Question For Today- Are You a Stargazer?
By DB
@dgobucks226 (35762)
February 9, 2024 7:55pm CST
I am a stargazer, it's fascinating when a celestial body of some sort is visible in the sky. And throughout the year, we have many opportunities to view them. Although in my case, most times when one occurs, my state is not in the best location to witness them at their best. Or worse, the weather is cloudy. 
Anyway, if you missed the meteor shower which brought in the New Year, don't worry, 2024 brings other celestial events to catch in the sky.
Here are a few dates to focus in on:
*FULL MOONS
- Each month features a full moon with a neat name attached to them. January was called the "Wolf Moon" for example. Check out the Old Farmer's Almanac for details on when they arrive.
*METEOR SHOWERS
-When a small piece of an asteroid enters our atmosphere and burns up that's when we will notice a streak of light flashing across the sky. NASA says they occur several times a year.
Here are a couple upcoming dates to watch for them if they occur in you "neck of the woods."
-Sunday, April 21 through Monday, April 22
-Saturday, May 4 through Sunday, May 5
***Good luck, my area of the country never seems to have prime viewing. 
*COMET
-These heavenly bodies orbit the earth and are made of ice and dust. When they come close to the sun the materials burn causing them to vaporize. The result is the streaky tail you see.
Optimal viewing depends on several factors like having a telescope, their brightness, and orbit. One comet is visible to the naked eye per year although they are very faint and not a great show.
*ECLIPSES
-When the moon passes through the face of sun and blocks it and amazing event occurs, a solar eclipse.
***Total solar eclipse - Monday, April 8
-The next one is not until 2044 so if you're in the best viewing area don't miss it!
Did you see any eclipses, or meteor showers or other celestial events? I did see a lunar eclipse last summer where the moon turns dark. The Sun, Earth, and Moon are in a straight line when this happens, but when the earth passes between the sun and moon an eclipse occurs.
So that's your 2024 heavenly body lineup. What's your favorite type of sky event to witness?
I am going with the meteor showers or "shooting stars" as us novices call them. No telescope or binoculars needed for viewing. For me just a warm blanket and a front row seat on the beach...
Sources: Wikipedia and CBS News
Anyway, if you missed the meteor shower which brought in the New Year, don't worry, 2024 brings other celestial events to catch in the sky.
Here are a few dates to focus in on:
*FULL MOONS
- Each month features a full moon with a neat name attached to them. January was called the "Wolf Moon" for example. Check out the Old Farmer's Almanac for details on when they arrive.
*METEOR SHOWERS
-When a small piece of an asteroid enters our atmosphere and burns up that's when we will notice a streak of light flashing across the sky. NASA says they occur several times a year.
Here are a couple upcoming dates to watch for them if they occur in you "neck of the woods."
-Sunday, April 21 through Monday, April 22
-Saturday, May 4 through Sunday, May 5
***Good luck, my area of the country never seems to have prime viewing.
*COMET
-These heavenly bodies orbit the earth and are made of ice and dust. When they come close to the sun the materials burn causing them to vaporize. The result is the streaky tail you see.
Optimal viewing depends on several factors like having a telescope, their brightness, and orbit. One comet is visible to the naked eye per year although they are very faint and not a great show.
*ECLIPSES
-When the moon passes through the face of sun and blocks it and amazing event occurs, a solar eclipse.
***Total solar eclipse - Monday, April 8
-The next one is not until 2044 so if you're in the best viewing area don't miss it!
Did you see any eclipses, or meteor showers or other celestial events? I did see a lunar eclipse last summer where the moon turns dark. The Sun, Earth, and Moon are in a straight line when this happens, but when the earth passes between the sun and moon an eclipse occurs.
So that's your 2024 heavenly body lineup. What's your favorite type of sky event to witness?
I am going with the meteor showers or "shooting stars" as us novices call them. No telescope or binoculars needed for viewing. For me just a warm blanket and a front row seat on the beach...
Sources: Wikipedia and CBS News9 people like this
10 responses
@dgobucks226 (35762)
•
13 Feb
Do you want to believe?
Fun Celestial Facts:
-There are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth. That’s at least a billion trillion!
That's a lot to look at up there. lol.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (35762)
•
15 Feb
@porwest Yes, space seems endless. As James T. Kirk says, "to boldly go where no man has gone before.” And discover what's "really" out there.
1 person likes this
@porwest (92661)
• United States
14 Feb
@dgobucks226 Yes, it is, and I also find it nearly impossible to believe we are completely alone partly for that reason. And of course, the number of stars is nothing more than an educated guess. I would assume that as much as we know about space, in reality, we know nothing at all about it.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472087)
• Switzerland
10 Feb
I also enjoy stargazing. In our area Meteor showers are on the following dates
Liridi 22 and 23 of April
Aquaridi 5 and 6 of May
South Aquaridi July 30 and 31
"THE BEST" Perseidi August 12 and 13
Geminidi December 14 and 15
Ursidi December 23 and 24
I have the full calendar for the year
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (472087)
• Switzerland
13 Feb
@dgobucks226 Perseidi has always been the most important and most beautiful meteor shower. We know this very well in Italy. According to tradition, on the night of August 10, St. Lawrence's Day by observing the sky, one can admire shooting stars and make wishes.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472087)
• Switzerland
14 Feb
@dgobucks226 - I like traditions and St. Lawrence's Night also reminds me a beautiful (but sad) poem that we studied in school.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (90474)
• Arvada, Colorado
10 Feb
Yes my Father taught me all about the stars and skies..he was a Merchant Marine and would love to star gaze while he was out at sea.
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (90474)
• Arvada, Colorado
13 Feb
@dgobucks226 Actually I did know them DB.
No fav sky event, just thinking I am up there with Dad and Mom. And all the rest RIP
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35762)
•
13 Feb
That's really cool. The Universe is full of neat stuff up there!
Do You have a favorite sky event to watch?
Fun Celestial Facts:
-There are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth. That’s at least a billion trillion!
-Comets are leftovers from the creation of our solar system about 4.5 billion years ago.
But you probably already knew these facts, right?
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342179)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Feb
@dgobucks226 It's very lucky that the bigger asteroids burn up before they reach us.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35762)
•
13 Feb
Yes, they are a real phenomenon how Earth can line up a certain way in its orbit along the moon and cause an eclipse of the sun. Most calendar years have two solar eclipses and two lunar eclipses. But the number can sometimes vary.
Fun Celestial Facts:
-An asteroid about the size of a car enters Earth’s atmosphere roughly once a year – but it burns up before it reaches us.
-There are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth. That’s at least a billion trillion!
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (35762)
•
14 Feb
@JudyEv Yes, imagine the damage, wow! Although a few snuck through and caused craters.
1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16147)
• Nairobi, Kenya
10 Feb
Nice article. I like gazing at the sky too. But my country is not in the best position to see things like blood moons. I just view them online after people record and upload.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (35762)
•
13 Feb
Yes, a good way to enjoy them if the conditions are not in your favor. Have you ever witnessed shooting stars, meteor showers or eclipse?
Fun Celestial Facts:
-Comets are leftovers from the creation of our solar system about 4.5 billion years ago.
-An asteroid about the size of a car enters Earth’s atmosphere roughly once a year – but it burns up before it reaches us.
2 people like this
@mildredtabitha (16147)
• Nairobi, Kenya
13 Feb
@dgobucks226 Nice fun facts you shared but I don't think the earth has been around for even one million years. Maybe six thousand years only.
I have ever witnessed an eclipse many years ago when I was a child.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168334)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Feb
The full moon has been lovely so far this year. The solar eclipse on April 8th should be something to see. I enjoy shooting stars. Haven't seen one in ages. I hope you enjoy your 'lineup'.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (139996)
• Roseburg, Oregon
13 Feb
@dgobucks226 I am glad it burns up.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35762)
•
13 Feb
Yes, lots to view up there. Watching the stars and making out the patterns like the Little and Big Dipper can be really cool!
Fun Celestial Facts:
-An asteroid about the size of a car enters Earth’s atmosphere roughly once a year – but it burns up before it reaches us.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181821)
• United States
10 Feb
Did you see Hale Bopp? It was enormous in the sky and couldn't be missed. No telescope was needed...it was huge. Most amazing thing I've ever seen. Have a good weekend.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (181821)
• United States
13 Feb
@dgobucks226 I'll be long gone by then. Too bad you missed Hale Bopp. That was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
1 person likes this
@Butterfingers (66583)
• India
10 Feb
I won't say that I am so much interested in it but I may watch if the celestial body is easily visible
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (35762)
•
13 Feb
What astronomical events are visible in India in 2024?
This year sky watchers will get to see a total solar eclipse, two lunar eclipses and a dozen of meteor showers.
Be on the lookout. 
Fun Celestial Facts:
-Comets are leftovers from the creation of our solar system about 4.5 billion years ago.
-There are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth. That’s at least a billion trillion!
Fun Celestial Facts:
-Comets are leftovers from the creation of our solar system about 4.5 billion years ago.
-There are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth. That’s at least a billion trillion!2 people like this
