We have our best views of Mars only once every two years. And that time is approaching! Watch for the moon near Mars in the next few days … and join us LIVE TUESDAY (12:15 p.m. CST or 18:15 UTC on November 19, 2024) for charts and more about Mars. By the way, another test launch of the SpaceX Starship, a vehicle designed to take us to Mars, is scheduled to happen later in the day on November 19, too. We’ll be talking about that and more! Click in for a “notify me” button.
Mars can appear bright or faint in our sky. 2024 has been mostly a faint year, but Mars has been steadily brightening. It’s beginning to get bright! The time to start observing Mars for this two-year period is here.
Mars is growing brighter as Earth catches up with Mars, in our smaller, faster orbit around the sun. The next opposition of Mars – when Earth will pass between it and the sun, bringing Mars closest and brightest – will come in January 2025.
By the end of 2024, Mars will shine brightly at -1.2 magnitude. That’s brighter than most stars! Start watching it now.
Mars in 2024
Opposition for Mars last fell on December 7-8, 2022. That’s when our planet Earth last flew between Mars and the sun. Mars will reach opposition again in January 2025. Throughout November 2024, Mars has been growing brighter. It’s now easy to spot late at night or in the morning before dawn. How to see Mars in the sky: Mars will be shining at magnitude -0.3 by the end of November. It’ll also be rising several hours after sunset by month’s end. Note: Mars reaches opposition about every 26 months, or about every two Earth-years. So Mars alternates between appearing bright and faint in our sky. It was bright in late 2022 and early 2023. But by September 2023, Mars faded dramatically in brightness and disappeared in the sunset glare in October 2023. It last passed behind the sun on November 18, 2023. It’s now racing toward its January 2025 opposition.
Watch for Mars late at night on November 18 and 19, 2024, when the waning moon will slide near red it. The moon and Mars will be a striking sight near the twin stars of Gemini: Castor and Pollux. They’ll rise several hours after sunset the night before and be visible on the mornings of November 19 and 20. Also, catch our Mars livestream on Tuesday, November 19.
Chart via EarthSky.
Mars and the Beehive: November 20-21
Late on the evening of November 20, 2024, you’ll see the waning moon close to the red planet Mars. Those with dark skies can also see the faint Beehive star cluster nearby. In a dark sky, the Beehive is possible glimpse-able with the eye alone and an easy target with binoculars … but best when the moon moves out of the way. Also nearby are two bright stars, the twin stars of Gemini, named Castor and Pollux. They’ll all rise in the middle of the night and be visible through dawn on November 21.
Chart via EarthSky.
Binoculars will help show the Beehive star cluster next to the waning moon late night of November 20-21.
Binocular view of the moon and Beehive. Chart via EarthSky.
Mars chart for November
In November 2024, red Mars will lie near the twin stars of Gemini: Castor and Pollux. And it’ll make a beeline toward the Beehive star cluster. It’ll rise in the late evening and will be obvious in the sky before dawn.
Chart via EarthSky.
Sometimes, Mars is faint
Mars last reached opposition on December 8, 2022. It remained bright through early 2023, then started to rapidly fade through the end of the year. Mars reached superior conjunction – when it passed behind the sun as viewed from Earth – on November 18, 2023. It began 2024 as a faint object, far across the solar system from us. But now Mars is getting bright again.
The geometry of Mars’ orbit is such that it spends much longer periods of time at large distances from the Earth than it does close to us, which provides an added incentive to observe it in the weeks around the opposition. When it passes opposition, every 2 years, Mars appears large and bright for only a few weeks. Here’s a comparison of the apparent size of Mars when seen at its closest opposition, around its opposition in 2025, and at its farthest opposition. Also shown is how Mars appears when it’s most distant from the Earth at solar conjunction. Image via Dominic Ford/ In-The-Sky.org. Used with permission.
Sometimes, Mars is bright
Mars’ dramatic swings in brightness (and its red color) are why the early stargazers named Mars their God of War.
Sometimes the war god rests. And sometimes he grows fierce! These changes are part of the reason Mars is so fascinating to watch in the night sky.
When Mars passes opposition, every 2 years, it appears large and bright for only a few weeks. The panel above shows the change in Mars’ apparent size from November 20, 2024, to March 12, 2025. Mars will appear 14.6 arcseconds wide on January 15, 2025. Image via Dominic Ford/ In-The-Sky.org. Used with permission.
As Mars races towards its next opposition in January 2025, it’ll grow in apparent size and increase in brightness. Chart via Guy Ottewell’s 2024 Astronomical Calendar. Used with permission.
Mars isn’t very big
To understand why Mars varies so much in brightness in Earth’s sky, first realize that it isn’t a very big world. It’s only 4,219 miles (6,790 km) in diameter, making it only slightly more than half Earth’s size (7,922 miles or 12,750 km in diameter).
On the other hand, consider Mars in contrast to Jupiter, the biggest planet in our solar system. Jupiter is 86,881 miles (140,000 km) in diameter. As an illustration, more than 20 planets the size of Mars could be lined up side by side in front of Jupiter. Basically, Jupiter always looks bright, because it’s so big.
Not so for little Mars, however. Rather, its extremes in brightness have to do with its nearness (or lack of nearness) to Earth.
Mars isn’t very big, so its brightness – when it is bright – isn’t due to its bigness, as is true of Jupiter. Mars’ brightness, or lack of brightness, is all about how close we are to the Red Planet. It’s all about where Earth and Mars are, relative to each other, in their respective orbits around the sun. Image via NASA.
Future Martian oppositions
As mentioned above, the next opposition of Mars – when will appear at its brightest in Earth’s sky for that two-year period – will be January 2025. Check out the chart on this page that lists all oppositions of Mars from 1995 to 2037.
There’s a 15-year cycle of Mars, whereby the Red Planet is brighter and fainter at opposition. In July 2018, we were at the peak of the 2-year cycle – and the peak of the 15-year cycle – and Mars was very, very bright! In 2020, we were also at the peak of the 2-year cycle; however, Earth and Mars were farther apart at Mars’ opposition than they were in 2018. Still, 2020’s opposition of Mars was excellent. And, in December 2022, Mars had a good opposition but appeared smaller and dimmer than in 2020, since we were farther away from it. And the January 2025 opposition will find Mars smaller and dimmer than Mars was in 2022. Diagram by Roy L. Bishop. Copyright Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Used with permission. Visit the RASC eStore to purchase the Observer’s Handbook, a necessary tool for all skywatchers.
EarthSky Community Photos
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Paolo Bardelli of Italy made this composite image and said: “On January 16, 2025, Mars will be in opposition, the previous one occurred on December 8, 2022, when it became the brightest object in the night sky. During these periods, tracing the apparent motion of the Red Planet from evening to evening is very interesting, as a real “noose” is created, with a double reversal of its movement. This put ancient sky observers in crisis at the time when the geocentric theory was dominant. Putting things in their place, it turned out to be a simple perspective effect, due to the mutual motion of Earth and Mars. This image is the sum of a sequence taken every useful evening, clouds permitting, from August 12, 2022, to March 22, 2023. The background is the sum of 22 shots of the area of the sky where Mars was located, the rich star field of the constellation del Toro (Taurus). By coincidence, in February 2023 the path of comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) crossed the noose.” Thank you, Paolo!
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Miguel Ventura in Fafe, Portugal, captured this image on August 28, 2022, and wrote: “Every now and then and in addition to its natural beauty, the night sky and the whims of the universe offer us moments like this. With some planning and luck in the mix (truce from the clouds) I was able to photograph this magnificent alignment. We can see the Pleiades and the constellation of Taurus with the planet Mars between these 2 … below near the horizon the imposing constellation of Orion appears, announcing the autumn sky.” Thank you, Miguel!
Seeing red
Mars appears as a reddish light in the sky and, therefore, is often called the Red Planet. Other obvious red dots in the sky are reddish-orange Aldebaran and the famous red supergiant Betelgeuse. So, it is fun to contrast Mars’ color and intensity of red with that of Aldebaran or Betelgeuse.
And then there is red Antares. Antares is Greek for rival of Ares, meaning rival of Mars. Antares is sometimes said to be the anti-Mars due to its competing red color. For a few months every couple of years Mars is much brighter than Antares. Also, every couple of years Mars passes near Antares, as if taunting the star. Mars moves rapidly through the heavens and Antares is fixed to the starry firmament.
What makes them red?
Surface temperature is what determines the colors of the stars. The hottest stars are blue and the coolest stars are red. In fact, from hottest to coolest, the colors of stars range from blue, white, yellow, orange and red. And while the colors of stars might be hard to detect, some stars – like Aldebaran, Antares and Betelgeuse – are noticeably colorful.
On the other hand, Mars appears red for a different reason. It’s red because of iron oxide in the dust that covers this desert world. Iron oxide gives rust and blood its red color. Rovers on Mars sampled the Martian dust and determined it contains three colors: reds, browns and oranges. So those three colors are what you may see when you gaze upon Mars.
Do you see red when you look at Mars, Aldebaran, Antares and Betelgeuse? Are they the same color? Do you see any other colors of stars?
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Nancy Ricigliano captured Mars from Long Island, New York, on October 6, 2020, when it was closest to Earth. Thank you, Nancy. See more photos of Mars at its closest in 2020.
Bottom line: Mars is getting bright! And it has shifted into the evening sky. By the end of 2024, it’ll become much more noticeable. Its opposition, when it’ll be brightest for this two-year period, will fall in January 2025.
Jeremy Likness in Newport, Oregon, captured the Pleiades star cluster on January 16, 2024. Jeremy wrote: “Can’t get enough of these winter sapphires.” Thank you, Jeremy! Reflection nebulae around the hot blue luminous stars of the Pleiades give them an eerie and spectacular glow. Read more about open star clusters below.
Open star clusters
Open star clusters are young, loosely bound gatherings of stars. The stars in these clusters were born together. They’re still sometimes moving within the nebula, or cosmic cloud, of their creation. They’re occasionally called galactic clusters. Scientists have discovered more than 1,100 open clusters around us in space. They may contain a handful of stars or thousands of stars. Most likely won’t survive more than several orbits around our galaxy’s center before being disrupted and dispersed. You can see many open star clusters with the eye alone! Or you can aim binoculars or telescopes their way…
Pleiades is a gem among open star clusters
The Pleiades cluster (M45) is a wonderful open cluster in the constellation Taurus the Bull. A favorite observing target, the Pleiades stands out to the eye alone as a fuzzy patch that resembles a tiny dipper. About six stars are visible with the unaided eye. Through binoculars, the view explodes into dozens of stars.
What about globular star clusters?
By the way, open star clusters are not to be confused with tightly bound globular star clusters. Globular clusters are ancient and far away, orbiting in the halo of the Milky Way. In fact, globular clusters formed about 13 billion years, when the Milky Way was forming. In contrast, open clusters are typically only millions of years old.
One of the best-known globular clusters seen from the Northern Hemisphere is the Great Cluster in Hercules (M13). It’s about 25,000 light-years away. Contrast the M13’s large distance to that of the relatively nearby Pleiades (444 light-years).
Not an open cluster. Mario Rana in Hampton, Virginia, captured globular cluster M13 on June 10, 2023. He wrote: “Globular cluster M13 in the constellation Hercules. The object at the bottom left corner is spiral galaxy NGC 6207.” Thank you, Mario!
Distance to open star clusters makes a difference
The distance to a star cluster will affect its appearance to us on Earth. Open star clusters are recognizable as a concentration of stars in one area of the sky. These conglomerations of light – such as the Pleiades or the Wild Duck Cluster (M11) – are obvious to telescope and binocular users. Many are obvious through binoculars when you are skimming along the Milky Way.
But what about star clusters that are closer to Earth?
Some Big Dipper stars are members of an open cluster
The familiar Big Dipper asterism is part of an open cluster. These stars are all about 80 light-years away and belong to a loosely assembled open star cluster known as the Ursa Major Moving Group. The Big Dipper is an example of a cluster that’s so close that it wasn’t immediately identifiable as a cluster. First, astronomers had to learn about the motions of stars in various parts of the sky. Then, they understood the Ursa Major Moving Group was an open cluster.
The Big Dipper, just like other open clusters, will grow apart as it ages. Alkaid and Dubhe, two stars in the Big Dipper, are not part of the Ursa Major Moving Group. Those two stars will stretch away from the rest and the dipper shape will become obscured, forming a new shape, just as many thousands of years ago the stars looked more like a kite with a long tail than its current dipper shape.
Some of the stars of the Big Dipper are part of an open cluster called the Ursa Major Moving Group. Susan Jensen captured this image on September 6, 2024, and wrote: “Right place, right time! Standing on a gravel road in the middle of nowhere, looking across a stubble field. This slow-moving, vibrant meteor stopped me in my tracks! I was shooting the Big Dipper with the shutter locked to catch multiple frames for stacking when this monster did a slow flyby. How lucky that I was able to capture it!” Thank you, Susan!
Watch how the Big Dipper changes over time
Hyades is another star cluster in Taurus
The V-shaped Hyades star cluster in the constellation Taurus the Bull is another excellent open cluster to target with the eye alone. The Hyades is so large you could not hope to capture the entire cluster within the field of view of binoculars or a telescope. Instead, binocular and telescope-users examine the cluster bit by bit.
The Hyades marks the head of Taurus the Bull. It is a large open star cluster in the shape of the letter V and is visible during northern winter (southern summer). This open star cluster is a group of 300 to 400 stars that lie about 151 light-years away from us, thus making it one of the nearest open clusters to Earth. With the unaided eye under moderately good seeing conditions, an observer should be able to see five stars that mark the two sides and juncture of the V.
The stars of Hyades
The five brightest stars in the Hyades are all red giants, but you’ll notice one shines much more brightly than the others. The brightest star in Hyades – and in the constellation Taurus – is Aldebaran. Aldebaran marks the top left side of the bull’s head. If Aldebaran is also a red giant star, why does it look so much brighter than the rest of the group? The reason is that it’s not a member of the Hyades cluster. It just happens to lie in the same line of sight. At 65 light-years distant, Aldebaran is 2 1/2 times closer than the rest of the cluster.
The Hyades open star cluster forms the V-shaped face of the Bull in Taurus. The bright red star Aldebaran isn’t a true cluster member. Another open star cluster, the Pleiades, is nearby. Image via EarthSky.
The busy Beehive cluster
The Beehive star cluster is another famous example of an easy-to-see open star cluster. The Beehive lies at the center of the constellation Cancer the Crab and is also known by the names M44 or Praesepe, which is Latin for manger.
At magnitude 3.7, the Beehive Cluster can be tricky to spot from a light-polluted area because of how diffuse it is; it’s spread out more than twice the size of a full moon. Using only your eyes, the open cluster will appear as a misty patch of light. Binoculars will help you focus in on a handful of stars. If you’re using a telescope, make sure to use a low-power eyepiece because the stars will spill out of your field of view.
Astronomers have found that the Beehive Cluster contains at least 1,000 stars, but only a fraction of them are visible with amateur equipment. By the way, Galileo saw 40 with his rudimentary telescope. Also, at least two planets are now known to be orbiting stars in the Beehive Cluster.
The cluster is about 730 million years old and lies approximately 577 light-years away from us. The Beehive’s age and direction of proper motion through space are similar to the Hyades cluster. This suggests that these two clusters probably had a common origin in a nebula that existed 800 million years ago.
The Beehive finder chart
Look for the Beehive open star cluster between the 2 brightest stars of the constellation Gemini the Twins, Castor and Pollux, and the star Regulus in the constellation Leo. Image via EarthSky.
David Hoskin in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, captured the star cluster Messier 44 in the constellation Cancer on December 9, 2023. David wrote: “The Beehive is an open star cluster in the constellation Cancer. It consists of about 1,000 stars and is one of the nearest open clusters to Earth.” Thank you, David!
Bottom line: Open clusters are loosely bound gatherings of stars that may be so young that the nebulae they were born in is still visible. The Pleiades, Hyades, and the Beehive are well-known examples of open clusters.
Watch for the short-lived Draconid meteor shower at nightfall and early evening on October 7, 2024. The expected peak is overnight on October 7-8. And you might watch the evening of October 8, too. Just be aware that the Draconid meteor shower is a real oddity, in that its radiant point will be highest in the sky as darkness falls. That’s why you’ll see more Draconids in the evening hours than in the morning hours after midnight. This chart faces northward at nightfall in October. The meteors radiate from what are known as the Dragon’s Eyes – the stars Eltanin and Rastaban – in the constellation Draco. Do you need to find the radiant point to enjoy the shower? Not at all. Just go to a dark sky location on the evenings of October 7 and 8, and look up!
The Draconid shower – also called the Giacobinids – is a real oddity, in that its radiant point stands highest in the sky as darkness falls. That’s why you’ll see more Draconids in the evening hours than in the morning hours after midnight. The parent comet of this shower – Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner – is headed for perihelion March of 2025. Does that mean we’ll see a storm of Draconid meteors this year? Possibly. There are also predictions of possible short outbursts in 2024, between 6:30 and 7 UTC on October 8, which would be favorable for North America.
Predicted peak: The peak is predicted** for 3 UTC on October 8, 2024. When to watch: The best time to watch the Draconids in 2024 is the evening of October 7 through the wee hours of the morning on October 8. The waxing crescent moon (27% illuminated) will set a few hours after sunset. So you can watch for meteors in a moonless sky. Overall duration of shower: October 6 through 10. Radiant: Highest in the sky in the evening hours. See chart below. Nearest moon phase: First quarter moon is 18:55 UTC on October 10. So the sky will be relatively moon-free for the Draconids in 2024. Expected meteors at peak, under ideal conditions: Under a dark sky with no moon, you might catch 10 Draconid meteors per hour. Best in the evening: The Draconid shower is a real oddity, in that the radiant point stands highest in the sky as darkness falls. That means that, unlike many meteor showers, more Draconids are likely to fly in the evening hours than in the morning hours after midnight. This shower is usually a sleeper, producing only a handful of languid meteors per hour in most years. But watch out if the Dragon awakes! In rare instances, fiery Draco has been known to spew forth many hundreds of meteors in a single hour. That possibility keeps many skywatchers outside – even in moonlight – during this shower. Draconid meteor storm possibilities this year? Keep reading …
Draconid meteor storm this year or next?
The Draconids meteor shower’s parent comet, the object responsible for the dust we see burning up in our atmosphere, is the small periodic comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. This comet comes about as close to the sun as Earth does. Then it ventures back just past the orbit of Jupiter before returning 6.6 years later.
The debris from the comet is not scattered uniformly around its orbit. Much of it is still bunched near the comet. Therefore, when the comet comes back into our neighborhood, it can produce a spectacular meteor shower known as a meteor storm: hundreds or even thousands of meteors per hour. This happened in 1933 and 1946, with several thousand meteors an hour. In the years 1985, 1998 and 2018, it produced increased counts but not meteor storms. European observers saw over 600 meteors per hour in 2011.
The last perihelion of the comet was September 10, 2018. On that same night, Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner came closer to Earth than it had in 72 years. Consequently, the Draconids had an outburst in 2018. See photos of the comet as it swept safely past.
The next perihelion passage of Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner will be on March 29, 2025. That’s about six months from now. And it means the comet, and its bunched-up debris, are relatively near Earth now. The comet and its debris will be relatively near Earth in October of 2025, too. What does it mean? Will we see a storm of Draconids this year or next? Probably not … but you never know. EarthSky asked Robert Lunsford of the American Meteor Society. He told us:
The Draconids are quite unpredictable, but if anything surprising were to happen, it would be either this year or next. For 2024, there are predictions of possible short outbursts between 6:30 and 7:00 UTC on October 8, which would be favorable for North America. The waxing crescent moon will give a little interference, but at least it is located low in the southwestern part of the sky. There are more predictions in 2025, but the moon is near full plus the timing is not favorable for North America.
The Draconids’ parent comet – Comet Giacobini-Zinner – is relatively close to us in 2024. Chart via TheSkyLive.com.
Where is the radiant point?
The radiant point for the Draconid meteor shower is near the stars Eltanin and Rastaban in the head of the constellation Draco the Dragon in the northern sky. Its far-north location is why the Draconids are best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere. See the two charts above.
The Draconids are best in the evening, because the winged Dragon, the shower’s radiant point, flies highest in the October sky at nightfall. As night passes – no matter where you are on Earth – the radiant point sinks lower in your sky.
You don’t have to locate Draco the Dragon to watch the Draconids. These meteors fly every which way through the starry sky. But finding Draco is fun and relatively easy. The two charts in this article show you two easy ways to find it. You can star-hop either from the Big Dipper or from the Summer Triangle.
More about the Draconids’ parent comet
Michel Giacobini visually discovered the comet that now bears his name on December 20, 1900, in the evening sky, from the Nice Observatory in France. The comet was faint and in the southern part of the constellation Aquarius. Giacobini was using a 46-centimeter (18-inch diameter lens) refractor telescope, the largest telescope for comet hunting at the time. Though 21P/Giacobini-Zinner is periodic – with a 6.6-year orbit around the sun – observers missed it at its next return.
Then, on October 23, 1913, Ernst Zinner of Germany found the comet while looking at variable stars. This was his only comet discovery.
The International Cometary Explorer visited this comet in September 1985, making it the first comet to be visited by a space probe.
Draconid meteor shower has a rich history, too
Astronomers in the early 20th century speculated that meteors and comets were related. So of course they tried to link various comets to the spectacular showers of meteors that sometimes rain down in Earth’s sky.
Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner was a particularly tempting object about which to make predictions. Remember, it returns every 6.6 years, and its closest point to the sun is about the same as Earth’s distance.
And Comet Giacobini-Zinner didn’t disappoint the astronomers.
The relationship between 21P/Giacobini-Zinner and its meteors – so studied and discussed among professional astronomers in the early 20th century – probably explains why the Draconid meteor shower sometimes goes by the name Giacobinids.
For a taste of history related to this shower, go to the Astronomy Abstract Service from the Smithsonian and NASA. Find a 1934 article called The Meteors from Giacobini’s Cometby C.C. Wylie. It’s an account of the famed meteor storm of 1933.
Draconid meteor shower from the Southern Hemisphere?
It’s possible to view the Draconids from the Southern Hemisphere. But if you’re so far south that the radiant point in the constellation Draco doesn’t rise above your horizon, or rises only briefly, you won’t catch many.
As seen from the Southern Hemisphere, you would have to be rather close to the equator in order to see Draco’s stars. Suppose you live in northern Australia – say Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia – which is at 12 degrees south latitude. If so, you’d be able to see the stars Rastaban and Eltanin very close to your north-northwestern horizon at nightfall in early October (given an unobstructed northern horizon). These stars would set fairly early in the evening. And so you wouldn’t see the head of Draco again until nightfall the following evening.
Why early evening? It’s because, no matter where you live worldwide, the head of Draco reaches upper transit (highest point in your sky) at around 5 p.m. your local time in early October.
Thus, from latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere – even those as far north as northern Australia – you’d have a very narrow window for seeing meteors. If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, and you’re really wanting to see a Draconid, try looking as soon as it gets really dark on October 7 and 8. And don’t expect much.
Those at southerly latitudes will have a tough time finding the Big Dipper at this time of the year. Instead, star-hop from the Summer Triangle to locate Eltanin and Rastaban near the Draconids’ radiant point. At nightfall in October, look overhead for the Summer Triangle. Draw an imaginary line from Altair through Vega in the Summer Triangle. That line will point to Eltanin and Rastaban.
Draconid meteor photos from the EarthSky community
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | David Cox in Deep River, Ontario, Canada, captured this photo of star trails and a Draconid meteor on October 8, 2021. He wrote: “Polaris time lapse captured a single, impressive Draconid meteor streak over the Ottawa River at Deep River, Ontario, Canada, early in the evening of October 8, 2021.” Thank you, David!Photo composite – 5 Draconid meteors in less than an hour – on October 7, 2017, from Stephanie Longo at Pike National Forest in Tarryall, Colorado. Thanks, Stephanie!
Bottom line: In 2024, the Draconid meteor shower – also called the Giacobinids – will probably produce the most meteors on the evening of October 7 and through the early hours of October 8. Will this be the year we see a meteor storm?
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is increasing in brightness. And observers around the world are reporting that as of this weekend, they’re starting to just barely detect the comet with the unaided eye. Even the tail is visible without optical aid. However, Comet A3 is not yet obviously visible to the unaided eye for most casual observers. But the best should be yet to come!
Currently, binoculars provide the best views of the magnificent tail and nucleus. On recent mornings, the tail looks quite long. You can even take your own measurements of how long the comet’s tail looks. For example, if you take a good look through a pair of binoculars that has a 5-degree field of view, and you can see the tail extending about 3/5 of that field, you’re seeing around 3 degrees of the tail. And that means you are seeing with your own eyes a cometary tail that looks as long as six moon diameters!
Helpful tips to spot the comet
If you’re having problems finding the comet, first make sure you’re looking at the correct direction and time. During the final days of September and up to around October 1 and 2, Comet A3 is visible very low near the eastern horizon just before sunrise. Start looking when the sky is still dark, but close to dawn, or 45 to 60 minutes before sunrise. Make sure there aren’t hills, trees or buildings blocking your view east.
Another alternative is to use your cell phone’s camera. Most cell phone cameras provide a night or low-light mode. But it requires the camera to be firmly held or leaned against a fixed object to avoid shaky or blurred images. So take a few pictures facing east just before sunrise. These images accumulate the light for a few seconds, helping the comet show up clearly in your images.
As you review the images, zoom in to get a better look and bingo, you’ll find the comet. Then, after knowing exactly where the comet is, you can take new, closer images or at different magnifications. Although the comet may appear small in wide angle images, the resolution may appear good enough.
Once you’ve located the comet, take a good look at that area in the sky. You may discover that, in fact, you can see both the comet and its tail with your eye alone.
Victor Rivera took this image of Comet A3 using just his cell phone camera on Saturday, September 28, 2024, in Isabela, Puerto Rico. Used with permission.
Eddie Irizarry took these 3 images of Comet A3 – one every 2 days this week – showing the tail looking increasingly longer. Used with permission.
A bright comet for September and October?
The rumors of Comet A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS’s demise were premature. Earlier in 2024, there were reports that the comet was breaking up. But instead, the comet is now coming into morning skies and appears to be in good shape. Its current brightness would put it just within reach of the unaided eye from a dark country site, at magnitude 3. With ordinary binoculars, it should be possible to pick out now. And it’s getting brighter.
Despite the previous reports that the comet might be disintegrating, the latest observations by sun-observing satellites and amateur astronomers indicate the comet is still very much alive. In fact, comet expert Terry Lovejoy was able to photograph the comet on the morning of September 11, 2024, from Queensland, Australia. He used a camera with a 135mm f1.8 lens.
Meanwhile, observer Colin Drescher was also able to capture some of the first recovery images using just a small digital telescope. And other reports of the comet are coming in from Atlanta, Georgia, to Chile and Puerto Rico.
Here’s Comet A3 as it will be seen from Miami, Florida, around September 27, 2024. On this date the comet is at perihelion, or closest to the sun. To see it, face east just before sunrise with an unobstructed view to the horizon. In case the comet is still too dim to be visible to the unaided eye during perihelion, better opportunities should occur around mid-October, when the comet is closest to Earth and thus brighter. Image via Eddie Irizarry/ Stellarium.
How bright will it get?
Comets are unpredictable. And there’s no way to know at this time exactly how bright Comet A3 will become. But preliminary estimates suggest it might reach magnitude 4 to 3 (the lower the number, the brighter) around the time of its closest approach to the sun – or perihelion – on September 27.
The exciting part might come afterwards. It could grow as bright as magnitude 2.5 to 2 during closest approach to Earth on October 12. Or maybe even slightly brighter if we are lucky (or fainter if we’re unlucky), since comet behavior is so difficult to predict.
So Comet A3 isn’t going to be a Comet of the Century. But if it continues to perform well, it might be the brightest comet of the year.
Efrain Morales captured this image of Comet A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Puerto Rico on July 8, 2024. Image via Efrain Morales/ Eddie Irizarry.
How to see Comet A3 in September
Observers in the Southern Hemisphere had the best seats to view the comet during the first half of September. Observers closer to Earth’s equator will get their first opportunities by the end of the month.
One caveat: observers would require a clear, unobstructed view of the eastern horizon.
By the end of September, Comet A3 will gradually make the transition from the brief dawn appearance to the western skies at dusk. It may become visible starting around October 12, which is the date of closest approach to Earth. If it survives its encounter with the sun, the comet should put on a good show by mid-October.
Michael Mattiazzo captured this image of Comet A3 from Australia on September 17, 2024. Thank you, Michael! Used with permission.
Comet A3 in October
After the comet gets closest to the sun, it will swing around near Earth. But as it does so, it passes almost directly between Earth and the sun, making it challenging to view. In early October, the comet will be in the dawn sky in Leo and near the constellations Hydra and Crater.
Starting from October 13 to 14, Comet A3 will be easier to spot on the following evenings. That’s thanks to the comet’s great speed, which will cause it to appear higher in the western sky on the following nights.
Then in late October, as it appears on the other side of the sun, it will move into the evening sky, passing through Serpens Caput and into Ophiuchus.
The turquoise line represents the path of Comet C/2023 A3 into the inner solar system. The comet will be closest to the sun on September 27, 2024, and closest to Earth in October 2024. Image via University of Arizona/ CSS/ D. Rankin.
Finder charts for Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS
Comet C/2023 A3 on September 27, 2024 (perihelion). Facing east just before sunrise. Illustration by Eddie Irizarry using Stellarium.
If we are fortunate, the comet will grace our sky from October 14 to 24. Look to the west shortly after sunset for Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
Comet C/2023 A3 on October 14, 2024, one day after closest approach to Earth. Facing a western unobstructed horizon just after sunset. Illustration by Eddie Irizarry using Stellarium.
Around October 17, 2024, comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) might be easier to see in the western sky, as the comet gets higher each subsequent night. Illustration by Eddie Irizarry using Stellarium.
A speedy ball of ice and dust
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is blazingly speedy. It’s tearing through the inner solar system at 180,610 miles per hour (290,664 kph) or 80.74 km per second relative to Earth. With a small telescope, you can actually see its amazing speed. You can watch the comet’s location gradually change by comparing its exact position against background stars just 15 minutes later.
Comet A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS hasn’t been acting as people expected it to. As it was approaching the inner solar system in early 2024, it wasn’t brightening as much as expected. And then a study suggested the cometary nucleus was fragmenting.
The paper’s author, Zdenek Sekanina, a Czech-American astronomer and comet expert at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said, on July 8, 2024, that the comet entered an advanced phase of fragmentation. He said the end of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS was inevitable.
However, comets are notorious for being erratic and unpredictable. And this one proved to be as well.
Discovery and naming
The Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in South Africa discovered Comet C/2023 A3 on February 22, 2023. Additionally, observers at Purple Mountain (Zijin Shin or Tsuchinshan) Observatory in China found the comet independently on images from January 9, 2023. Therefore, the comet also has the nickname Tsuchinshan-ATLAS.
At discovery, the comet was still 7.3 astronomical units (AU) from the sun, and shining at a dim magnitude 18.
Preliminary analysis of its trajectory suggests comet “A3” completes an orbit around the sun every 80,660 years.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Filipp Romanov captured these images showing movement of the new comet, originally labeled A10SVYR, and now officially C/2023 A3. Filipp took these images confirming the new comet with remote iTelescopes in Chile and Australia on February 24, 2023. Thank you, Filipp!
Neptune will be at its closest approach to Earth on Saturday, September 21. To the naked eye, it will just be a speck of light, but if you have a telescope, you’ll get a better view, it will be fully illuminated by the sun.
On September 23, the moon will creep close to Jupiter. Look towards the southeastern horizon after sunset.
On September 25, the moon makes its way to Mars. With binoculars or a small telescope, you should be able to see the Martian surface.
Next week, the comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS will be near the sun and may be visible!
Title image of Jupiter’s largest moons, from left to right: Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto. Credit: NASA
September brings the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn back into view, along with their satellites. And while we organize celebrations to observe our own Moon this month, be sure to grab a telescope or binoculars to see other moons within our Solar System! We recommend observing these moons (and planets!) when they are at their highest in the night sky, to get the best possible unobstructed views.
The More the Merrier
As of September 2024, the ringed planet Saturn has 146 identified moons in its orbit. These celestial bodies range in size; the smallest being a few hundred feet across, to Titan, the second largest moon in our solar system.
The Saturnian system along with various moons around the planet Saturn: Iapetus, Titan, Enceladus, Rhea, Tethys, and Dione. Credit: Stellarium Web
Even at nearly 900 million miles away, Titan can be easily spotted next to Saturn with a 4-inch telescope, under urban and suburban skies, due to its sheer size. With an atmosphere of mostly nitrogen with traces of hydrogen and methane, Titan was briefly explored in 2005 with the Huygens probe as part of the Cassini-Huygens mission, providing more information about the surface of Titan. NASA’s mission Dragonfly is set to explore the surface of Titan in the 2030s.
This mosaic of Saturn’s moon Enceladus was created with images captured by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft on Oct. 9, 2008, after the spacecraft came within about 16 miles (25 kilometers) of the surface of Enceladus. Credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute.
Saturn’s moon Enceladus was also explored by the Cassini mission, revealing plumes of ice that erupt from below the surface, adding to the brilliance of Saturn’s rings. Much like our own Moon, Enceladus remains tidally locked with Saturn, presenting the same side towards its host planet at all times.
The Galilean Gang
The King of the Planets might not have the most moons, but four of Jupiter’s 95 moons are definitely the easiest to see with a small pair of binoculars or a small telescope because they form a clear line. The Galilean Moons – Ganymede, Callisto, Io, and Europa – were first discovered in 1610 and they continue to amaze stargazers across the globe.
The Jovian system: Europa, Io, Ganymede, and Callisto. Credit: Stellarium Web
Ganymede: largest moon in our solar system, and larger than the planet Mercury, Ganymede has its own magnetic field and a possible saltwater ocean beneath the surface.
Callisto: this heavily cratered moon is the third largest in our solar system. Although Callisto is the furthest away of the Galilean moons, it only takes 17 days to complete an orbit around Jupiter.
Io: the closest moon and third largest in this system, Io is an extremely active world, due to the push and pull of Jupiter’s gravity. The volcanic activity of this rocky world is so intense that it can be seen from some of the largest telescopes here on Earth.
Europa: Jupiter’s smallest moon also happens to be the strongest candidate for a liquid ocean beneath the surface. NASA’s Europa Clipper is set to launch October 2024 and will determine if this moon has conditions suitable to support life.
Be sure to celebrate International Observe the Moon Night here on Earth on September 14, 2024, leading up to the super full moon on September 17th!
Today, the August full Moon will be a Supermoon which occurs when the Moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth. They are the biggest and brightest full Moons of the year. Although it will not look blue, this will be a Blue Moon. The first recorded use of “Blue Moon” in English dates from 1528. The Moon will appear bigger and brighter for three days, (Sunday morning through early Wednesday morning). The full Moon of August is traditionally called the “Sturgeon Moon.” The name Sturgeon Moon comes from the giant lake sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain; this native freshwater fish was readily caught during this part of summer and an important food staple for Native Americans who lived in the region. At one time the lake sturgeon was quite abundant in late summer, though they are rarer today.
Jupiter and Mars are found in the east before sunrise throughout August 2024. Jupiter is brighter than Mars. At the beginning of August, Mars layed higher in the sky than Jupiter. By the morning of August 14, they’re in conjunction, shining next to each other as dawn breaks. At this point, Jupiter passes Mars. It continues ascending high in the eastern predawn sky so that, by the end of August, Mars will shine from below Jupiter.
Jupiter and Mars to pair up August 14
Bright Jupiter and red Mars have been near each other in the east before sunup all month. And – if you watch tomorrow – you’ll get to see Jupiter sideswipe Mars in a conjunction. They’ll be closest on Wednesday, August 14. Afterwards, Mars will be creeping higher in the predawn sky, brightening slowly. Jupiter will ascend faster, pulling rapidly away from Mars, steadily moving toward the evening sky and its early December 2024 opposition.
Jupiter and Mars are in front of the constellation boundary of Taurus the Bull. There are many splendid things to see in Taurus. This conjunction will be fun!
The two are not far from the misty Pleiades star cluster.
The big event: Jupiter and Mars conjunction
The closest pairing of this planetary duo will come on the morning of August 14. That’s when bright gas giant Jupiter will get a visit from rocky red Mars on our sky’s dome. Then, the little planet will appear less than the width of a full moon from Jupiter. They’ll look close on our sky’s dome. In reality, the two will remain more than 300 million miles (500 million km) apart, even though they are next-door neighbors in our solar system.
Using just the unaided eye, the bright white light of Jupiter will contrast nicely with the dimmer and distinctly redder shine of Mars. In binoculars, Jupiter’s moons will enhance your enjoyment of the view. And this conjunction will be a great event for telescope owners and astrophotographers. You’ll be able to capture both planets in one view and thoroughly examine these remarkably different worlds.
You don’t need binoculars to see red Mars near bright Jupiter, but binoculars will enhance the view. Watch for Jupiter and Mars at their closest in the early morning hours of August 14. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
Chart from UK astronomer Guy Ottewell
The following chart is from beloved U.K. astronomer Guy Ottewell. He’s perhaps the world’s greatest living night sky illustrator! You’ll find more charts like this for 2024 in his Astronomical Calendar.
Look for the Jupiter and Mars conjunction in the morning sky. The planets will be in the constellation Taurus. Chart via Guy Ottewell’s 2024 Astronomical Calendar. Used with permission.
Heliocentric solar system view of the planets in August 2024
Here’s more from Guy Ottewell … a heliocentric view of the solar system from above for August when Jupiter and Mars will appear close together in the morning sky.
Heliocentric view of solar system, August 2024. Chart via Guy Ottewell’s 2024 Astronomical Calendar. Used with permission.
Bottom line: The Jupiter and Mars conjunction in the morning sky is tomorrow, August 14! They’ll be closest in the east on the sky’s dome early in the morning.
As July 2024 opens, Jupiter and Mars are near the waning crescent moon, and near each other, in the east before sunup. See the chart above. And – if you watch in the coming weeks – you’ll get to see Mars sideswipe Jupiter in a conjunction that’ll culminate on August 14. Start watching the two neighboring planets now (Mars is the 4th planet from the sun, and Jupiter the 5th). By mid-July, Mars will cross a constellation boundary into Taurus the Bull, where Jupiter is currently hanging out. There are many splendid things to see in Taurus. This conjunction will be fun!
The two are not far from the misty Pleiades star cluster.
A bonus planetary conjunction will happen on July 15, when Mars will be about half a degree from Uranus. Uranus is theoretically visible to the eye, but only in a dark sky and only then if your eyesight is perfect. So, around July, use binoculars to zero in on reddish Mars, then spot Uranus right beside it. Mars is red. And Uranus will be much fainter, and bluish-green in color.
After mid-July
Afterwards, Mars will pull away from Uranus. You’ll see it get a bit closer to the Pleiades, as it makes a beeline toward Jupiter. Just to make it even more interesting, the waning crescent moon enters the scene again on July 30.
On that date, bright Jupiter, red Mars, the bright star Aldebaran, the pretty Pleiades and the V-shaped Hyades star cluster will create quite a scene. They’ll all be in the eastern sky two hours before sunrise.
Then, the next morning, the moon – as an even thinner crescent – hangs a bit farther northeast of the celestial grouping.
We’re headed toward a Jupiter and Mars conjunction in August. Start watching the 2 planets now. For an especially dramatic scene, look during the early morning hours of July 30 and 31. The waning crescent moon joins Mars, Jupiter, the Pleiades, Aldebaran, and the Hyades. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
The big event: Jupiter and Mars conjunction August 14
The closest pairing of this planetary duo will come on the morning of August 14. That’s when bright gas giant Jupiter will get a visit from rocky red Mars on our sky’s dome. Then, the little planet will appear less than the width of a full moon from Jupiter. They’ll look close on our sky’s dome. In reality, the two will remain more than 300 million miles (500 million km) apart, even though they are next-door neighbors in our solar system.
Using just the unaided eye, the bright white light of Jupiter will contrast nicely with the dimmer and distinctly redder shine of Mars. In binoculars, Jupiter’s moons will enhance your enjoyment of the view. And this conjunction will be a great event for telescope owners and astrophotographers. You’ll be able to capture both planets in one view and thoroughly examine these remarkably different worlds. If you catch a great pic, please submit it to EarthSky’s community page!
Binoculars will help you see Mars pass bright Jupiter from August 10 through August 18. They’ll be at their closest to each other in the early morning hours of August 14. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
Charts from Guy Ottewell
The following charts all come from U.K. astronomer Guy Ottewell. You’ll find charts like these for 2024 in his Astronomical Calendar.
On the morning of August 9, 2024, Jupiter and Mars will be nearing their closest approach to each other. Chart via Guy Ottewell’s 2024 Astronomical Calendar. Used with permission.
On August 12, 2024, look for the Jupiter and Mars conjunction in the morning sky. The planets will be in the constellation Taurus. Chart via Guy Ottewell’s 2024 Astronomical Calendar. Used with permission.
Heliocentric solar system view of the planets in July and August 2024
Here’s a heliocentric view of the solar system from above for July and August when Mars and Jupiter will appear close together in the morning sky.
Guy Ottewell explains heliocentric charts.
Heliocentric view of solar system, July 2024. Chart via Guy Ottewell’s 2024 Astronomical Calendar. Used with permission.
Heliocentric view of solar system, August 2024. Chart via Guy Ottewell’s 2024 Astronomical Calendar. Used with permission.
Bottom line: Start watching on July mornings for the upcoming Jupiter and Mars conjunction. The neighboring planets will get closer and closer – against the backdrop of the constellation Taurus the Bull – culminating on August 14, 2024.
Peter Lowenstein caught the daytime moon in its waning gibbous phase from Mutare, Zimbabwe. He said: “Three-quarters of an hour after sunrise, I photographed the daytime moon descending toward the top of a flowering African Tulip (Spathodia campanulta) tree.” Thank you, Peter!
Watch for a daytime moon
This month’s full moon came on the night of April 23, 2024. By April 25, the moon is in a waning gibbous phase, rising later and later each successive night. For those at temperate latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, there’s an especially long time between moonrises on successive evenings around now. The April 25 moon will rise more than two hours after sunset. The April 26 moon will rise roughly to three hours after sunset.
And, of course, a later rising time means a later setting time. That’s why the mornings after a full moon are a good time to catch a nearly full daytime moon over your western horizon after sunrise. Watch for it!
The moon is up in the daytime half of the time. But, because it’s pale against the blue sky, it’s not as noticeable during the day as at night. Still, there are certain windows each month during which the daytime moon is most noticeable.
By April 26 and 27 mornings, moon near Antares
By the mornings of April 26 and 27, 2024 (or late evening of April 25 and 26), the moon will be near the bright star Antares in the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion. At that time, the moon will be rising a little before midnight at mid-northern latitudes. And it’ll still be up after the sun rises, but appearing thinner in phase and higher in the sky with each new dawn.
On the mornings of April 26 and 27, 2024, the waning gibbous moon will lie close to the bright star Antares in Scorpius the Scorpion. They’ll be visible from after midnight until dawn.
Because of Earth’s motion around the sun, Antares – like all the fixed stars (stars that appear not to move relative to one another) – will rise about four minutes earlier each evening. Meanwhile, because of its own motion around Earth, the moon will be rising later and later each evening thus moving away from Antares’ location in the sky.
Day by day, in the days ahead, the lighted portion of the waning gibbous moon will shrink. The half-lit last quarter moon will come late at 10:15 p.m. CDT April 30 (03:15 UTC on May 1), 2024.
Bottom line: You can easily spot the moon in the morning sky – after sunrise – for a few days after the full moon. Look west after the sun comes up!
The instant of 1st quarter moon will fall at 19:13 UTC on April 15, 2024 (2:13 p.m. CDT). A 1st quarter moon rises around noon your local time and sets around midnight. Watch for it high in the sky at sundown.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Lorraine Boyd in Glen Falls, New York, captured the 1st quarter moon on November 20, 2023. Lorraine wrote: “There’s just something about seeing the moon in the 1st quarter phase that puts a smile on my face.” Thank you, Lorraine!
April 15 evening: Moon near the twin stars of Gemini
On the evening of April 15, 2024, the first quarter moon will shine near Castor and Pollux, the twin stars of Gemini. Although they are “twin brothers,” they don’t really look alike. Pollux is a bit brighter and a golden star, while Castor shines as a white light. They’ll rise before sunset and travel across the sky’s dome before setting a few hours after midnight.
April 17 and 18 evenings: Moon near Regulus
On the evenings of April 17 and 18, 2024, the waxing gibbous moon will float near the bright star Regulus, the brightest star in Leo the Lion. They’ll be visible until a few hours before sunrise.
Moon at apogee April 20
The moon will reach apogee – its farthest distance from Earth in its elliptical orbit around Earth – at 2 UTC on April 20, 2024 (9 p.m. CDT on April 19), when it’s 252,042 miles (405,623 kilometers) away.
Overnight April 21-22: Lyrid meteor shower
Overnight tonight, the Lyrid meteor shower peaks. But the moon is nearly full, hiding all but the brightest meteors in its glare. Diehards will be watching in the moonlight. Should you? Even one bright meteor – streaking along in the glare of the bright moon – would make it all worthwhile. Tips for watching a meteor shower in moonlight here.
Lyrid meteors radiate from near the bright star Vega in the constellation Lyra the Harp. You don’t need to identify Vega or Lyra in order to watch the Lyrid meteor shower. But you do need to know when the radiant rises, in this case in the northeast before midnight. That’s why the Lyrids are typically best between midnight and dawn. You’ll see the most meteors after the radiant has come over the horizon. The meteors radiate from there but will appear unexpectedly, in any and all parts of the sky. Image via EarthSky.
April 22 evening: Moon near Spica
On the evening of April 22, 2024, the fat waxing gibbous moon will hang near the bright star Spica in Virgo the Maiden. They’ll rise before sunset and be visible until sunrise.
April evenings: Can you still see Jupiter?
For the first three months of April, Jupiter appears low in the west shortly after sunset. But during the month’s final week, it lies too low in the bright evening twilight to be easily seen. It’ll be challenging to spot.
April 23: Full moon near Spica
The full moon will glow brightly near the bright star Spica in Virgo the Maiden. The full moon occurs at 23:49 UTC (6:49 p.m. CDT) on April 23, 2024. It’ll be visible all night.
April 26 and 27 mornings: Moon near Antares
On the mornings of April 26 and 27, 2024, the waning gibbous moon will lie close to the bright star Antares in Scorpius the Scorpion. They’ll be visible from early morning until dawn. Also, skywatchers in Asia and Africa will see the moon pass in front of – or occult – Antares near 21 UTC on April 26.
The Big Dipper and Leo the Lion
April is a great time to look up overhead in the evening sky and find the well-known pattern of stars we call the Big Dipper. It’s an asterism – or obvious pattern of stars – and part of the constellation Ursa Major the Great Bear. Also, you can find the constellation Leo the Lion. Leo has another well-known asterism known as the Sickle. The Sickle looks like a backward question mark that is punctuated by the bright star Regulus. In fact, the Big Dipper can help you locate Leo and the Sickle. An imaginary line drawn southward from the pointer stars in the Big Dipper – the two outer stars in the Dipper’s bowl – points toward Leo the Lion.
The Big Dipper and Polaris
Plus, the Big Dipper can direct you to find Polaris, the North Pole Star. The two outer stars in the bowl of the Dipper point to Polaris. It’s at the end of the handle of Ursa Minor the Little Bear, commonly known as the Little Dipper. Look for the Big and Little Dippers high in the northern sky on spring evenings. This view is for the Northern Hemisphere.
Cancer the Crab
Cancer the Crab, with its Beehive star cluster, needs a dark sky to be seen. It lies between the Gemini twin stars Castor and Pollux, and the bright star Regulus in Leo the Lion.
Once you’ve found Cancer – if your sky is dark – you can see the wonderful open star cluster called the Beehive. It contains some 1,000 stars.
April evenings: Jupiter
Jupiter appears low in the west shortly after sunset in the first three weeks of April. During the month’s final week, it lies too low in the bright evening twilight to be easily seen. At the beginning of the month, Jupiter sets about three hours after sunset. At month’s end, Jupiter lies low in the evening twilight and may be challenging to spot. Jupiter will lie near the delicate Pleiades star cluster.
April mornings: Mars and Saturn
Mars and Saturn lie low in the morning twilight in April 2024. They shine with similar brightness and have a close pairing on the mornings of April 10 and 11. Saturn will climb a bit higher as the month goes on, and Mars will not move as much on the sky’s dome. By month’s end, Saturn will rise about two hours before sunrise and Mars will follow it about an hour later. Both planets will be easier to find in the coming months as they climb out of the morning glare.
Where are Venus and Mercury?
Venus is too close to the sun to be visible this month, and it’ll emerge in the evening sky around the beginning of August. Mercury will disappear from the bright evening twilight at the beginning of April and return to the morning sky in May.
Sky dome maps for visible planets and night sky
The sky dome maps come from master astronomy chart-maker Guy Ottewell. You’ll find charts like these for every month of 2024 in his Astronomical Calendar.
Here is the sky dome view for April 2024. It shows what is above the horizon at mid-evening for mid-northern latitudes. The view may vary depending on your location. Image via Guy Ottewell’s 2024 Astronomical Calendar.
Heliocentric solar system visible planets and more
The sun-centered charts come from Guy Ottewell. You’ll find charts like these for every month of 2024 in his Astronomical Calendar.
NASA will launch three sounding rockets during the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, to study how Earth’s upper atmosphere is affected when sunlight momentarily dims over a portion of the planet.
The Atmospheric Perturbations around Eclipse Path (APEP) sounding rockets will launch from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia to study the disturbances in the ionosphere created when the Moon eclipses the Sun. The sounding rockets had been previously launched and successfully recovered from White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico, during the October 2023 annular solar eclipse. They have been refurbished with new instrumentation and will be relaunched in April 2024. The mission is led by Aroh Barjatya, a professor of engineering physics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, where he directs the Space and Atmospheric Instrumentation Lab.
We in the Northern Hemisphere think of Orion as a winter constellation. As our northern spring arrives – around late March and early April – we see Orion shifting into the sunset glare. That’s happening because Earth is a planet, moving in orbit around a star.
Westward shift of Orion
If you’re out on an evening walk in late March or early April, notice this seasonal aspect of the night sky. The famous constellation Orion the Hunter – an easy-to-spot star pattern in January and February – now seems to have moved and turned considerably. It’s very low in the western part of the sky when the sun goes down.
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Orion will soon disappear into the sun’s glare. Orion, like all the stars and constellations, shifts westward as the seasons pass. Unless they’re in the far northern or southern sky – and so circumpolar – all stars and constellations spend some portion of each year hidden in the sun’s glare.
All stars move westward in a single night
All the stars and their constellations also move westward in the course of a single night. Orion is no exception. That motion, though, is due to Earth’s spin.
But the seasonal disappearance of Orion – its sinking into the sunset glare during the northern spring months (southern fall months) – is something else. It’s as if we’re riding on a carousel through space – spinning, yes – but also the entire structure is moving. That is, Earth is moving in orbit around the sun. As we move in orbit, our night sky points out in different directions – toward different parts of the Milky Way galaxy – at different times of year.
Earth’s motion in orbit brings the sun between us and Orion at this same time each year.
We in the Northern Hemisphere think of Orion as a winter constellation. As our northern spring arrives – around late March and early April – we see Orion shifting into the sunset glare. That’s happening because Earth is a planet, moving in orbit around a star.
When will you see it last?
Exactly when Orion will disappear from your evening sky – into the sunset – depends on your latitude. The farther south you are, the longer you can see Orion. But for the central U.S., Orion is lost in the sun’s glare by early to mid-May (depending on how carefully you look for it).
And for all of us in the U.S., Orion is gone by the time of the summer solstice in June.
If you want to notice the westward shift of the constellations due to the passage of the seasons, be sure to watch at the same time every night. If you want to watch their westward shift throughout the night, just pull up a lawn chair and watch.
Either way, you can easily notice Orion moving steadily westward.
The westward shift of the sky throughout the night is due to Earth’s spin under the stars. Meanwhile, the westward shift of the stars throughout the seasons is due to Earth’s motion in orbit around the sun. Earth’s motion in orbit causes our night sky to point outward toward an ever-shifting panorama of the galaxy. Image via NASA/ NOAA/ GSFC/ Suomi NPP/ VIIRS/ Norman Kuring.
Bottom line: Why the constellation Orion – and all the stars – shift westward as the seasons pass
Rui Santos in Leiria, Portugal, captured this image of Comet Pons-Brooks on March 13, 2024. This is the comet you might see in the daytime sky, near the sun in total eclipse, on April 8. View a chart below. Rui wrote: “I felt amazed by the sight of the comet, its tail stretching majestically across the sky. It’s a scene that seems to transcend time and space.” Thank you, Rui! We’ve been getting some beautiful images of this comet from our talented community of photographers.
Have you seen Comet Pons-Brooks yet? This fuzzy ball of ice and dust is making its way toward the sun. Its closest approach to the sun will be on April 21. So it’ll be near the sun in our sky on eclipse day, April 8. Read about seeing the comet on eclipse day here. With the help of binoculars or a telescope, you can currently spot this comet in the evening sky now, in the northwest shortly after sunset. It’s been getting brighter! It might also become visible under dark skies to the unaided eye!
If you don’t live near dark skies or are battling clouds, you can see the comet right here, in beautiful images from the EarthSky community.
During the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, the sky will darken enough that you should be able to see Venus and Jupiter. Comet Pons-Brooks will be close to Jupiter. Image via Stellarium/ Kelly Kizer Whitt. See Comet Pons-Brooks on eclipse day!
Comet Pons-Brooks and the Andromeda galaxy
Currently, the comet is hanging out in the constellation Andromeda. It appeared near the Andromeda galaxy in our sky, and astrophotographers captured some great shots of them together!
Basudeb Chakrabarti and Samit Saha from Gharwan, Himachal Pradesh, India, shared this image of Comet Pons-Brooks from March 7 to March 9, 2024, with the Andromeda galaxy. Stunning! Thank you.
Osama Fathi at the Black Desert, Egypt, captured Comet Pons-Brooks, the Andromeda galaxy, and a meteor on March 8, 2024! All in 1. Thank you, Osama.
Basudeb Chakrabarti from Gharwan, Himachal Pradesh, India, shared this image captured by Samit Raz Saha on March 7, 2024. Basudeb wrote: “Currently located in the Andromeda constellation, comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is 247,124,592 kilometers (153,000,000 miles) away from Earth. Being at a dark location, Samit Raz Saha had the opportunity to capture this magnificent comet along with the Andromeda galaxy. I sincerely thank Samit Saha for giving me the opportunity to post process the data.” Thank you both!
Will you see Comet Pons-Brooks during the eclipse?
Comet Pons-Brooks visits the inner solar system every 71 years. Its next perihelion (when it’s closest to the sun) will be on April 21, 2024. That will put the comet fairly close to the sun during the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024. But will you see the comet during the eclipse? And should you even try to look for it?
More images of the comet and galaxy
Steven Bellavia in Southold, New York, captured this view of Comet Pons-Brooks and the Andromeda galaxy on March 11, 2024. Steven wrote: “Although the comet is only 250 million kilometers (155 million miles) from Earth, with Andromeda 23 trillion kilometers (14 trillion miles) distant, they are now sharing the same part of the sky.” Thank you, Steven!
Petr Horálek in Revuca, Slovakia, captured Comet Pons-Brooks on March 5, 2024. Petr also captured the Andromeda galaxy along with “a distant tree, the fog illuminated by the passing cars.” Thank you. Petr!
Paolo Bardelli at Campo dei Fiori, Varese, Italy, shared this image of the comet and M31, the Andromeda galaxy, on March 7, 2024. Paolo wrote: “A finally successful attempt to photograph Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks during a rare evening, quite cloud-free, in a period characterized by an infinite passage of cloud fronts …” Thank you, Paolo!
More images of the comet
Radu Anghel from Ivanesti, Romania, captured this image on March 9, 2024. Radu wrote: “If it is a weekend with clear skies and a comet is close by, at the limit of the unaided-eye visibility, there is no other choice but to answer the call for astrophotography! Last evening I drove for more than an hour and a half to a place with Bortle 4 skies, just perfect for another comet image on my humble collection.” Wonderful! Thank you.
Steven Bellavia in Southold, New York, captured this image of Comet Pons-Brooks on February 25, 2024. Steven wrote: “This comet might be visible to the unaided eye during the total solar eclipse, being 24 degrees east of the sun and only 6 degrees west of Jupiter.” Thank you, Steven!
Bottom line: Have you seen Comet Pons-Brooks already? If not, here are some beautiful images from our talented community of photographers. Enjoy them!
2024 will be the year of the sun. Experts are predicting the peak of the sun’s 11-year cycle of activity for 2024. Plus, for us in North America, a total solar eclipse will take place on April 8, 2024. Learn more about it and some of the other best sky scenes of 2024, below. Fred Espenak shot the images for this composite of a total solar eclipse in Jalu, Libya, on March 29, 2016. The USPS used this image to create a postage stamp! Image via Fred Espenak/ Astropixels.
Best sky scenes of 2024
Mark your calendars for the best stargazing events for 2024. From planetary pairings to a solar eclipse, from meteors to a possible spectacular comet, and from star clusters to star-forming nebulae … here they are.
Remember, for a precise view from your location, visit the free online planetarium Stellarium. Enter your location and the date of the event to see a replica of the sky where you live.
January 8 and 9: Venus and friends
The thin crescent moon will be near the red star Antares – the brightest star in Scorpius the Scorpion – on the morning of January 8. Venus is the brilliant point of light nearby, and the much dimmer Mercury will pop above the southeastern horizon before the sun rises. On the following morning, the moon hovers just above the horizon and close to Mercury. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
On the morning of January 8 and 9, look to the southeast for a crowded celestial scene. On the first morning, the thin crescent moon, full with earthshine, glows next to the bright red star Antares in Scorpius. Also, for skywatchers in the southwestern US, the moon passes in front of – or occults – Antares about an hour before sunrise. For everyone in the U.S., Venus brilliantly shines to their upper left. Then, 30 minutes before sunrise, little Mercury pops above the horizon, appearing to the lower left of Venus.
Later, on the following morning, an even thinner crescent moon floats below unmistakable Venus while Mercury rises a little higher than the morning before and appears next to the moon.
March 22 to 25: Mercury makes a grand appearance
Between March 22 and 25, Mercury makes a grand appearance in the western sky shortly after sunset. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
Mercury always lies close to the sun. Consequently, it never appears far above either the morning or evening twilight. From March 17 through March 25, as it nears eastern elongation, the little and sometimes elusive planet shines brightly in the western twilight 40 minutes after sunset. In a clear sky, you should be able to spot it easily.
April 8: A total (and partial) solar eclipse in North America
In the afternoon of April 8, the moon slides in front of the sun giving a solar eclipse. A partial eclipse occurs for the entire US, but along a very specific swath, a total eclipse takes place. Always use proper filters when directly viewing the sun! Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
For millions, the biggest event of the year will be the total solar eclipse that will travel along a 115-mile-wide band stretching across North America. On the afternoon of April 8, the moon moves across the disk of the sun. And, if you are in the path of totality, the moon completely covers the sun, revealing a spectacular sight. Observers outside the path will see a partial eclipse, where the moon does not completely cover the sun. To view the partial stages of this event, you must wear proper eclipse glasses. Don’t have any? Order them here before they sell out!
This map shows how much of the sun will be in eclipse by location on April 8, 2024. Image via GreatAmericanEclipse.com. Used with permission.
April 10 and 11: Moon, Jupiter and star clusters create a captivating scene
Jupiter, the Pleiades, the Hyades and the crescent moon create 2024’s most captivating scene on the evenings of April 10 and 11. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
A lovely crescent moon shines near a collection of beautiful objects on the evenings of April 10 and 11. The bright point of light shining nearby is Jupiter. In addition, the dipper-shaped Pleiades star cluster – or Seven Sisters – is a favorite sight among stargazers. And the larger, V-shaped Hyades star cluster with its bright red foreground star, Aldebaran, ranks highly as well. Look west-northwest about an hour after sunset. What a great sight to end your day!
July 7: The crescent moon and Mercury
On the evening of July 7, the thin crescent moon floats immediately above little Mercury in the west shortly after sunset. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
The thin crescent moon – lying low in the bright western-northwestern twilight sky on July 7 – will be a convenient guide for finding little Mercury. Simply look toward the moon about 40 minutes after sunset. The planet will be between the moon and the horizon. Binoculars give a clearer view. Place the moon at the upper edge of the field, and Mercury will be near the field’s center.
Binoculars will help you enjoy the scene. Mercury will lie in the same field as the moon. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
July 30 and 31: The crescent moon, Jupiter and Mars
In the early morning hours of July 30 and 31, the crescent moon joins Mars, Jupiter, the Pleiades, Aldebaranand the Hyades for a dramatic scene. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
An attractive scene plays out on the last two mornings of July. First, on July 30, the crescent moon floats among bright Jupiter, red Mars, the bright star Aldebaran, and the pretty Pleiades star cluster. They’re all in the eastern sky two hours before sunrise. Then, next morning the moon, as an even thinner crescent, hangs below the celestial grouping.
August 12: The Perseus meteor shower peaks
After 11 p.m. on August 11, look to the northeast for upwards of 50 meteors per hour. It continues until dawn on the morning of August 12. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
After 11 p.m. local time on August 11, begin looking toward the northeast for streaking meteors from the Perseid meteor shower. You can watch for meteors through dawn on the morning of August 12. Since the moon sets near midnight, its light interferes little with spotting meteors, which may number up to 50 per hour, perhaps more. They appear to emanate from the constellation Perseus, which is near the more familiar W–shaped constellation Cassiopeia. To be sure, the Perseids likely will be 2024’s best meteor shower.
August 14: Conjunction between red Mars and bright Jupiter
Red Mars narrowly misses bright Jupiter in the early morning hours of August 14. Look in the east for this planetary conjunction. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
From mid-July through mid-August, red Mars will slowly approach bright Jupiter in Taurus the Bull. Then, on the morning of August 14, Mars will be less than the width of a full moon from Jupiter.
Binoculars will help you see Mars pass bright Jupiter from August 10 through August 18. They’ll be at their closest to each other in the early morning hours of August 14. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
Late August mornings: 6 planets before sunrise
We can always find the planets lying along the ecliptic, which is the plane of our solar system. But often, some of the planets are in the morning sky, while others are in the evening sky, and still others are too close to the sun to see at all. On late August mornings, all the planets – except Venus – appear in the morning sky. Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will be easy. Can you challenge yourself to spot the rest? Chart via John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
By this time, you’ve probably already seen Jupiter and Mars in the morning sky, coming off their conjunction in mid-August. You’ve probably spotted Saturn, too, farther to the west. But in late August, there are six planets in the morning sky. Can you challenge yourself to spot them all? Mercury will be rising before the sun. The later in the month you look, the better your chance to see it, creeping up from the eastern horizon. Uranus and Neptune will require optical aid and finder charts. Uranus is currently in Taurus while Neptune is in Pisces. You can use Stellarium to help track them down.
October 5, November 4 and December 4: The crescent moon meets Venus
In the southwest in the early evening hours of October 5, November 4, and December 4, the waxing crescent moon will glow next to brilliant Venus. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
Some of the most eye-catching sky sights happen when a crescent moon appears near the brightest planet, Venus. Indeed, three such occasions occur in fall’s evening sky. As the twilight sky deepens after sunset on October 5, November 4 and December 4, look toward the western horizon for a dramatic scene. Venus will be unmistakable shining next to the waxing crescent moon.
October 14 to 24: Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS at its brightest
If we are fortunate, a comet will grace our sky from October 14 to 24. Look to the west shortly after sunset for Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
A beautiful, graceful cometary apparition might be in store for us. It’s been a while since we’ve had a wispy comet tail stretch across our evening sky. This October, in particular October 14 through 24, Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS could be bright in the early evening sky. With ten months to go, all looks good for a great showing.
November 12: Venus shines near a mysterious glow
An hour after sunset on November 12, look at brilliant Venus through binoculars. It shines in the southwest. Above it in the same field lies the star-forming nebula M8, the Lagoon Nebula. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
Brilliant Venus will shine low above the southwestern horizon on November 12 about an hour after sunset. And, just above it lies the mysterious star-forming nebula, M8, or the Lagoon Nebula. Center Venus in binoculars and the indistinct glow of M8 will become apparent.
December 5: Mars meets stellar bees
Looking southwest early on the morning of December 5, red Mars tangles with the Beehive star cluster. The twin stars of Gemini, Castor, and Pollux, lie nearby. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
Mars visits the stellar bees of the Beehive star cluster in Cancer on December 5. Look northeast around 11 p.m. your local time for the red planet. Directly next to it will be the dim glow of the cluster. Use binoculars to see Mars standing over the many glittering stars of the Beehive.
In the morning on December 5, binoculars will help show bright Mars approaching the much dimmer Beehive star cluster. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
Bottom line: Check out the best sky scenes of 2024! A total solar eclipse crosses North America, planets have close pairings, a comet may shine bright, and more!
