For those cosmonaut lovers, keeping in mind the dates of the astronomical events that will occur throughout the year is crucial. Well, thanks to this you can prevent astronomical observation and enjoy it in its maximum splendor. Fortunately, most cosmic phenomena do not require specialized instruments to admire them; you just have to look at the right place on the right date. For this reason, we have organized a 2022 month by month so that you can enjoy the cosmos and its beauty without setbacks.
Meteor showers, solar and lunar eclipses will take place throughout 2022, and the cosmos will also delight us with the observations of those who will parade through the ecliptic. And as usual, the most important dates for those in close connection with nature; the solstices and equinoxes. All the details in the month by month of 2022, so you can schedule an appointment with the Universe and delight your senses.
Astronomical calendar 2022
January
January 3 and 4: Quadrantid Star Shower
They extend annually between January 1 and 5, but in 2022 their highest activity will occur between the night of the 3rd and the early morning of the 4th. It is an above-average shower with 40 meteors per hour, so it is ideal to observe it. In addition, the thin moon that will be in the crescent phase will maintain the sky to be able to clearly visualize the spectacle. This shower is believed to be produced by the remains of 2003 EH and its flashes emerge from the constellation Bootes.
January 7: Mercury’s greatest eastern elongation
The planet Mercury reaches its greatest eastward elongation of 19.2 degrees from the Sun. It is the best time to observe the Solar System’s first planet at its highest point above the horizon at sunset. To observe it, you have to look west just after sunset.
January 17: Full Wolf Moon
The first full moon of 2022 arrives on January 17 with the full Wolf Moon. The satellite will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be completely illuminated, a phase that will enter at 23:51 UTC. Early Native American tribes called January’s full moon the Wolf Moon, as it was the time of year when packs of hungry wolves howled outside their camps. However, in other cultures it is also known as the Old Moon and the Moon after Yule.
February
February 16: Full Snow Moon and maximum western elongation of Mercury
It will arrive on February 16, when it will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun. Its location will allow it to be observed in its maximum splendor with its face completely illuminated. The entry of the February full moon will occur exactly at 16:59 UTC. It is known as the Snow Moon by early Native American tribes, because the heaviest snowfall generally fell during this time of year. Since hunting is difficult, some tribes have also known this moon as the Hunger Moon, as the harsh climate made hunting difficult.
On the same date, Mercury’s closest approach to the west will occur, a day when it can be photographed as a bright flash in the sky. To observe it you have to look west just before dawn
March
March 18: Worm Moon (full)
At 07:20 UTC the Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun, producing a full phase and its completely illuminated side can be observed. The March full phase will enter at 07:20 UTC. It is called the Worm Moon thanks to the first Native American tribes who lived in close connection with nature. They were aware that, at this time of year, the ground was beginning to soften and the soils would reappear.
March 20: Spring Equinox
In 2022, spring will officially enter at 15:24 UTC in the northern hemisphere, and will also mark the entry of autumn for the southern hemisphere. During the day, the sun will shine on the , consequently, both the north and the south will enjoy almost the same hours of light as darkness.
April
April 16: Pink Moon
The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Sun and the Earth, allowing its completely illuminated side to be observed. The phase known as the Pink Moon will occur at 18:57 UTC. It owes its name to the first Native American tribes, as it marked the appearance of the moss rose, one of the first of spring.
April 22 and 23: Lyrid meteor shower
With a period that goes from April 16 to 25, the Lyrids are one produced by the reminiscences left in its wake by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. Its maximum activity will take place between the night of April 22 and the early morning of April 23, with a visibility of a maximum of 20 meteors per hour.
April 30: Partial Solar Eclipse
The Moon will come between the Earth and the Sun, producing a partial solar eclipse. This occurs when the Moon is far from the Earth and cannot completely cover the sunlight. The result is a beautiful ring of fire around the eclipsed Sun. This phenomenon will be visible in most of the southeastern Pacific Ocean and southern South America. With better visibility from Argentina with a coverage of 53%.
May
May 6 and 7: Eta Aquarid meteor shower
It is not particularly one of the most active meteor showers of the year, although if the necessary dark conditions are present, lights can be observed crossing the sky. With a period that goes from April 19 to May 28 and reaching its peak between the 6th and 7th of the month. In the northern hemisphere, the rate can reach about 30 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust particles left by Halley’s Comet, which has been observed since ancient times.
May 16: Full Flower Moon and total lunar eclipse
At 04:15 UTC the Moon will enter its May full moon known to Native American tribes as the Full Moon. This was because it is the season when flowers are reborn from their rest after winter.
A Moon crash occurs when it completely passes through Earth’s dark shadow known as the umbra. In these events, the Moon gradually darkens and then turns blood red, which is why it is also known as a Blood Moon. The eclipse will be visible across North America, the Atlantic Ocean, and parts of Western Europe and West Africa.
June
June 14: Super Strawberry Moon
The natural satellite will be located very close to the Earth and can be observed larger than usual, which is why it is called Supermoon. The name strawberry was attributed to the Native American tribes since at this time the ripe fruit was harvested. The phase will take place at 11:52 UTC.
June 21: Summer Solstice
The North Pole of the Earth will be tilted towards the Sun, so the longest day of the entire year will occur in this region on the summer solstice. On the other hand, the South Pole will be further away from the Sun, marking the onset of winter and the shorter day. The June solstice will officially occur on June 21, 2022 at 09:05 UTC.
July
July 13: Super Deer Moon
The astronomical calendar for July 2022 will give us the second Supermoon of three that will occur throughout 2022. The satellite will be closer to Earth and will look larger than usual in its full phase. The full moon of this season is known as the Deer Moon as it is the time when the males of this species begin to develop their new antlers.
July 28 and 29: Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower
During the month of July, Comet 96P Machholz approaches Earth enough to make its cosmic remains visible. Consequently, it gives us the interaction of its cosmic dust with the terrestrial dust, a phenomenon we know as star or meteor showers. From July 12 to August 23, the meteors cross the celestial vault, although it will be in the early morning of July 28 when they reach their highest point.
August
August 12: Super Sturgeon Moon
The third Supermoon that the 2022 astronomical calendar will give us will be on August 12. Known as the Sturgeon Moon, it will enter its full moon phase precisely at 01:36 UTC. It is named this way, thanks to the fact that sturgeon fish from the large lakes were more easily caught during this time.
August 12 and 13: Perseid meteor shower
Meteor showers are one of the best meteor showers to observe, reaching an hourly zenith rate of up to 60 meteors per hour at their peak. They are produced by the interaction between debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle and the Earth’s atmosphere. But their most relevant quality is that they are famous for producing a large number of bright meteors. It runs annually from July 17 to August 24, peaking between August 12 and 13.
August 14: Saturn in opposition
The ringed planet will get closer to our planet, revealing its face completely illuminated by the sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible throughout the night. For those who love nature, this is the best time to see and photograph both Saturn and its moons.
September
September 10: Full Harvest Moon
The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be completely illuminated, a phase that will occur at 09:58 UTC. Native American tribes knew this full moon as the Corn Moon, as corn is harvested at this time of year. This moon is also known as the Harvest Moon. The Harvest Moon is the full moon that occurs closest to each year.
September 16: Neptune in opposition
The blue giant will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be completely illuminated by the Sun. It will appear brighter than at any other time of the year throughout the night. This date is the best time to look for it in the sky, although due to its distance from Earth, it will only appear as a small blue dot in all but the most powerful telescopes.
September 23: Autumn Equinox
The September equinox will mark the entry of autumn for the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere. This 2022 will be on September 23 at 00:55 UTC.
September 26: Jupiter in opposition
The largest planet in the Solar System will approach at its closest approach to Earth and will be seen much more illuminated than at any other time of the year. Astrophotography lovers will have the opportunity to photograph it, as well as capture at least four of its largest moons. For the latter, a pair of powerful binoculars will suffice.
October
October 7: Draconid Meteor Shower
It is one of the minor rains of the 2022 astronomical calendar, with only 10 flashes per hour. Although it is an unusual rain in that the best view is at dusk rather than in the early morning like most other rains. It occurs annually from October 6 to 10 and peaks this year on the night of the 7th.