out overnight on May 5th with up to 30 sightings per minute . Unfortunately , the full moon from the 4th will dampen out all but the bright meteors . The meteors will seem to be coming from the configuration Aquarius . The Eta Aquarids can be seen in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres , though those in the South will have a better view .
23 — Saturn at Opposition — This will be the right night of the year to see Saturn , as it makes its closest approach and will be reflecting plenty of sunshine . A average telescope ( about 5 - 8 inches ; 13 - 20 centimeteres ) is require to see Saturn ’s rings and some of its largest and smart lunar month .
July
28 - 29 — Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower — This meteor shower bath is the remnant of two dissimilar comet , Marsden and Kracht . The shower run from July 12th through August 23rd . It will top out overnight on July 28th and into the morning of the 29th . usually , there could be as many as 20 sightings per hour , but the light from the full moon on the 31st will wash out all but the brightest meteoroid . The meteors will appear to be coming from the constellation Aquarius .
August
12 - 13 — Perseids Meteor Shower — These meteors are remnant from the Swift - Tuttle comet and are a favorite among many skywatchers . The shower can be visible from July 17th through August 24th , and will peak overnight on August 12th at 60 sightings per hour . This twelvemonth is expected to be an awe-inspiring show , as the new lunation on the 14th will make for nice , dark sky . The meteors will appear to be coming from the configuration Perseus .
September
1 — Neptune at Opposition — This will be the best day of the year to view Neptune , as it wee its closest glide slope . While more experienced stargazer with turgid , in high spirits - powered telescope may be capable to see some detail of the 8th planet , it will seem only as a blue speck to those using smaller equipment .
13 — Partial Solar Eclipse — This crescent - shaped partial solar eclipse will be peak over Antarctica , thoughit will be visibleto those living in southerly African nation as well . Remember : Do not look at the sun instantly without appropriate heart shelter .
28 — Total Lunar Eclipse — The 2014/2015 Total Lunar Eclipse tetrad will conclude on this night . The total occultation will last for over an hour andwill be visibleto those live on in North America , South America , Europe , Africa , and some constituent of Asia . The eclipse will not be visible from Australia .
October
8 - 9 — Draconids Meteor Shower — Produced by the dusty remnant of comet 21P Giacobini - Zinner , the Draconids will span from October 6 - 10 and peak overnight on the 8th . This is a small shower , with about 10 sighting per time of day . The second quarter moon will wash out many of the meteors , though the brightest may still be seeable . The meteors will seem as if they are start from the constellation Draco .
11 — Uranus at Opposition — This will be the best night of the twelvemonth to view Uranus , as it work its closest approach . Only those with large , high-pitched - power telescopes may be capable to see some detail of this amazing planet . Individuals using smaller equipment will only be able to see it as a minor teal dot .
21 - 22 — Orionids Meteor Shower — Like the Eta Aquarids , this shower is also made up of remnant from the famed Halley ’s Comet . The shower span from October 2nd through November 7th , and it will top out overnight on the 22nd with up to 20 sighting per time of day . The first after part moon will set by midnight , creating more golden conditions for see the shower . The shooting star will appear to be originating from the constellation Orion .
26 — Conjuncture of Venus and Jupiter — Venus and Jupiter are two of the bright planet in the sky and will be one academic degree off from each other on this night . They will be easily see before sunrise , looking into the easterly sky .
28 — Conjuncture of Venus , Mars , and Jupiter — establish off of the outcome with Venus and Jupiter two night before , Mars will join and create a triangle with the other planets , meet just one degree apart . The best time to view this will be just before break of the day , looking into the eastern sky .
November
5 - 6 — Taurids Meteor Shower — The Taurids is a small shower bath produced by junk from Asteroid 2004 TG10 . It has an highly long span from September 7th through December 10th . It will peak overnight on the 5th with about 5 - 10 sightings per 60 minutes . The meteor will also be compete with brightness from the second quarter moon , which will likely wash away out all but the brightest meteors . The meteors will appear to originate from the constellation Taurus .
17 - 18 — Leonids Meteor Shower — The Leonids are created by end of comet Tempel - Tuttle . The exhibitor ranges from November 6th through the 30th , though it will top out overnight on the 17th and into the other 60 minutes of the 18th with about 15 sightings per time of day . The best sentence to view it is after midnight , once the first quarter moon has put . In 2001 , the Leonids produce hundreds of sighting per hour , but we are n’t expect to see that variety of show again until 2034 . The shower will come out to rise from the configuration Leo .
December
7 — Conjuncture of the Moon and Venus — Our moon and Venus will seem to be only two degree away from one another in the early morning hour of the 7th . For the good showing , look at the eastern sky decent before daybreak .
13 - 14 — Geminids Meteor Shower — The Geminids is bring forth from the remnants of a small asteroid describe 3200 Phaethon , and is a recurrent favorite among skywatchers . The cascade cross from December 7th through the 17th , but will top out overnight on the 13th and into the early hour of the 14th with up to 120 sighting per hr . The meteors will seem multicolored , which give an added fillip to the already spectacular show . The best time to view it will be after midnight , when the moon has fix and experimental condition are dark . These shooting star will appear to spring up from the constellation Gemini .
22 - 23 — Ursids Meteor Shower — The terminal shooting star shower of the yr is triggered by remnants of the comet Tuttle . The event will sweep from the 17th through the 25th , peak overnight on the 22nd and into the early hours of the 23rd with about 10 sighting per hour . Unfortunately , the full synodic month on the 25th will wash out all but the brightest of these meteors . The shower will look to originate from the constellation Ursa Minor .
[ chapeau tip : SeaSky.org , NASA ]
