It's true that many things have happened in the last year. But we get so preoccupied with what's on the ground we forget that things happen out there too. Since we're almost done with 2022, here are celestial events to look forward to in 2023.
Quadrantids Meteor Shower
The meteor shower will overlap between 2022 and 2023, as it starts from December 12, 2022, to January 12, 2023. The peak rate of meteors will be around January 4, 2023, with up to 40 meteors per hour. Speculations say that the shower is produced by the remnant dust grains of 2003 EH1. Watch out for it near the Bootes constellation.
α-Centaurid Meteor Shower
If you missed your chance to catch one in the Quadrantids Meteor Shower, maybe you'll get lucky this time. The shower will be active from January 28 to February 21. Its peak would be on February 8, which will show around six meteors per hour. Better keep a close eye on its radiant point, the Centaurus constellation, as suggested by In-The-Sky.org.
March Equinox
It's not really something you watch out for in the sky, but it's a cool thing to think about. The equinox means that everyone in the world will experience 12 hours of day and night. This is due to the Sun shining directly at the equator.
Hybrid Solar Eclipse
This eclipse is an interesting one. It appears as a total eclipse in some parts and an annular eclipse in others. It will start in the southern Indian Ocean and will pass across parts of western Australia and southern Indonesia.
The partial eclipse will be visible in places like Heard Island and McDonald Islands, French Southern Territories, Papa New Guinea, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Baker Island, and Howland Island.
Lyrid Meteor Shower
The meteor shower will be active for nine days, from April 16 to 25. However, its peak will be around April 23rd. There will be a thin crescent for that night so the sky will be dark, which is good for stargazing. Look for the Hercules constellation to catch more of them.
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
The eclipse will be happening on May 6th, when the moon will pass through Earth's shadow between 23:15 and 3:32 PST. It will be visible over Africa, Oceania, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Greece. The moon will darken, but not completely.
η-Aquariid Meteor Shower
The meteor shower will be active in the event of the Penumbral Eclipse, from April 19th to May 28th. As it so happens, it will also be the most active on the very same day. Around 40 meteors per hour are expected to be seen on its peak day. You'll be seeing the meteors when you notice the Aquarius constellation above the horizon.
Saturn at Opposition
Saturn will be opposite the Sun, and around the constellation Aquarius. The planet will be at its brightest, and you'll be able to see it with a medium-sized telescope. You may even see some of its moons. So get your camera ready and snap a few shots.
Related: Quadrantid Meteor Shower: Best Time to View, How to Watch Online With Virtual Telescope
