The most anticipated astronomical events of 2021

The October Full Moon is traditionally called the Hunter's Moon. With the name dating back to as early as 1710, this October moon traditionally signaled a time to start preparing for the coming winter by hunting animals and preserving meat, and on October 20 the bright Hunter's Moon shone in all its glory.

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October 21/22: Orionid Meteor Shower -

The second meteor shower of the month peaked on October 21-22, but it usually remains active between October 2 and November 7. The best times to see it are just after midnight and before sunrise.

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November 17/18: Leonid Meteor Shower -

These are visible between November 6 and 30, but peak of shooting stars per hour goes from the night of November 17 and to the early morning of November 18.

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November 19: Micro Full Moon/Beaver Moon -

The Micro Full Moon occurs when the Moon is closest to its apogee. This November Full Moon is also known as a Beaver Moon, after beavers that build their dams around this time of year.

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December 4: Total Solar Eclipse -

The total solar eclipse will only be visible in Antarctica. But a partial solar eclipse will be visible in parts of southern Africa, including South Africa and Namibia.

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December 13/14: Geminid Meteors -

The Geminids will be visible from December 4 to 20, but will peak on the night of December 13 and the early morning hours of December 14.

Sources: (Time and Date AS) (National Geographic) (Smithsonian Magazine)

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December 18: Micro Full Moon/Cold Moon -

In December 2021, we'll have a Micromoon. This event occurs when the moon is closest to its apogee. This is also known as the Cold Moon.

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December 21: December Solstice -

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December 22/23: Ursid Meteors -

The last meteor shower of the year will peak between December 22-23, 2021.

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February 11: Venus-Jupiter Conjunction -

Venus and Jupiter came close and were visible to the naked eye. People in the Southern Hemisphere had better visibility.

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February 27: Snow Moon -

In certain Northern Hemisphere cultures, this Full Moon is also known as the Snow Moon.

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March 9 and 10: Quadruple Formation -

A crescent moon was accompanied by Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn. If you used a telescope, you might've been able to spot some of Jupiter’s moons and Saturn’s rings.

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March 20: March Equinox -

This was the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and the first day of fall in the Southern Hemisphere.

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March 28: Worm Moon -

March's Full Moon is also known as the Worm Moon in the Northern Hemisphere. The name derives from the fact that earthworms tend to appear around this time in some locations.

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April 22/23: Lyrid Meteor Shower -

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April 8/9, April 15/16, May 6/7, and May 14/15 : Earthshine Nights -

The Waxing and Waning Crescent Moon phases in April and May were the best time to see earthshine. The dull glow is also known as Da Vinci glow.

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April 26/27: Super Moon/Pink Moon -

April was the month of the Pink Full Moon. In 2021, it was also a Super Moon, so it looked bigger than your average Full Moon.

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May 5/6: Eta Aquarid Meteors -

The shooting stars from the Eta Aquarids peaked on May 5-6.

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May 26: Super Moon/Flower Moon -

May 2021 saw the Flower Moon, named after the flowers that bloom around this time in the Northern Hemisphere. This is also a Super Moon, so it looked bigger and brighter than usual!

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May 26: Total Lunar Eclipse -

On the same day a total lunar eclipse also occurred! The Super Flower Moon eclipse was visible from Australia, parts of the western United States, western South America, and South-East Asia.

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June 10: Annular Solar Eclipse -

The “Ring of Fire” solar eclipse, as it's known in northern Canada, parts of Greenland, and northeastern parts of Russia, started at 9:49 UTC. This event was only visible in northern regions.

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June 21: June Solstice -

This is known as the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, and the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. It's the longest and the shortest day of the year, depending on the hemisphere.

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June 24: Strawberry Moon -

June saw the Strawberry Full Moon, which is colloquially named after the berries that grow in the Northern Hemisphere around this time.

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July 24: Buck Moon -

July's full moon is also known as the Buck Moon because male deer lose their antlers around this time of the year. It is also known as the Thunder Moon, Hay Moon, and Wort Moon.

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July 12: Venus-Mars Conjunction -

The two planets appeared together in the night sky. Venus was particularly bright.

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August 12/13: Perseid Meteors -

These are the most prolific meteor showers of the year. They usually occur between July 17 and August 24. The Perseid Meteors are named after the constellation Perseus, from which they radiate.

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August 18: Mars-Mercury Conjunction -

This close encounter is not very easy to spot because it occurs close to sunset. Still, those with a clear view of the western horizon might have been able to catch it.

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August 22: Blue Moon/Sturgeon Moon -

August's Full Moon is also known as the Grain Moon, Green Corn Moon, Fruit Moon, and Barley Moon.

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September 20: Harvest Moon -

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September 22: September Equinox -

The Fall or Autumnal equinox marks the first day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of spring in the Southern Hemisphere.

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October 8/9: Draconid Meteor Shower -

The best time to see this shooting stars spectacle is just after nightfall. They are named after the constellation Draco, the dragon, which is visible in the far northern sky.

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October 20: Hunter's Moon -

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October 21/22: Orionid Meteor Shower -

The second meteor shower of the month peaked on October 21-22, but it usually remains active between October 2 and November 7. The best times to see it are just after midnight and before sunrise.

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November 17/18: Leonid Meteor Shower -

These are visible between November 6 and 30, but peak of shooting stars per hour goes from the night of November 17 and to the early morning of November 18.

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November 19: Micro Full Moon/Beaver Moon -

The Micro Full Moon occurs when the Moon is closest to its apogee. This November Full Moon is also known as a Beaver Moon, after beavers that build their dams around this time of year.

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December 4: Total Solar Eclipse -

The total solar eclipse will only be visible in Antarctica. But a partial solar eclipse will be visible in parts of southern Africa, including South Africa and Namibia.

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December 13/14: Geminid Meteors -

The Geminids will be visible from December 4 to 20, but will peak on the night of December 13 and the early morning hours of December 14.

Sources: (Time and Date AS) (National Geographic) (Smithsonian Magazine)

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The most anticipated astronomical events of 2021

Witness the final full moon of 2021 on December 18 and 19

17/12/21 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Celestial

Astronomers and dark sky enthusiasts alike have been lucky this year. There were spectacular meteor showers, lunar and solar eclipses, planet conjunctions, and lots of special full moons. Indeed, 2021 was the year to stargaze and enjoy a number of fascinating celestial events.

The last full moon of the year is often called the “Cold Christmas Moon” and is seen just a few days before the winter solstice. It will be officially full on Saturday, December 18, but will be best viewed around dusk on Sunday, December 19.

Intrigued? Browse throughout the following gallery for a view of what happened in the skies in 2021, as well as heads up about the last few astronomical events of the year.