Ready your picnic blankets and grab a pair of binoculars. Astronomy events, 2021's highly-anticipated happenings, are about to light up the summer sky, and you won’t want to miss a single one. From meteor showers to blue moons, our solar system’s free entertainment is certainly going to be a crowd-pleaser.
Although the fun kicks off in May with a Blood Moon, we've rounded up what you can expect during the dog days of summer. Make sure to mark your calendars!
Astronomy Events 2021
Venus-Mars Conjunction
On July 12, after sunset, people can turn their direction towards the western horizon for more astronomy events to catch a glimpse of this planetary meet-cute, where Venus and Mars will touch and be joined by a crescent moon. This will most easily be seen through a backyard telescope, per National Geographic.
Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks
Exactly one month after the Venus-Mars Conjunction, astronomy enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks on August 12 and 13. Up to 60 shooting stars per hour are expected, and this year’s sky will be especially clear and dark, making the happening all the more visible.
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Blue Moon
The seasonal blue moon on August 22 means that there is an extra full moon; typically, there are three, but this year we’ve been gifted with four. While we might not necessarily witness a blue tint, the moon will look stunningly bright.
Before marking your summer calendars, be sure to circle May 26, the date of the highly-anticipated Blood Moon. This celestial phenomenon is technically a total lunar eclipse, and we see the red hue due to the way the planets align. (It’s super spooky and eye-catching!) From an astrological standpoint, the significance of a Blood Moon symbolizes new beginnings and a clean slate, so you might feel as if certain elements are heightened. (Be sure to consult your weekly horoscope with any Q’s!)
Although the summer 2021 forecast might be a bit dismal—Farmers’ Almanac is anticipating a lot of rain, heat, and humidity—we can at least look forward to a few nighttime spectaculars!
