Cosmic Wonders: Supermoons, Meteor Showers, Eclipses and Beyond!

We’re coming off an exhilarating 2024 in the astronomy realm where millions witnessed a total solar eclipse in April and then observed the northern lights in May.

Solar maximum reached its peak in October, indicating we’re still in the phase of elevated solar activity. In May 2024, the Earth experienced the strongest geomagnetic storm in twenty years.

2025 appears to be a thrilling, action-packed year for everything cosmic, lunar, and planetary. Space enthusiasts are set to dive into another solar adventure for what will be another remarkable phase for our galaxy.

Meteor showers expected to be sparse in 2025

“It’s not an outstanding year for meteor showers, since the usual prominent ones, the ones that are the most vigorous and worth stepping outside to witness, will be contending with moonlight,” stated NASA Ambassador Tony Rice. “The phase of the moon at that time is going to be not favorable for observing the most meteors.”

Nonetheless, there is one shower that assures to be quite spectacular from the start.

Quadrantids meteor shower (Jan. 3-4)

Rice indicated that the Quadrantids meteor shower could be the most significant event of the year. Due to the crescent moon’s early setting, there will be dark skies creating a nice contrast. The moon will only be at 11% illumination for the Quadrantids.

At its peak, the shower can reveal up to 40 meteors per hour for observers in a dark, rural location. Visibility will be reduced in suburban or urban settings.

For optimal viewing, search for a dark area after midnight and before dawn.

Other observable meteor showers this year consist of:

• July 28, 29 – Southern Delta Aquarids (27% moon illumination)
• October 21, 22 – Orionids (2% moon illumination)
• November 17, 18 – Leonids (9% moon illumination)

Mars occultation (Jan. 13)

Mars will shine brightly on Jan. 13 and be visible throughout the night. This occurs as the moon passes in front of Mars, a phenomenon known as an occultation.

“If there’s one occurrence I’m anticipating this year, it’s the Mars occultation,” Rice remarked. “You can view it as a form of an eclipse. It’s the moon moving in front of another celestial object, and it’s quite simple to observe.”

This is the prime moment to catch a glimpse of the red planet! A telescope can aid in viewing some of the finer details.

It’s also the first full moon of the year. The initial full moon was referred to by Native American tribes as the Wolf Moon due to hungry wolf packs howling outside their camps during this period.

On the evening of Jan. 16, Mars will reach its opposition, which is when a planet is directly opposite the Sun. This is when Mars will be nearest to Earth and will be fully illuminated by the Sun. More details will be visible through a telescope or binoculars.

Supermoon timetable

Three supermoons are anticipated in the fall. A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth.

3 supermoons in 2025 

• Monday, Oct. 6
• Wednesday, Nov. 5
• Thursday, Dec. 4

You can check a list of supermoons extending into the mid-2030s here.

Will we witness auroras again?

The period of Solar Maximum, or the timeframe of peak activity on the Sun, persists through 2025 which could indicate more visible auroras deeper into the United States. While it’s difficult to predict with certainty, we’ll remain observant for solar activity.

You might recall last spring when an uncommon solar storm made auroras visible in North Carolina, delighting stargazers who captured stunning photographs. 

“That happened twice last year and as we are still at the peak of solar maximum, it is quite possible that we could observe it in the months ahead,” Rice stated. “In the first half of the year, it’s going to be more probable compared to the latter half because we are entering the decline phase. All of the meteorologists there are monitoring any solar storms, coronal mass ejections, and similar incidents that may approach.”

Several northern states from Alaska to New York were within the southern extent of the northern lights’ visibility on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31, 2024.

“That activity being so intense and so frequent creates the conditions for the aurora to extend into the lower 48 states as far south as here,” Rice noted.

Eclipses

There are partial solar eclipses planned for March 29 and Sept. 21. There are total lunar eclipses scheduled for March 14 and Sept. 7.

On March 14, the moment of greatest eclipse will be just before 3 a.m. It will be observable in North America. A partial solar eclipse will occur on March 29. 

On Sept. 7, the total lunar eclipse will be visible in sections of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

Another partial solar eclipse is slated for Sept. 21, but will not be observable in North Carolina. It will be visible in segments of Australia and Antarctica. 

Full moon calendar 

In 2025, there will be 12 full moons.

· Jan. 13

· Feb. 12

· March 14 (total lunar eclipse)

· April 12

· May 12

· June 11

· July 10

· Aug. 9

· Sept. 7 (total lunar eclipse)

· Oct. 6 (also a supermoon)

· Nov. 5

· Dec. 4 (also a supermoon)