The year 2020 has a lot of celestial events lined up. Let’s see what major celestial events are going to rock this year.
A ‘Solstice Ring Of Fire Eclipse’
We recently had a solar eclipse on the 25 of December 2019 but the one going to happen 2020 will be special. You’ll need to wear glasses that are specially made to see the solar eclipses. On 21 June 2020, you’ll see the Moon circled by a bright light. This might lead to dim light levels and people may get to see the Sun’s corona. It’s going to be one of the best celestial events of all time.
The eclipse will be a very short one (23 seconds) and will be visible in Oman, Tibet, and Ethiopia.
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14 December 2020- A Total Solar Eclipse
You will get to see one of the most brilliant celestial events put on by nature. It will look as if the sky has a hole! On this day, the central shadow of the Moon will take only twenty-four minutes to surpass Argentina and Chile.
The centerline of this path of totality will be in Lake District, southern Chile and Patagonia region, Argentina. People on this centerline will see this total eclipse for two minutes and nine seconds.
4 Lunar Eclipses
These eclipses will be very easy to see and won’t be dramatic. This is because during these eclipses the Sun, Moon and the Earth are not fully in a straight line.
The 1 such lunar eclipse happened on 10 January. It was called the Wolf Moon Eclipse. Countries of Africa, Australia, and Asia were able to see it.
Image: JAMIE CARTER
The 2 one will take place on 5 June. The Strawberry Moon Eclipse will also be visible in the regions of Australia, Asia, and Africa. This one will be hard to see.
5 July 2020 will witness the Thunder Moon Eclipse. The countries in South and North America and Africa will be able to see it. It may very well go unnoticed due to a very small percentage of the Moon being shadowed.
And lastly, 29 or 30 November will be the Frosty Moon Eclipse. It will be seen in East Asia, Australia and North and South America. This one will be about 83% visible.
3 Supermoons To See
Supermoons are the Full Moons that are at a distance of 223,694 miles or less from the Earth’s center. We will see 3 such supermoons this year. The 1 will be visible on 9 March, called Super Worm Moon.
Then on 8 April, Super Pink Moon will be visible. And on 7 May, you can see the Super Flower Moon.
Look for them in the east when the Moon rises and in the west when the Moon sets.
Saturn-Jupiter In ‘Opposition’ To Earth
Image: NASA, ESA, A. SIMON (GODDARD SPA
Being an inner planet, the Earth comes between the Sun and every outer planet for a day, each year. The outer planet on such a day looks brightest when seen from the Earth. On July 14, Jupiter will be in opposition while on 20 July, Saturn will be in the same position.
Three Meteor Showers
They will be- Lyrids on 21 or 22 of April, Leonids on November 16 or 17 and Geminids on 13 or 14 December. These may be easier to watch as the Moon will most likely stay out of their way.
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A Rare ‘Great Solstice Appulse’
This is one of the rare celestial events that last happened in the year 2000 and will next happen in 2040. The 2 planets- Jupiter and Saturn will come super close on 21 December 2020, after sunset. This is called an appulse or great conjunction. We will see the 2 planets as one on this day.
Doesn’t 2020 sound like an incredibly happening and fun year? Get ready to witness all the celestial events!