Stargazing Wonders: Unveiling the Spectacular Meteor Showers and Celestial Events of 2025

From meteor displays to full moons, a series of stunning astronomical events will be observable from Colorado in 2025, commencing with a full array of stargazing activities in January.

Presented below is a compilation of astronomical highlights for the year:

January

The new year begins with an impressive show, as the Quadrantid meteor shower peaks following sunset on Jan. 3. Recognized as one of the premier annual meteor showers, the Quadrantid shower has a notably brief peak lasting only a few hours, according to NASA. Yet, at its peak, between 60 and 200 meteors may be observed per hour under optimal conditions. This shower is particularly noted for its brilliant fireball meteors, which yield significantly larger bursts of light and color than standard meteor trails.

On Jan. 13, the first full moon of the year, known as “the wolf moon,” will traverse in front of Mars, as reported by space.com. Throughout most of North America, star enthusiasts will be able to witness the moon gradually approach the red planet, although binoculars or a small telescope may be necessary to observe Mars disappearing behind the moon due to brightness.

The occultation will become observable at 6:56 p.m. in Colorado Springs, according to lunaroccultations.com.

February

The full “Snow Moon” rises on Feb. 12, according to weather.com. This full moon, referred to by some Native American tribes as the “Hungry Moon” or the “Bear Moon,” is named so for the snow covering the earth during the coldest part of the year.

March

On March 14, a radiant red blood moon will arise due to a total lunar eclipse, caused by the absence of sunlight on the full “Worm Moon” when the Earth intercedes between the moon and the sun.

The Worm Moon, named for earthworms appearing from the thawing ground, is also referred to as the “Eagle Moon” in Algonquin culture, “Sugar Moon” in Ojibwe, and “Wind Strong Moon” in Pueblo traditions, among others.

On March 29, a partial solar eclipse will also obscure the sun.

April

The Lyrid meteor shower, visible from April 15 to April 30, will reach its peak from April 21 to April 22. On April 23, the full “Pink Moon” will rise. This early spring full moon is named in honor of spring blossoms.

May

The Eta Aquirid meteor shower reaches its peak on May 3-4. Although it is more impressive in the southern tropics compared to the Northern Hemisphere, one can still observe as many as 10 meteors per hour, as reported by weather.com. This is one of two meteor showers annually that stem from debris expelled by the renowned Halley’s Comet, as stated by NASA. On May 23, the complete “Flower Moon” rises, a title that continues to honor the blooming of spring.

June

On June 11, the full Strawberry moon is set to appear. Besides being an indication of ripe berries, this moon can often exhibit a reddish hue. Other traditional titles for June’s full moon consist of the “Blooming Moon,” “Planting Moon,” “Hot Moon,” and “Berries Ripen Moon.”

July

The complete “Buck Moon” derives its name from the growth period of male deer antlers, known as bucks, which undergo full development during this season, as per the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Bucks lose and regenerate their antlers annually, resulting in a bigger and more magnificent set as they mature. It is alternatively referred to as the “Feather Molting Moon” and “Salmon Moon.” The Buck Moon will ascend on July 10.

August

The August “Sturgeon Moon,” named after North America’s largest freshwater fish that served as a crucial food source for Great Lakes Native Americans during this summer period, is expected to rise on Aug. 9, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Nevertheless, the true highlight of the month, and quite possibly the summer, is the Perseid meteor shower. The Perseids peak with as many as 75 meteors per hour on Aug. 12-13, coinciding with some of the hottest summer evenings of the year, according to weather.com.

The name of this meteor shower is derived from Persedai, the offspring of the hero Perseus in Greek mythology, as the Perseids are perceived to emanate from the constellation Perseus in the night sky.

September

The complete “Harvest Moon” on Sept. 17 marks the metaphorical commencement of Fall, named in accordance with the onset of the harvest timeframe.

October

The “Hunter’s Moon,” alternatively recognized as the “Sanguine Moon,” “Drying Rice Moon,” “Falling Leaves Moon,” and “Freezing Moon,” will rise on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Historically, inhabitants of the Northern Hemisphere dedicated October to preparing for the approaching winter through hunting, slaughtering, and preserving meats, which bestowed this full moon with its Anglo-Saxon designation of Hunter’s Moon, as per the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

November

The full moon of November, set to rise on Nov. 5, carries the designation of “Beaver Moon,” due to the heightened activity of beavers in late autumn. In Pueblo indigenous lore, it is called “Moon When All Is Gathered In,” while in Celtic customs, it is known as the “Mourning Moon.”

December

The “Cold Moon,” aptly named for the chilling conditions that accompany the onset of true winter, is expected to rise on Dec. 4, 2025.

The Old English and Anglo-Saxon titles for the December Full Moon include Moon Before Yule and the Long Night Moon, according to timeanddate.com. Both titles allude to the winter solstice and the ancient observance of Yule. An additional Celtic term is the “Oak Moon.”

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