| 2022: Stargazing Highlights (2022-1-02) ⬅︎ |
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With the life-changing events since early 2020, many people have turned to stargazing to experience
both the calm and the invigoration that come from connecting with our amazing universe. Does this
include you?
Whether you are a new or a seasoned stargazer, check out our list of 2022 stargazing highlights below
and
Star Guide tools — plenty to keep any stargazer busy exploring the night sky throughout the year from
the Starry Hill region.
Stargazing Highlights of 2022
🌟 Jan 5: Mars meets 'Not-Mars'
Yes, there's a star whose name means 'Not-Mars' -- the star Antares. And, like Mars, Antares is bright red. Our
ancestors would get these two mixed up in our sky and hence the name.
This year, Mars and Antares will meet side-by-side in the morning giving you a chance to see if you can tell
them apart. Good
luck!
more
🌟 Apr 29: The Best Opportunity to See Elusive Mercury
Most stargazers have never seen Mercury since it is so close to the sun. This month, Mercury's angular distance
from the
sun, or elongation, will be maximized and its position along the ecliptic will be ideal making it a great time
in 2022 to try to spot this small world.
more
🌟 Apr 30: A Black Moon
Many people have heard of a blue moon but few know what a black moon is. We will be having one
on
this day and,
no, you won't be able to see it. Here's your chance to find out what it is and why it can't be seen.
more
🌟 May 15: An Evening Blood Moon
Yes, a total lunar eclipse is coming which will turn the moon deep red. Good news: this one will be visible in the
evening. But there
is some not-so-good news too....
more
🌟 Jun 20-27: Naked-Eye Planets Align in Order
The five naked-eye planets -- Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn -- will be visible and in order in a very rare
planetary
alignment. Here's your chance to spot all five planets in order with only your eyes. Good luck!
more
🌟 Aug/Sep: A Time for Giants
Many stargazers would agree that the most spectacular planets are Jupiter and Saturn and they know that the best
time to view
them is at opposition. In 2022, Saturn reaches opposition on August 14 while Jupiter reaches it on September 26.
The entire time between these dates will be great for viewing both worlds. Get your telescope ready for some
amazing views.
Jupiter
Saturn
🌟 Aug 27: God of War travels between the Pleiades and Hyades
In ancient mythology, Mars was the god of war. The Pleiades, or Seven Sisters, were the beautiful daughters of the
titan Atlas and the sea-nymph Pleione. This couple also had another set of daughters known as the Hyades. All are
memorialized in our sky as the planet Mars and the Pleiades and Hyades star
clusters. On this day, Mars will appear to pass between the clusters. Get your
binocular ready.
more
🌟 Nov 8: A Morning Blood Moon
Yes, a 2nd total lunar eclipse is coming which will turn the moon deep red. Good news: this one will be visible in its
entirety.
more
🌟 Dec 7: After 26 Months, a Mars Opposition
Would you like to view a volcano as big as Washington State, a canyon large enough to stretch across the USA and
polar ice
caps made of
carbon dioxide? Every 26 months stargazers get their chance to view these features on the Martian surface when
Mars
is at opposition with Earth.
more
Star Guide Tools
You can find far more events and special
stargazing tools in the Star Guide feature of our website:
🌟 Solar System - a calendar of events in our solar
system for every
day of the year
🌟 Deep Space - a list of targets outside our solar
system for every month
🌟 Daily Forecast - sun and moon rise/set times for
every
day of the year
🌟 Sky Map - a map of the sky showing stars, planets
and deep space objects for any time
Let's all hope for lots of Clear Skies in 2022! Questions? Email Us
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