For those cosmonaut lovers, keeping in mind the dates of the astronomical events that will occur throughout the year is crucial. Well, thanks to this you can prevent astronomical observation and enjoy it in its maximum splendor. Fortunately, most cosmic phenomena do not require specialized instruments to admire them, all you have to do is look at the right place on the right date. That is why we have organized a 2022 astronomical calendar month by month so that you can enjoy the cosmos and its beauty without setbacks.
Meteor showers, solar and lunar eclipses will take place throughout 2022, and the cosmos will delight us with the observations of the planets that will parade through the ecliptic. And as usual, the most important dates for those in close connection with nature; the solstices and equinoxes. All the details in the 2022 month-by-month astronomical calendar, so you can schedule an appointment with the Universe and delight your senses.
astronomical calendar 2022
They extend annually between January 1 and 5, but in 2022 their highest activity will occur between the night of the 3rd and the early morning of the 4th. It is an above average shower with 40 meteors per hour, so it is ideal to observe it. In addition, the thin moon that will be in the waxing phase will keep the sky dark in order to clearly visualize the show. It is believed that this shower is produced by the remains of comet 2003 EH and its flashes arise from the constellation Bootes.
January 7: Greatest Eastern Elongation of Mercury
The planet Mercury reaches its greatest easterly elongation of 19.2 degrees from the Sun. The best time to observe the first planet of the Solar System at its highest point above the horizon is at sunset. To observe it, you have to look west just after sunset.
January 17: Full Wolf Moon
The first full moon of 2022 arrives on January 17 with the full Moon of Lobo. The satellite will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be completely illuminated, a phase that will enter at 23:51 UTC. Early Native American tribes called the full moon in January the Wolf Moon, as it was the time of year when hungry wolf packs howled outside their camps. However, in other cultures it is also known as the Old Moon and the Moon after Yule.
The full Snow Moon will arrive on February 16, when it will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun. Its location will allow it to be observed in its maximum splendor with its face fully illuminated. The entry of the full moon of February will be given at exactly 16:59 UTC. It is known as the Snow Moon thanks to the early Native American tribes, because the heaviest snowfall generally fell during this time of year. Since hunting is difficult, some tribes have also known this moon as the Hunger Moon, as the harsh weather made hunting difficult.
On the same date, Mercury’s closest approach to the west will occur, the day on which it can be photographed as a bright flash in the sky. To observe it, you have to look towards the west just before dawn
At 07:20 UTC the Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun, producing a full phase and its fully illuminated face can be observed. The March full phase will enter at 07:20 UTC. It is called Worm Moon thanks to the first Native American tribes that lived in close connection with nature. They were aware that at this time of year the soil would start to soften and earthworms would reappear.
In 2022 spring will officially enter at 15:24 UTC in the northern hemisphere, and it will also mark the entrance of autumn for the southern hemisphere. During the day, the sun will shine on the equator, consequently, both the north and the south will enjoy almost the same hours of light as darkness.
April
The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Sun and the Earth, allowing its fully illuminated face to be observed. The phase known as the Pink Moon will occur at 18:57 UTC. It owes its name to the first Native American tribes, as it marked the appearance of the moss rose, one of the first spring flowers.
With a period that goes from April 16 to 25, the Lyrids are a shower of stars produced by the reminiscences left behind by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. Its maximum activity will take place between the night of April 22 and the early morning of April 23, with a visibility of a maximum of 20 meteors per hour.
The Moon will stand between the Earth and the Major Astro producing a partial solar eclipse. This occurs when the Moon is far from Earth and does not completely cover the sunlight. The result is a beautiful ring of fire around the eclipsed Sun. This phenomenon will be visible in most of the southeastern Pacific Ocean and southern South America. With better visibility from Argentina with a coverage of 53%.
May
May 6 and 7: Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower
It is not particularly one of the most active meteor showers of the year, although if you have the necessary dark conditions you can see lights crossing the sky. With a period that goes from April 19 to May 28 and reaching its peak between the 6th and 7th of the month. In the northern hemisphere, the rate can reach about 30 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust particles left behind by Halley’s Comet, which has been observed since ancient times.
May 16: Flores full moon and total lunar eclipse
At 04:15 UTC the Moon will enter its May full moon known to Native American tribes as the Full Flower Moon. This was because it is the season when flowers are reborn from their rest after winter.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes completely through Earth’s dark shadow known as the umbra. In these astronomical events, the Moon gradually darkens and then turns blood red, which is why it is also known as the Blood Moon. The eclipse will be visible across all of North America, Greenland, the Atlantic Ocean, and parts of western Europe and western Africa.
June
June 14: Super Strawberry Moon
The natural satellite will be located very close to Earth and it will be possible to observe it larger than usual, which is why it is called a Supermoon. The name of strawberry was attributed to the Native American tribes since the ripe fruit was harvested at this time. The phase will be given at 11:52 UTC.
June 21: Summer Solstice
The Earth’s North Pole will be tilted towards the Sun, so the longest day of the year will occur in this region at the summer solstice. In contrast, the South Pole will be further from the Sun, marking the beginning of winter and the shortest day. The June solstice will officially occur on June 21, 2022 at 09:05 UTC.
July
July 13: Supermoon of Deer
The astronomical calendar for July 2022 will give us the second Supermoon of three that will occur in all of 2022. The satellite will be closer to Earth and will look larger than usual in its full phase. The full moon of this season is known as the Deer Moon because it is the time when the males of this species begin to develop their new antlers.
July 28 and 29: Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower
During the month of July Comet 96P Machholz gets close enough to Earth to make its cosmic remains visible. Consequently, it gives us the interaction of its cosmic dust with the Earth’s atmosphere, a phenomenon we know as a meteor shower. From July 12 to August 23, the meteors cross the celestial vault, although it will be at dawn on July 28 when they reach their highest point.
August
August 12: Super Sturgeon Moon
The third Supermoon that the 2022 astronomical calendar will give us will be on August 12. Known as the Sturgeon Moon, it will enter its full moon phase at precisely 01:36 UTC. It is named in this way, thanks to the fact that sturgeon fish from the great lakes were more easily caught during this time.
August 12 and 13: Perseid Meteor Shower
The Perseids are one of the best meteor showers to observe, as they reach a zenithal hourly rate of up to 60 meteors per hour at their peak. They are produced by the interaction between the debris left behind by the Swift-Tuttle comet and the Earth’s atmosphere. But their most relevant quality is that they are famous for producing a large number of bright meteors. It runs annually from July 17 to August 24, with its peak between August 12 and 13.
August 14: Saturn at opposition
The ringed planet will move closer to our planet, revealing its face fully illuminated by the sun. It will be brighter than at any other time of the year and will be visible throughout the night. For those who love astrophotography, this is the best time to view and photograph both Saturn and its moons.
September
September 10: Full Harvest Moon
The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be fully illuminated, a phase that will occur at 09:58 UTC. Native American tribes knew this full moon as the Corn Moon, since corn is harvested at this time of year. This moon is also known as the Harvest Moon. The harvest moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the September equinox each year.
September 16: Neptune at opposition
The blue giant will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will appear brighter than at any other time of the year throughout the night. This date is the best time to look for it in the sky, although due to its distance from Earth, it will only appear as a small blue dot in all but the most powerful telescopes.
September 23: Autumn Equinox
The September equinox marks the beginning of autumn for the northern hemisphere and the beginning of spring for the southern hemisphere. This 2022 will be on September 23 at 00:55 UTC.
September 26: Jupiter at opposition
The largest planet in the Solar System will approach its closest approach to Earth and it will be seen much brighter than at any other time of the year. Astrophotography lovers will have the opportunity to photograph it, as well as capture at least four of its largest moons. For the latter, a pair of powerful binoculars will suffice.
October
October 7: Draconids Meteor Shower
It is one of the minor rains of the 2022 astronomical calendar, with only 10 flashes per hour. It is an unusual shower though in that the best view is at sunset rather than early morning like most other showers. It occurs annually from October 6 to 10 and peaks this year on the night of the 7th.
October 9: Blood Moon
The natural satellite will position itself on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun, illuminating…