Meteor Showers and Eclipses: Some of the Most Fascinating Celestial Events to See in 2019

2018 had some impressive celestial events; moments that light up the night sky and captured the imaginations of people all ages across the planet. If you missed out on a few meteor showers, or eclipses, don’t worry, 2019 has got you covered.

Be sure to keep your eyes glued to the sky.

January

Right out of the gate 2019 has some celestial moments that are sure to help you start your year off right. Between January 3-4, the Quadrantid meteor shower will take place.

If you are in Europe the light show should be very visible, according to Space.com, peaking in the early morning.  Though a little more faint than traditional meteor showers, expect to see 25 meteors per hour.

If you are living in Northeast Asia and the North Pacific, you will get the rare opportunity to witness a partial solar eclipse on January 6; an event where the moon will come between the Earth and sun, with it only partially obscured.  

April

You will get ample opportunity to see meteor showers in 2019. Though the moon may block out the full light show, on April 23 you might be able to catch a glimpse of the Lyrid meteor shower.

Expected to peak in the early hour in the morning, you might be able to see about 10 to 20 Lyrid meteors an hour at the shower’s peak.

May

Created by debris from the famous Halley’s Comet, the Eta Aquarid meteor shower will take place from April 19 to May 28 and peak overnight on May 5-6.

Smashing at the Earth’s atmosphere at 150,000 miles per hour, expect to see 20-40 meteors per hour. 

July

Whether you live there or are willing to make the venture be sure to head down to the Southern Hemisphere to witness the spectacle of a total solar eclipse.

In areas like Chile and Argentina, spectators will get to see the event unfold from 12:55 p.m. ET (16:55 UTC) and reach totality at 3:22 p.m. ET (19:22 UTC). The eclipse will take place on July 2.  

Asia, Europe, South America will also get the treat of seeing a partial lunar eclipse on 16th of the same month, with the lunar eclipse reaching its peak at around 5:30 p.m. ET (21:30 UTC).

August

Debris from the Comet Swift-Tuttle, a celestial object that orbits the earth every 133 years will trigger the Perseid meteor shower between July 17 to Aug. 24.

Considered one of the brightest meteor showers in 2019, you definitely will want to make an effort to see this celestial event.

October

Also triggered from the debris from Halley’s Comet, the Orionid meteor shower will take place Oct. 2 to Nov. 7, peaking at night on Oct. 21-22. The Orionid meteor shower derives its name from the constellation Orion.

November

Mercury will greet earth on November 11, passing right in front of our sun and showing up as a tiny dot illuminated by our sun.

Similar to an eclipse, the event will be the first since 2016 and will not occur again for another thirteen years.

The Leonid meteor shower will peak on November 17th, lighting up the early morning sky. The meteor shower is also triggered by debris from the Comet Tempel-Tuttle that pass through the earth.

December

Taking place around Christmas, residents in Asia, Eastern Europe, Western Australia, and East Africa will get to witness the celestial beauty of an annular solar eclipse, or what is also known as a partial eclipse.

The Ursid meteor shower and Geminid meteor shower will also take place in December from December 4 to December 22.

What celestial events are you excited to see this year?