Taking a Detailed Look at the 2025 Astronomical Calendar

The year 2025 will feature a number of astronomical events that you are not going to want to miss. From a total lunar eclipse to stunning meteor showers, here is a look at the events in the night skies that you will want to put on your calendar for the coming year.

Mars Opposition - January 16

Start the year with the Mars opposition, an event that will take place on the night of Thursday, January 16. During this time, the famous Red Planet will reach the point in its journey around the sun when it is located the closest to the Earth. You will be able to see Mars all throughout the month of January given the right weather conditions, however, it will be the most visible on the 16th. Mars will appear red or orange when shining in the night skies, making it easier to pick out from the white stars.

Venus-Saturn Conjunction - January 17 and 18

Just one night later, the alignment of Venus and Saturn will unfold high in the southwestern sky after the sun goes down. The planetary alignment will begin to drop toward the horizon at about 9 pm local time. If clouds obscure your view on Friday, you can catch the duo together the next night.

Total Lunar Eclipse - March 13 and 14

For the first time in three years, a total lunar eclipse will make the moon appear red as it moves through the shadow of the Earth. This lunar eclipse will be visible across the entirety of North America on the night of Thursday March 13 and into the early morning hours of March 14. While a second total lunar eclipse is set to happen on September 7, this event will only be visible in Asia and across some parts of Africa, Europe, and Australia.

Spring Meteor Showers - April and May

Following the Quadrantids meteor shower to start the year, the mass production of shooting stars will go dormant for a bit. However, two showers will light up the night skies during the spring season, starting with the Lyrids on the night of Monday, April 21 and into the morning hours of April 22. You can expect up to 20 meteors per hour with this show.

Heading into the beginning of May, the Eta Aquarids are going to peak on the night of May 3 and. 4. The Eta Aquarids are predicted to produce a peak of 30 shooting stars each hour.

Visible Milky Way - July - September

A highlight of the summer season will be the chance to see the Milky Way Galaxy in all of its glory. Stargazers will have the best luck catching the glow of this galaxy if they head to rural areas away from light pollution. You will also improve your chances of spotting the galaxy if you plan your stargazing for the night surrounding the appearance of the new moon as this will also provide darker skies. The new moons during the summer of 2025 will happen on June 25, July 24, August 23, and September 21.

Jupiter-Venus Conjunction - August 12

August 12 is shaping up to be a big night for stargazers. The conjunction of Jupiter and Venus will kick off the day just before sunrise. Two of the brightest celestial objects in the sky will line up together when Venus and Jupiter shine alongside each other. This pairing will be easy to find with the naked eye.

Perseid Meteor Shower - August 12 and 13

Just hours after the sunrise showing of Jupiter and Venus, the Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak. This meteor shower is distinguished as being one of the best and brightest of the year. A typical year features as many as 100 shooting stars each hour, however, this year's showing will be muted due to the presence of a nearly full moon. You will boost your chances of seeing more meteors if you train your eyes on the darkest parts of the skies away from the shining moon.

Trio of Celestial Objects - August 19

A trio of celestial objects will shine together in alignment just before sunrise on the morning of Tuesday, August 19. Venus, Jupiter, and a crescent moon will all appear in the eastern sky approximately one to two hours before the sun comes up. You will be able to see the trio again the next morning, however, the moon will hover closer to Venus on this day.

Saturn Opposition - September 21

Saturn will shine brighter than at any other time of the year when it reaches its opposition stage on September 21. Like other opposition events, you will be able to locate the celestial body at any time during the month but the night of September 21 will be the exact time that it reaches official opposition. Stargazers will be able to find Saturn with the naked eye. However, reaching for a telescope will also give you a glimpse of its iconic rings.

Super Harvest Moon - October 6 and 7

October's Super Harvest Moon will be the first of three straight supermoons with each one appearing a bit larger and brighter than the other full moons that rose earlier in the year. The October full moon gets its name from its appearance closest to the September equinox.

Geminid Meteor Shower - December 13 and 14

The year will end on a dazzling note when the Geminid Meteor Shower puts on a show on the night of December 13 and into the morning hours of December 14. Astronomy experts are predicting that this year's Geminids will be a particularly great year as the shooting stars will peak on a night with no moon. As a result, stargazers may see as many as 120 shooting stars per hour.

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