Astro Adventures Ahead: Your Guide to 2025’s Cosmic Calendar!

The new year commences with a comprehensive schedule of astronomical events in January, featuring a vanishing Mars and a display of planets.

The remaining months will showcase everything from a lunar eclipse to some of the most splendid meteor showers.

Note these significant events in your calendars:

J​anuary

The Quadrantid meteor shower reaches its peak on Jan. 3 but remains visible until around Jan. 12. At its peak it can yield as many as 120 meteors every hour. These meteors are typically easy to observe if the weather permits, but don’t forget to dress warmly for the chill.

Jan. 13 presents the year’s inaugural full moon, known as the Wolf Moon. This occurrence is notable as it will pass in front of Mars in a phenomenon termed occultation. The majority of individuals in the U.S. will have the opportunity to see the red planet vanish behind the moon and subsequently reemerge.

By the latter half of the month, a parade of planets including Mars, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn can be viewed with the unaided eye. Neptune and Uranus will be observable through a telescope.

F​ebruary

The full Snow Moon ascends on Feb. 12. The titles given to each month’s full moons have been inherited from Native American tribes and early European settlers, who found inspiration in elements such as seasons, local fauna, or climatic conditions. February’s full moon is aptly named since it occurs during one of the most frigid times of the year.

M​arch

A complete lunar eclipse will transform the full Worm Moon into a radiant red “blood moon” on March 14. This occurs due to the absence of sunlight illuminating the moon when the Earth is positioned between it and the sun during a lunar eclipse.

The name for this month’s full moon is derived from earthworms rising from warmer soil.

A partial solar eclipse on March 29 will obscure a portion of the sun.

A​pril

The L​yrid meteor shower is visible from April 15 to April 30 but reaches its zenith approximately in the center of that timeframe, on April 21 – 22.

The full Pink Moon ascends on April 23. Folklore suggests this moon was named after pink spring blossoms.

M​arch

A total lunar eclipse will turn the full Worm Moon into a glowing red “blood moon” on March 14. This happens because of the lack of sunlight shining on the moon when the Earth passes between it and the sun in a lunar eclipse.

This month’s full moon name is inspired by earthworms emerging from warmer soil.

A partial solar eclipse on March 29 will block out part of the sun.

A​pril

The L​yrid meteor shower is visible from April 15 to April 30 but peaks right about in the middle of that window, on April 21 – 22.

The f​ull Pink Moon rises on April 23. Legend has it this moon was named after pink spring flowers.

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower reaches its peak on May 3 – 4. This event is more prominent in the southern tropics compared to the Northern Hemisphere, but you may still spot as many as 10 meteors each hour. This is one of two meteor showers annually that arise from debris released by the renowned Halley’s Comet, as stated by NASA.