Sep 23: September Equinox
Also known as the autumnal (fall) equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, the September Equinox is considered by many as the first day of fall.
Sep 25: New Moon
A New Moon in the sky means no moonlight to hinder your view of stars and planets. Use the Interactive Night Sky Map to find out what planets are visible tonight and where.
Sep 26: Jupiter at Opposition
The largest planet in the solar system, Jupiter, lies opposite the Sun in the sky, and is visible all night.
Oct 8: Mercury at Greatest Elongation West
This might be a good time to try and spot Mercury: the planet appears at its farthest distance from the Sun in the morning sky.
Oct 8/9: Draconid Meteor Shower
The best time to see the shooting stars of the peaking Draconids is just after nightfall.
Oct 9: Hunter’s Moon
The October Full Moon is traditionally called the Hunter’s Moon. October is a time to start preparing for the coming winter by hunting or slaughtering animals and preserving meat.
Oct 21/22: Orionid Meteor Shower
The Orionids are the second meteor shower in October. The shower peaks on October 21-22 but usually remains active between October 2 and November 7. The best time to see these shooting stars is just after midnight and before the Sun rises.
Oct 25: Partial Solar Eclipse
This eclipse will be visible from most of Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, and western parts of Asia—if the weather permits.
Oct 25: New Moon
The New Moon phase is the best time to explore the night sky. Find planets, stars, and constellations using our Interactive Night Sky Map!
Nov 7/8: Total Lunar Eclipse
The entire Moon will plunge into the Earth’s umbra, the central, dark portion of its shadow. This total lunar eclipse will be visible from North and South America, Australia, Asia, and parts of Europe.
Nov 8: Full Moon / Beaver Moon
November’s Full Moon is traditionally called a Beaver Moon, after beavers that build their dams during this time of the year.
Nov 17/18: Leonid Meteor Shower
The Leonids’ shooting stars are visible between November 6 and 30, and peak on the night of November 17 and early morning of November 18, with up to 15 meteors per hour.
Nov 23: New Moon
The New Moon phase is the best time to explore the night sky. Find planets, stars, and constellations using our Interactive Night Sky Map!
Dec 8: Mars at Opposition
At opposition, Mars lies on the opposite side of Earth to the Sun, and shines red in the sky all night.
Dec 8: Cold Moon
One of the traditional names for the Full Moon in December is Cold Moon.
Dec 13/14: Geminid Meteors
One of the best meteor showers of the year, the Geminids peak on the night of December 13 and early morning hours of December 14, but will be visible from December 4-20.
Dec 21: December Solstice
The December solstice will take place at 21:48 UTC. Also known as the winter solstice, it is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the longest day of the year and is called the summer solstice.
Dec 21: Mercury at Greatest Elongation East
This might be a good time to try and spot Mercury: the planet appears at its farthest distance from the Sun in the evening sky.
Dec 22/23: Ursid Meteors
Catch the shooting stars of the last major meteor shower of the year, the Ursids, when it peaks in the night between December 22 and 23.
Dec 23: Super New Moon
This New Moon takes place very close to its perigee—the point on its orbit closest to the Earth.