Calendar of Cosmic Events: 2020-2021
Check out the dates and times for astronomical events like equinoxes, solstices, meteor showers, eclipses, supermoons, and more.
Nov 17/18: Leonid Meteor Shower
17 NovThe Leonids' shooting stars are visible between November 6 and 30, and peak on the night of November 17 and early morning of November 18, 2020 with up to 15 meteors per hour.
Nov 29/30: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
29 NovNovember ends with a penumbral eclipse of the Beaver Moon. About 82% of the Moon's face will be cloaked in the Earth's lighter, penumbral shadow, turning parts of the Moon slightly darker.
Nov 30: Beaver Moon
30 NovNovember's Full Moon is called a Beaver Moon, after beavers that build their dams during this time of the year.
Dec 13/14: Geminid Meteors
13 DecOne of the best meteor showers of the year, the Geminids peak on the night of December 13 and early morning hours of December 14, 2020, but will be visible from December 4-16.
Dec 14: Total Solar Eclipse
14 DecThis total solar eclipse will be visible from Chile and some parts of Argentina in the afternoon.
Dec 21: Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
21 DecOn December 21, Jupiter and Saturn will meet in the sky. Our solar system's two largest planets will be separated by a mere 0.1 degrees, making this the closest great conjunction in 397 years.
Dec 21: December Solstice
21 DecThe December solstice will take place at 10:02 UTC. Also known as the winter solstice, it is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the longest day of the year and is called the summer solstice.
Dec 21/22: Ursid Meteors
21 DecCatch the shooting stars of the last major meteor shower of the year, the Ursids, when it peaks between the night of December 21 and 22, 2020.
Dec 30: Cold Moon
30 DecThe year's final Full Moon in December is called a Cold Moon because of low temperatures in most locations in the Northern Hemisphere.
Astronomical Events in 2021
Jan 2: Earth's Perihelion
2JanAt 13:50 UTC, the Earth will reach its perihelion—the point on its orbit that is closest to the Sun.
Jan 3/4: Quadrantids Meteors
3JanThe first major meteor shower of 2021, the Quadrantids, peaks on the night of January 3 and early morning hours of January 4.
Jan 13: New Moon
13JanThe Moon will come between the Sun and the Earth, and the illuminated side of the Moon will face away from the Earth. A New Moon is almost impossible to see, even with a telescope.
Jan 28: Wolf Moon
28JanThe first Full Moon of the year is colloquially known as Wolf Moon in many northern cultures. A Full Moon occurs when the Sun and the Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth.
Feb 11: New Moon
11 FEBTake advantage of the New Moon to check out the night sky, weather permitting, of course.
Feb 27: Snow Moon
27 FEBFebruary's Full Moon is also known as Snow Moon in many Northern Hemisphere cultures.
March 13: New Moon
13 MarDark nights a few days before and after the Moon reaches its New Moon phase at 10:21 UTC on March 13 are the best nights to do some night sky watching.
March 20: March Equinox
20 MarThe March equinox is the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of fall in the Southern Hemisphere by astronomical definitions.
March 28: Worm Moon
28 MarMarch 2021's Super Full Moon is also the Worm Moon, named after earthworms that tend to appear around in this time in many locations in the Northern Hemisphere.
April 12: New Moon
12 AprTake advantage of a dark night sky to see the planets and Earthshine a few days before and after the New Moon.
April 22/23: Lyrid Meteor Shower
22 AprThe Lyrid meteor shower is expected to peak around April 22 and 23, depending on your location.
April 27: Pink Moon
27 AprThe Full Moon in April is sometimes known as the Pink Moon because of phlox, a pink flower, that blooms around this time in the North.
April 27: Super Full Moon
27AprApril's Pink Full Moon is also a Super Moon. Because the Full Moon takes place when the Moon is at its perigee, it will look a little larger than a usual Full Moon.
May 5/6: Eta Aquarid Meteors
6MayUse our handy Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map to increase your chances of seeing shooting stars from the Eta Aquarids.
May 11: New Moon
11MayA New Moon night is the best time to look for stars and planets in the sky. Use the Interactive Night Sky Map to find what planets are visible from your location tonight.
May 26: Super Flower Moon
26 MayThis year's Full Moon in May, also known as the Flower Moon after all the flowers that bloom around this time in the Northern Hemisphere, is a Super Moon. It may look bigger and brighter compared to other Full Moons.
May 26: Total Lunar Eclipse
26 MayThis total lunar eclipse of the Super Flower Moon will be visible from Australia, parts of the western US, western South America, and South-East Asia.
June 10: New Moon
10JuneTonight's a good time to do some star and planet gazing! A New Moon means dark skies and plenty of opportunities to look for planets and stars.
June 10: Annular Solar Eclipse
10JunePeople in northern Canada, parts of Greenland, and northeastern parts of Russia will be treated to the “ring of fire” that annular solar eclipses are famous for as the New Moon covers only the center of the Sun.
June 21: June Solstice
21JuneThis solstice is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, where it is the longest day of the year.
In the Southern Hemisphere, it's the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year.
June 24: Strawberry Full Moon
24JuneJune's Full Moon is often called the Strawberry Full Moon, after the berries that grow in the Northern Hemisphere around this time of the year.
July 10: New Moon
10JulyMake the most of a moonlight-free night to look for some stars and planets in the skies.
July 24: Buck Moon
24 JulJuly's Full Moon is also known as Thunder Moon, Hay Moon, and Wort Moon.
Aug 8: New Moon
8AugTake advantage of a moonlight-free sky and look up for some stars and planets.
Aug 12/13: Perseid Meteors
12 AugThe Perseid meteor shower is known to be one the most active and brightest meteor showers of the year. They are usually active between July 17 and August 24.
Aug 22: Blue Sturgeon Moon
22 AugAugust's Full Moon, also known as the Sturgeon Moon, is a Blue Moon. Will it be blue? Very likely, no. It is, however, be the third Full Moon in a season of four Full Moons.
Sep 7: New Moon
7SepA New Moon in the sky means no moonlight to hinder your view of stars and planets. Use the Interactive Night Sky Map to find out what planets are visible tonight and where.
Sep 21: Harvest Moon
21SepIn many Native American cultures, September's Full Moon is called the Full Corn Moon. This year, it is also the Full Moon closest to the September equinox, making it 2021's Harvest Moon as well.
Sep 22: September Equinox
22 SepAlso known as the autumnal (fall) equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, the September Equinox is considered by many as the first day of fall.
8/9 OctOct 8/9: Draconid Meteor Shower
The best time to see the shooting stars of the peaking Draconids is just after nightfall.
Oct 21/22: Orionid Meteor Shower
21 OctThe Orionids are the second meteor shower in October. The shower peaks on October 21-22 but usually remains active between October 2 and November 7. The best time to see these shooting stars is just after midnight and before the Sun rises.
Nov 4: Super New Moon
15 NovThis New Moon takes place very close to its perigee—the point on its orbit closest to the Earth.
19 NovNov 19: Micro Full Moon
The 2021 November Full Moon is a Micromoon—it occurs when the Moon is closest to its apogee.
Dec 4: Super New Moon
4 DecThis New Moon takes place very close to its perigee—the point on its orbit closest to the Earth.