Celestial events to watch in 2025

Meteor showers, eclipses and comets. Eye-catching astrological phenomena are happening all the time, if you simply know where to look. Here is a list of the most exciting cosmic events coming to an area near you.

Geminids meteor shower (Nov. 19 - Dec. 24, 2024)

The Geminid shower will run from the middle of November to the end of December, peaking on December 13 and 14. The shower originates from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which differs from other showers that usually come from comets. It is one of the brightest meteor showers of the year with approximately 150 meteors per hour.

This year visibility may be reduced. "In 2024, a nearly full moon will greatly reduce the number of meteors seen," said the American Meteor Organization. But if your skies are clear and transparent, "you can still see many bright meteors by facing a direction with the moon at your back." The best view will be in the Southern Hemisphere in the middle of the night on December 13.

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Quadrantids meteor shower (Dec. 26, 2024 - Jan 16, 2025)

We will ring in the new year with the Quadrantids meteor shower, which peaks between January 2 and 3 and originates from asteroid 2003 EH1. "Most meteor showers have a two-day peak, which makes catching sight of these other meteors much more possible," said NASA. "The Quadrantids peak, on the other hand, is much shorter — only a few hours," because of "the shower's thin stream of particles and the fact that the Earth crosses the stream at a perpendicular angle."

At the shower's peak, it is "expected to produce a nominal rate of around 120 meteors per hour," said In-the-sky.org. "However, this zenithal hourly rate is calculated assuming a perfectly dark sky and that the radiant of the shower is situated directly overhead." To best see the shower, you should be located in the "mid-northern or far-northern latitudes, up in the wee hours of the morning, and hope the peak comes at just the right time to your part of the world," said EarthSky.

Blood moon (March 13 - 14, 2025)

A blood moon or total lunar eclipse will occur in the middle of the night between March 13 and 14. During a total lunar eclipse, the moon "moves into the inner part of Earth's shadow, or the umbra," said NASA. "Some of the sunlight passing through Earth's atmosphere reaches the Moon's surface, lighting it dimly. Colors with shorter wavelengths — the blues and violets ― scatter more easily than colors with longer wavelengths, like red and orange." This makes the moon appear reddish-orange in the sky.

North America, Central America and South America will be able to see the eclipse. Other parts of the world will likely see a partial eclipse. The blood moon is expected to last just over an hour after 2 a.m. on March 14, during which the moon will be at its reddest.

Partial solar eclipse (March 29, 2025)

March also includes a partial solar eclipse where the sun will appear as a crescent while the moon mostly covers it. As a result, there will be "noticeable changes in daylight and temperature," said AZCentral. The event is expected to begin just before 5 a.m. EST on March 29 and peak at approximately 6:47 a.m. In the northern hemisphere, some regions could see a maximum of 92% of the sun eclipsed by the moon, "but nowhere on Earth will see a total solar eclipse," said In-the-sky.org.

The eclipse will "be visible in Europe, northern Asia, northern and western Africa, much of North America and northern parts of South America," said AZCentral. Viewing the eclipse directly is dangerous and eclipse glasses are required.

Lyrid meteor shower (April 15 - April 29, 2025)

The Lyrid meteor shower will take place in the middle of April and peak on the dawn of April 22. The meteors in the shower originate from the comet Thatcher. At its peak, there will likely be 10 to 15 Lyrids per hour, however, "the Lyrids are known for uncommon surges that can sometimes bring rates of up to 100 per hour," said EarthSky.

How well the meteors can be seen depends upon a number of factors, "from the time of night to the level of background light," said Royal Museums Greenwich. "A bright sky will drown out the fainter meteors making them much more difficult to see." It's best to view these from a dark location early in the morning on the day of the peak.

Eta Aquarid meteor shower (April 20 - May 21, 2025)

Overlapping with the Lyrid shower, the Eta Aquarids will begin toward the end of April and peak on the dawn of May 5. The Eta Aquarids originate from the famous Halley's comet. At its peak, "in the southern half of the U.S., you might see 10 to 20 meteors per hour under a dark sky, with no moon," said EarthSky. "Farther south — at latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere — you might see two to three times that number."

The Eta Aquarids are visible to the naked eye and do not require a telescope. For best viewing, visit a location free from street lights and light pollution and allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness.