The Quadrantids have the potential to be the strongest shower of the year but usually fall short due to the short length of maximum activity (6 hours) and the poor weather experienced during early January. The average hourly rate is 25 meteors per hour.
Earth will be at the closest point in its orbit around the Sun on this date - 91,403,034 miles.
The Full Moon rises at sunset, and is visible all night. The Vatican Observatory's monthly Full Moon Meetup for Sacred Space Astronomy subscribers is held at 10:00 AM Tucson time.
Mercury's 88-day orbit around the Sun will carry it to its furthest point to the Sun – its aphelion – at a distance of 0.47 AU.
On February 15 2013 an asteroid exploded in the sky over the city of Chelyabinsk, in the the southern Ural region of Russia. The shock wave blew out windows all over the city, injuring over 1600 people, and damaged several buildings.
The planet Venus is a Perihelion (its closest approach to the Sun) on this date.
The Moon will pass into Earth’s shadow and appear to turn red on the night of March 13 or early in the morning on March 14.
The Moon is at First quarter on this date -it will be visible high in the southern sky in early evening.
Mars will be at the farthest point in its orbit around the Sun on this date - 154,425,919.9 miles.
The Moon is at Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) – rising around midnight, and visible to the south after sunrise.
Peak: ~Apr 21-22, 2020 The Lyrids are a medium strength shower that usually produces good rates for three nights centered on the maximum. These meteors also usually lack persistent trains […]
