Major Celestial Events in 2023 You Don't Want To Miss
- Written by
- On Tuesday, January 3, 2023
Looking for the most impressive major celestial events in 2023? We’ve got you covered. If you love gazing into space and enjoying the natural splendor, then you need to mark your calendars for these major astronomical events in the new year.
One of the best things about cabin life, off-grid living, and remote camping is the chance to appreciate our world and its awe-inspiring beauty away from the bright city lights. So these major celestial events would be the perfect reason to plan a vacation or trip out to your cabin home. You really don’t want to miss your chance at appreciating these night sky performances.
From meteor showers to solar eclipses, these cool upcoming space events are out of this world. Make sure to read all the way through because the king of all meteor showers is slotted for December of 2023!
What space things will happen in 2023?
Quadrantids Meteor Shower: January 3, 4, 2023
There will be up to 40 meteors per hour at its peak expected for the Quadrantids Meteor shower to kick off the year with an impressive show! Officially considered above average, this meteor show was discovered back in 2003 and is thought to be produced by dust grains left behind from an extinct comet. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight.
Hybrid Solar Eclipse: April 20, 2023
A hybrid solar eclipse is actually one of the most rare solar eclipses when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, totally or partly obscuring the sun from Earth’s view. Blocking all direct sunlight and turning day into night, this hybrid solar eclipse will be visible throughout Indonesia and Australia.
Lyrids Meteor Shower: April 22, 23, 2023
Not quite as vibrant as the Quadrantids shower in January, the Lyrids Meteor shower in April is expected to produce about 20 meteors per hour at its peak. Produced by dust particles from a comet originally discovered in 1861, this meteor shower will hit its peak visibility on the night of the 22nd, into the morning of the 23rd. The thin crescent moon will make nighttime visibility even better!
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: May 5, 2023
Occurring when the moon passes through Earth’s partial shadow, the Penumbral lunar eclipse will darken the sky slightly but not completely like a solar eclipse. This particular eclipse will be visible from Asia and Australia, as well as parts of eastern Europe and eastern Africa.
Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower: May 6, 7, 2023
One of the most impressive meteor showers to look forward to in 2023, the Eta Aquarids meteor shower expects up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak in the Southern Hemisphere. Produced by dust particles from one of the most famous comets of all time - Halley’s comet - the shower officially runs from late April through the end of May with its peak visibility on the night of Saturday, May 6th into the morning of the 7th. If you’re feeling stressed out by city life, this would be great time to escape to a cabin to see the meteor shower!
Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower: July 28, 29, 2023
An average shower producing about 20 meteors per hour at its peak, the Delta Aquarids shower is produced by debris from two separate comets, Marsden and Kract. The nearly full moon on Friday, July 28th will make the meteors a bit more faint this year, but there’s still a chance you could catch some good ones!
Perseids Meteor Shower: August 12, 13, 2023
Another one of the best meteor showers of the year, Perseids will produce 60 meteors per hour at its peak and is famous for the large number of bright meteors it typically produces. On the night of Saturday, August 12th the night sky should have good visibility with only a crescent moon. Produced by dust from the Swift-Tuttle comet discovered in 1862, the best viewing will be after midnight.
Annular Solar Eclipse: October 14, 2023
A partial eclipse visible in North and South America, the annular solar eclipse will begin in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of southern Canada and make its way across the southwestern portion of the United States and Central America. The Moon will be too far from the Earth to completely cover the sun, resulting in a ring of light around the darkened moon.
Orionids Meteor Shower: October 21, 22, 2023
The first quarter moon on the night of Saturday, October 21st may block some of the meteors, but once it sets after midnight viewing will be ideal for the Orionids meteor shower. Producing up to 20 meteors per hour. This is also a meteor shower produced by debris left behind from comet Halley, observed since ancient times.
Partial Lunar Eclipse: October 28, 2023
The Moon will pass through the Earth’s partial shadow to create the partial lunar eclipse. During this celestial event the Moon will darken as it moves through Earth’s shadow and the eclipse will be visible throughout all of Europe, Asia, Africa, and western Australia.
Leonids Meteor Shower: November 17, 18, 2023
An average shower with about 15 meteors expected per hour, Leonids is produced by dust from the comet Tempel-Tuttle discovered in 1865. It’s unique in that this shower reaches a peak every 33 years where hundreds of meteors can be seen in an hour. However, 2023 is not a peak year.
Geminids Meteor Shower: December 13, 14, 2023
Officially the best meteor shower in 2023, the Geminids meteor shower is considered by most the best shower in the heavens with an impressive 120 meteors expected per hour at its peak. Produced by dust and debris from the 3200 Phaethon asteroid discovered in 1982, the shower will be an excellent night show you absolutely don’t want to miss - the perfect time to plan a camping trip.
Supermoons in 2023
Not quite as impressive as the meteor showers and eclipses but still a special night for the skies, a supermoon refers to the phenomenon when the moon appears larger and brighter than nominal in the sky because of its close approach to Earth. There will be 4 supermoons in 2023 on July 3rd, August 1st, August 31st, and September 29th.
What planets will be visible in 2023?
Opposition is when the Earth finds itself directly between the sun and another planet, marking it as the best time to see the planet in the night sky. During opposition the planet is its largest and brightest. Saturn will be at opposition on August 27th, visible before dawn.
Neptune, the giant blue planet, will be at opposition on September 19th, brighter than any other time of year and visible all night long - but still just a tiny blue dot in most telescopes. Jupiter’s best visibility will be later in the year, reaching opposition on November 3rd, when it rises at sunset and by midnight it will be near the meridian.
Need a remote cabin where you can go to experience all of these wonders of the night sky? Check out cabin homes for sale in your favorite remote destinations.
