A detailed calendar of astronomical events in 2018, when eclipses, starfalls are expected and when they can be observed, has been compiled by Sputnik Georgia, so that you do not accidentally miss these breathtaking phenomena and can admire them to your heart’s content.
Eclipses
The main astronomical events of 2018 will be total lunar eclipses. In total, three solar and two lunar eclipses will occur in 2018.
Solar eclipses occur on the February, July and August new moon, and lunar eclipses occur on the second January and July full moon.
Lunar
Lunar eclipses occur at moments of the full moon, when three celestial bodies - the Earth, the Sun and the Moon - are located on the same straight line. The Earth's shadow, during lunar eclipses, falls on the Moon. Lunar eclipses can be total or partial, depending on whether the shadow covers the entire lunar disk or part of it.
The first eclipse of 2018 will be a total lunar eclipse and will occur on January 31 at the full moon. The maximum phase of the eclipse will occur at 17:30 Tbilisi time, which will be clearly visible in Alaska, Northwest Canada, East Asia and Australia. Residents of Russia and the CIS countries will also be able to observe the astronomical phenomenon.
© photo: Sputnik / Vladimir Sergeev
Full moon over the Moscow International Business Center "Moscow City"
Another total lunar eclipse in 2018 will occur on the full moon on July 27th. Residents of Russia, the South Caucasus, the Middle East and South Africa will be able to observe the astronomical phenomenon.
During this eclipse, the Earth's natural satellite will pass through the center of the earth's shadow, and the duration of the total shadow eclipse will be 103 minutes, which is the maximum value in the current century.
This eclipse in different phases will be observed on all continents of the Earth, except North America. The total duration of the shadow eclipse will be almost four hours.
Solar
Solar eclipses are an astronomical phenomenon during which the Moon partially or completely covers the solar disk. This astronomical event occurs when the Sun, Moon and Earth line up, creating the impression that our planet's natural satellite is eclipsing the Sun.
Residents of the Earth will not see total solar eclipses in 2018, but as many as three private eclipses are expected.
© photo: Sputnik / Vitaly Belousov
The first partial solar eclipse will occur on February 15 at the new moon; the eclipse will pass through the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, across southern South America and Antarctica. According to Tbilisi time, the maximum phase of the eclipse is expected at 00:52 on February 16.
The second partial solar eclipse will occur at the new moon on July 13th. This astronomical phenomenon will be observed only in the Pacific and Indian oceans, Antarctica and southern Australia. The maximum phase of the eclipse according to Tbilisi time will occur at 07:02.
The third will happen at the new moon on August 11th. The maximum phase of the eclipse will occur at 13:47 Tbilisi time. Residents of countries located in northern and middle latitudes - North America, Scandinavia, Russia, Mongolia and China - will see private phases.
Supermoon
A rare moment of coincidence between the full moon and the Moon's closest approach to the Earth is called a Supermoon. These astronomical phenomena occur every year, but close coincidences of these two moments (perigee and full moon), according to astronomers, are quite rare.
There are two Supermoons expected in 2018, both in January. The 2018 New Year's Supermoon can be observed from the evening of January 1 to the morning of January 2, that is, all night above the southern horizon, provided the weather is clear and cloudless.
The Moon will come very close to the Earth at 01:56 Tbilisi time, and at 6:25 TBS the full moon will occur. On the night of January 2, the Supermoon will be high above the constellation Orion in Gemini, so observers will be treated to a beautiful sight.
The supermoon on January 31, 2018 will coincide with a total lunar eclipse, which will occur at 19:28 Tbilisi time.
Starfalls
Every inhabitant of the planet dreams of seeing a starfall at least once - an unusually beautiful astronomical phenomenon and, accordingly, making a wish. In 2018, the inhabitants of the Earth will have this opportunity more than once.
The first meteor shower of 2018 is the Quadrantids meteorite shower. These are streams with a radiant in the constellation Bootes. It lasts only six days, from January 1 to January 6. But the meteor shower reaches its greatest activity on the night from 3 to 4, during which from 45 to 200 meteors per hour are observed.
Residents of the Northern Hemisphere will be able to observe this astronomical event. The meteor shower is characterized by a large number of weak meteors and an average speed, so you need to be patient.
Lyrids
The constellation Lyra - the spring Lyrid meteor shower, which is expected from April 16 to April 25 - has been giving earthlings a stunning spectacle for several centuries. According to astronomers, this is one of the most ancient “star showers” - mention of it can be found even before our era.
© photo: Sputnik / Vladimir Trefilov
In 2018, the peak of the meteor shower will occur on April 22-23, and the total intensity will be approximately 20 meteors per hour. Residents of the Northern Hemisphere will be able to enjoy this extraordinary astronomical spectacle.
Aquarids
Earthlings will be able to watch the Aquarids starfall as usual in early May. The radiant of the meteor shower is located in the constellation Aquarius. The Aquarids, which begin immediately after the passage of the Lyrids, reach their peak activity on May 6-7.
Aquarids are best seen in the Southern Hemisphere - at the peak of activity, the meteor shower reaches 60-70 meteors in one hour. A less bright astronomical event awaits residents of the Northern Hemisphere.
Perseids
One of the most popular meteor showers, which will delight earthlings from August 10 to 20. The peak of starfall activity usually occurs on August 12-14.
The Perseids are particles from the tail of comet Swift-Tuttle, which approaches our planet approximately once every 135 years. The last time the comet approached our planet was in December 1992.
At the peak of its intensity, the Perseids show up to 100 meteors per hour, and residents of the entire Northern Hemisphere of the Earth will be able to admire this most popular and vibrant astronomical event of the year.
Orionids
In October, the Orionids star shower will rain down on Earth. Earthlings will be able to observe this beautiful meteor shower, the radian of which is located in the constellation Orion, on October 16-27.
The Orionids are a relatively weak meteor shower - peak activity occurs on October 21-22, and the average intensity reaches 20-25 meteors per hour.
Residents of the entire Earth will be able to enjoy this beautiful astronomical phenomenon, but the most colorful spectacle will be seen by residents of the countries of the Northern Hemisphere, including Georgia, where Orion is better visible.
Taurids
Residents of our planet will be able to observe the Taurids starfall from September 7 to November 19. Taurids is a common name for two meteoroids - northern and southern, generating starfalls.
The peak of activity in 2018 will be on November 5-6. Both of these meteor showers have low intensity, no more than 5-7 meteors per hour, but these meteors are very large and bright, and therefore are clearly visible in the autumn night sky.
Residents of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres will be able to observe this astronomical event, but at different times.
Leonids
The Earth annually passes through the Leonids meteor shower, known for its bright and abundant meteor showers, from November 15-22. The peak activity of the meteor shower, whose radiant is in the constellation Leo, usually occurs on November 17-18. During the peak period, no more than 10 bright meteors can be observed in the sky per hour.
It will be possible to see the Leonid starfall from anywhere on Earth, although residents of the Northern Hemisphere will experience a more colorful astronomical event.
Geminids
The intense and beautiful Geminids meteor shower, whose radiant is located in the constellation Virgo, will be observed by earthlings on December 7-18.
This shower reaches its maximum intensity on December 13-14 - during this period it will be possible to observe up to 100 bright and beautiful meteors per hour.
The Geminids meteor shower can be observed from anywhere on the globe, but a particularly bright and colorful show awaits residents of the Northern Hemisphere.
Ursids
The Ursid Starfall gives earthlings the last chance of the year to make a wish - it falls on Earth on December 17 and lasts about 7 days. Radian Ursids is located in the constellation Ursa Minor.
The last meteor shower of the year reaches its peak activity on December 20-22. The intensity of the Ursids is low, with up to 10 "shooting stars" or less visible per hour.
The Ursids are only visible in the Northern Hemisphere as it is the northernmost meteor shower.
The material was prepared based on open sources
Useful tips
Very soon the year 2018 will come into its own, which promises a lot of interesting astronomical events. We continue to inform about these events to all those who look with bated breath at the starry sky, admiring the boundless mystery of space.
You will also learn about many interesting and significant dates in the coming year related to historical events (domestic and foreign) that had one way or another to do with space exploration.
According to the eastern calendar, the upcoming year is the year of the yellow dog. The dog, as you know, is man's friend, so, given the reputation of this symbol of 2018, we can hope that it will pass peacefully, with nice mood.
And even approaching our planet skull-shaped asteroid, which, according to some assumptions, is the nucleus of a degenerate comet (a comet that has lost most of its volatile substances and therefore does not form a tail), will “friendly” fly past at a distance exceeding one hundred distances of the Moon from the Earth.
Astronomical calendar 2018
In 2018, we will have a whole five eclipses: three solar and two lunar. One solar and one lunar eclipse will be observed in the winter of the coming year, while the remaining three eclipses will be observed in the summer months.
Solar eclipses will be recorded in the new year February 15, July 13 and August 11. Lunar eclipses will be celebrated January 31 and July 27. Lunar eclipses will be total; solar eclipses are partial. Only the third solar eclipse will be observed on Russian territory.
In the coming year, it will also be possible to observe how all the celestial bodies of the solar system, revolving around the Sun in their orbit, are somewhat slow down their movement relative to the Earth (that is, they will be retrograde). Most often in 2018, Mercury will be in retrograde – three times.
We should take these phenomena into account, since they limit a person in some new endeavors in a given period, sometimes turning around increased conflict and emotionality. Mercury in the new year will be retrograde during from March 23 to April 15, from July 26 to August 19 and from November 17 to December 7, 2018.
You should take into account the retrograde periods of other planets in the coming year: Venus- With October 5 to November 16; Mars – from June 27 to August 27; Jupiter – from March 9 to July 10; Saturn – from April 18 to September 6; Uranus – from August 7 to January 6; Neptune – from June 19 to November 25; Pluto – from April 22 to October 1.
If you observe the above celestial bodies from the surface of the Earth during retrograde periods, you may get the feeling that one or another planet is moving forward along its trajectory, and then - heading back. In fact, this effect occurs when a celestial body “overtakes” the Earth, then slowing down.
Astronomical objects 2018
In the coming year there will also be a significant event of astronomical proportions, which is repeated once once every 15 or 17 years. This is about The Great Opposition of Mars- a period when the planet Mars, which is closest to the Earth, provides a unique opportunity to study its surface using telescopes.
It is believed that behind such a rapprochement, some significant events are taking place on our planet. The Last Great Opposition of Mars was celebrated August 28, 2003. In 2018 approach of Earth and Mars will also happen in the summer , July 27.
Residents of the southern hemisphere will be the luckiest in the coming year, as they will be able to observe Mars naked eye at zenith. But with the observation of Venus in 2018, the situation is a little worse due to its low position in the evening above the horizon, although it can be detected with the naked eye even in the daytime until the end of October.
Even Uranus will be visible to the naked eye in the coming year, but this will only be possible in autumn months with a clear knowledge of the star chart, and only after preparing your eyes accordingly (after sitting in the dark for half an hour). And to see the disk of the planet very clearly, you need a telescope with magnification 150 times.
Astronomers also predict a potentially dangerous approach to the surface of our planet. 13 asteroids. Asteroids will be the first “swallows” "2003CA4" And "306383 1993VD" that will approach in the end of January. A dangerous approach of an asteroid is also reported 2015 DP155, which will approach the Earth on minimum distance June 11.
This article also pays special attention to “working schedule” of our planet’s satellite: the reader will be able to obtain information about the phases of the Moon by finding out when the Moon is at its minimum distance from the Earth (at perigee) and at its maximum (at apogee); study the schedule of full moons and new moons and more.
So, we bring to your attention the most vivid and memorable astronomical events of 2018, which may be of interest not only to people who are professionally interested in astronomy, but also to ordinary amateurs. All events in the article are recorded in Moscow time.
Astronomical observations 2018
JANUARY
January 3 – today the Quadrantid meteorite shower will reach its pronounced maximum, which only residents of the northern hemisphere of our planet will be able to observe. Some period of peak activity will occur on the night of January 4th. The number of visible meteors per hour (zenith hour number) this year will be about one hundred.
January 31 – Lunar eclipse (peak at 16:30). This will be a total lunar eclipse, which can be observed from the Asian part of Russian territory; from the territory of Belarus, Ukraine; in the eastern part of Western Europe. The eclipse will also be recorded in Central Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Alaska, western Africa and northwestern Canada. In various phases, the eclipse will be available for observation from all over Russia.
In January 2018, the United States of America plans to launch the first super-heavy-class launch vehicle - FalconHeavy. It is assumed that the carrier will be used to deliver cargo to low Earth orbit (up to 64 tons), as well as to Mars (up to 17 tons) and Pluto (up to 3.5 tons).
FEBRUARY
February, 15 – Solar eclipse (peak at 23:52). This partial eclipse will not be observable from the territory of the Russian Federation. However, if you were in South America or Antarctica during this period, you would be presented with a rather beautiful sight (the maximum phase of this eclipse is 0.5991, whereas with a total eclipse it is equal to one).
March, 6 – Today marks the 81st anniversary of the birth of the world’s first female cosmonaut, Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova.
9th of March – Today marks the 84th anniversary of the birth of pilot-cosmonaut Yuri Alekseevich Gagarin.
APRIL
12th of April – Cosmonautics Day in Russia or International Day of Human Space Flight.
April 22 – today will be the peak of the Lyrid starfall with a maximum observed number of meteors per hour of no more than 20. This short-lived meteor shower, celebrated from April 16 to April 25, will be observed closer to the sunrise by residents of the Earth's northern hemisphere.
MAY
the 6th of May – the peak of the Eta Aquarids meteor shower, whose radiant is located in the constellation Aquarius. This fairly powerful meteor shower, associated with Halley's Comet, with a visible number of meteors reaching 70 per hour, is most clearly visible in the hours before dawn.
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JUNE
June 7 – the maximum of the Arietids meteor shower, which will occur during the daytime. Despite the fairly large zenith hour number (about 60 observed meteors per hour), it is impossible to see the Arietids starfall with the naked eye. However, some amateurs manage to capture it with binoculars after three in the morning, even from Moscow.
June 20 – in the night sky it will be possible to observe with the naked eye one of the largest asteroids in the main asteroid belt, asteroid Vesta. The asteroid will pass at a distance of 229 million kilometers, and it will be possible to observe it at the latitude of the Russian capital.
JULY
July 13 – Solar eclipse (peak at 06:02 am). This partial eclipse will be visible to residents of Tasmania and southern Australia. In addition, it can be observed from Antarctic stations located in the eastern part of Antarctica, and from ships sailing the Indian Ocean (between Antarctica and Australia). The maximum phase of the eclipse is 0.3365.
July 27 – Lunar eclipse (peak at 23:22). Residents of southern Russia and the Urals will be able to observe this total eclipse; it will also be able to be seen by residents of the southern and eastern parts of Africa, southern and central Asia, and the Middle East. During the same period, residents of the entire planet (except for Chukotka, Kamchatka and North America) will be able to see a penumbral lunar eclipse.
Astronomy lovers will be able to witness several interesting phenomena, which take place every year, for example, such as eclipses of the Sun and Moon, as well as quite rare ones, for example, the passage Mercury across the disk of the Sun.
Several years ago we witnessed transit of Venus across the disk of the Sun, and now it's time to observe Mercury, which will also move across the disk of the Sun from the point of view of an earthly observer. This event will take place May 9, 2016.
Expected in 2016 4 eclipses: two solar and two lunar.9th of Marchwill be observed complete, ASeptember 1 - annular solar eclipse. Observers in Russia will not see any of them in full, unlike penumbral lunar eclipses -March 23 and September 16.
One of the important events in space exploration is the achievement of Jupiter by the American spacecraft "Juno", which is expected in July 2016. The device was started August 5, 2011 and to July 2016 will have to cover the distance 2.8 billion kilometers.
This calendar indicates Moscow time(GMT+3).
Astronomical calendar 2016
JANUARY
January 2 – Earth at perihelion (The planet is at its closest distance from the Sun)
January 3, 4 – Star Rain Peak Quadrantids. The maximum number of meteors per hour is 40. Remains of the disappeared comet 2003 EH1, which was opened in 2003.
January 10 – New moon at 04:30. Days near the new moon are most suitable for stargazing due to the fact that the moon will not be visible, which means there will not be much light pollution.
FEBRUARY
11 February 364358 km from the earth
MARCH
March 8 – Jupiter in opposition to the Sun. The best day for observing Jupiter and its satellites, since the giant Jupiter will be well illuminated by the Sun and at the same time will be at the closest distance from the Earth.
9th of March – New moon at 04:54. Total solar eclipse 130 Saros 52nd in a row. It can be observed in the north and center of the Pacific Ocean, in the east of the Indian Ocean. In Asia, including Japan and Kamchatka, and in Australia it will be partially visible. The full eclipse can be viewed from Caroline Islands. The total phase of the eclipse will last only 4 minutes and 9 seconds.
20th of March – Spring equinox at 07:30. Day is equal to night. The first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.
March 23 – Full moon at 15:01. Penumbral lunar eclipse at 14:48. Eclipse 142 Saros, number 18 of 74 eclipses in the series. Residents and guests of Eastern Asia, Australia, Oceania, Eastern Russia, and Alaska will be able to watch it. Duration of the penumbral phase – 4 hours 13 minutes. During this type of eclipse, the full Moon will only be partially in the Earth's shadow.
Astronomical observations 2016
APRIL
April 22-23 - Star Rain Lyrids. constellation Lyra. Comet remnants Thatcher C/1861 G1, which was opened in 1861. Due to the timing of this star shower coinciding with the full moon this year, it will be quite difficult to observe.
May 6-7 - Star Rain Eta-Aquarids. constellation Aquarius. Is particles Comet Halley, discovered in antiquity. Due to the fact that this star shower coincides with the new moon, all meteors will be clearly visible. The best time to watch for rain is just after midnight.
9th May – Walkthrough Mercury across the disk of the Sun– a rare transit that can be called a “mini-eclipse” of the Sun by Mercury. This event occurs on average once every 7 years(13-14 times per century) and can be observed either in May or November. Mercury, the Sun and the Earth will be on the same straight line, so the inhabitants of the Earth will be able to see how Mercury passes against the background of the Sun's disk.
Previous time Mercury passed across the disk of the Sun November 8, 2006. Next time this phenomenon will occur November 11, 2019, and then only after 20 years - in 2039.
Mercury's transit across the solar disk will be clearly visible to observers in Northern Central and South America, parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. The full transit can be observed in eastern US and South America.
22nd of May – Mars in opposition to the Sun. Mars will be well illuminated by the Sun and will be at its closest distance to Earth, making this the best time to observe the Red Planet. With a medium-sized telescope, dark details on the planet's reddish surface will be visible.
Astronomical phenomena 2016
JUNE
June 3 – Saturn in opposition to the Sun. The distant planet Saturn will be best visible this day due to the fact that it will be at its closest distance from the Earth.
June 3 – Moon at perigee: distance -361142 km from the earth
21st of June - Summer solstice at 01:45. The longest day of the year. The first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and also the first day of winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
JULY
4th of July – The Earth is at aphelion from the Sun (The planet is at its farthest distance from the Sun)
4th of July - Spaceship "Juno" will reach Jupiter.
This automatic interplanetary station must reach its goal - the planet Jupiter, covering the distance in 5 years 2.8 billion kilometers. It should enter the orbit of the giant planet and, in about 1 Earth year, complete 33 full turns around the planet. The mission of the station is to study the atmosphere and magnetic field of Jupiter. It is planned that Juno will remain in orbit of the giant until October 2017, and then burn up in the planet's atmosphere.
June 13 – Moon at apogee: distance -404272 km from the earth
July 28-29 - Star Rain Southern Delta Aquarids. The maximum number of meteors per hour is 20. Radiant - area constellation Aquarius. Is wreckage comets Marsten and Kracht.
AUGUST
August 12-13 - Star Rain Perseids. Maximum number of meteors per hour – 60. Radiant – area constellation Perseus. Is wreckage comet Swift-Tuttle.
August 27 – Connection Venus and Jupiter. It's a spectacular sight - the two brightest planets in the night sky will be very close to each other (0.06 degrees) and will be easily visible to the naked eye in the evening sky just after sunset.
Astronomical objects 2016
SEPTEMBER
September 1 – New moon at 12:03. Ring-shaped solar eclipse at 12:07 – 39th eclipse of 135 Saros. This eclipse will be visible in Africa, Madagascar and other parts of the equatorial and tropical latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere. The eclipse will only last 3 minutes and 6 seconds.
September 3 – Neptune in opposition to the Sun. On this day, the blue planet will approach the closest distance to the Earth, therefore, armed with a telescope, it will be best observed. However, only the most powerful telescope can show any details. The planet Neptune is not visible to the naked eye.
16 of September – Full moon at 22:05. Penumbra moon eclipse at 21:55. Refers to 147 Saros at number 9 of 71 eclipses in the series. This eclipse will be best observed in Europe, Russia, Africa, Asia, and Australia. In total, the eclipse will last 3 hours 59 minutes.
September 22nd - Autumn equinox at 17:21. Day is equal to night. This is the first day of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
The closest approach of Mars to the Earth, comets, meteor showers that can be observed with the naked eye, and cosmic fireworks. What else will the sky show us in 2018?
1. Solar and lunar eclipse
In the new year, we will have five eclipses at once: two total lunar and three partial solar. Unfortunately, the inhabitants of the Earth will not see a total solar eclipse in 2018.
January 31—total lunar eclipse. It can be observed from Australia, North America, East Asia (including from Russia) and from the Pacific Islands. The eclipse will last from 14:48 to 18:11 Moscow time.
February 15—partial solar eclipse. This astronomical phenomenon can be observed in Chile and Argentina, as well as in Antarctica.
July 13—partial solar eclipse. It will be visible in Antarctica and the southernmost parts of Australia.
July 27—total lunar eclipse. It will be visible across most of Europe (in Russia it will also be visible), Africa, Western and Central Asia and western Australia. The eclipse will last from 21:24 to 01:19 Moscow time. This will be the longest eclipse in 100 years!
August 11—partial solar eclipse. Best viewing locations: northeastern Canada, Greenland, northern Europe (including Russia), and northeastern Asia.
2. Meteor showers
Every year, space gives us a stunning spectacle in the form of a meteor shower in the night sky. However, the number of falling meteors per hour is almost always different. Activity in 2018 Perseid will not be a record high, unlike previous years, and on August 12-13, 2018 (these dates coincide with the peak activity of the stream), the inhabitants of the Earth will be able to observe only up to 60 meteors per hour.
And here Geminids will be much more active this year. On the night of December 13-14, provided the weather is clear, we will be able to see up to 120 meteors per hour.
Photo: Adam Forest/2016 Perseid meteor shower
If you want to get more information about meteor showers in 2018, you can look at the online calendar here or here.
3. Cosmic “fireworks”
In 2018, scientists will monitor the encounter between a pulsar and one of the brightest stars in the Milky Way, MT91 213. Astronomers' calculations show that this encounter should occur early next year at a distance of 5,000 light-years from us. The result will be a release of energy that can be observed in all spectra. It will be recorded by scientists around the world using special telescopes.
Pulsar J2032+4127 was discovered eight years ago and was initially thought to be a single pulsar. However, further observations showed that its rotation gradually slowed down and its speed changed, which could only be explained by its interaction with another body. As a result, it turned out that the pulsar rotates in an elongated orbit around the star MT91 213, whose mass exceeds the Sun by 15 times, and whose luminosity is 10,000 times greater than the Sun! The star is the source of a very powerful stellar wind and is surrounded by a disk of gas and dust.
Photo: NASA/ In 2018, scientists will monitor the meeting of a pulsar and one of the brightest stars in the Milky Way - MT91 213
It takes J2032+4127 25 years to complete one revolution around its massive companion. In 2018, the pulsar will again approach the star, passing at a very short distance from it. Scientists suggest that with a minimum approach of the two bodies, the interaction of the strong magnetic field of the pulsar with the gas-dust disk and the magnetosphere of J2032+4127 will lead to a series of flares in all ranges, from radio waves to high-energy radiation.
4. Parade of planets
Every morning in early March, you can observe the so-called parade of planets: Mars, Jupiter, Saturn will line up in one line and will remain in this position until dawn. On March 8, Luna will join them. It will appear between Jupiter and Mars in the southern sky.
A little later Pluto will join the quartet. The dwarf planet will be visible just below and slightly to the left of Saturn.
5. Mercury
Good news for those interested in Mercury. The planet, which is usually difficult to see with the naked eye, will be visible just after sunset on March 15. On this day it will reach the point of maximum eastern elongation. This means that Mercury will “pass” at its greatest distance from the Sun and will be visible immediately after sunset in the western sky for 75 minutes.
6. Mars
On July 27, 2018, the so-called “Great Confrontation” of Mars will occur. This means that the Red Planet will be in line with the Sun and Earth (Earth will be in the middle) and will approach us at a distance of only 57.7 million kilometers.
Photo: EKA/ In 2018, Mars will approach Earth at a record distance
This cosmic phenomenon occurs once every 15-17 years and is of great interest not only to professional astronomers, but also to amateurs, as it creates the most favorable conditions for observing the Red Planet.
7. Comets that can be seen with the naked eye or with an amateur telescope
Comet 185P/Petru. At the end of January - beginning of February 2018, the comet will reach its maximum brightness (magnitude 11) and can be seen with an amateur telescope in the western part of the evening sky, not very high above the horizon. 185P/Petru will move through the constellations Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Cetus, again Pisces, again Cetus.
Comet C/2017 T1 (Heinze). The celestial guest will reach its maximum brightness in early January 2018 (slightly above magnitude 10). It can be seen with an amateur telescope or binoculars in mid-latitudes. The comet will move through the constellations Cancer, Lynx, Giraffe, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Lizard, Pegasus and Aquarius. C/2017 T1 will be visible at the beginning of the year throughout the night, then at the beginning of February in the evening and in the morning, and at the end of February in the mornings before sunrise. The observation period will end in March.
Comet C/2016 R2 (PANSTARRS). The space hulk will reach its maximum brightness in the first half of January (the comet's brightness will be in the range between 11 and 10.5 magnitudes). It can be observed throughout the night high above the horizon in the near-zenith and then in the western part of the sky. Comet movement: constellation Orion, Taurus and Perseus.
Comet C/2017 S3 (PANSTARRS). It is assumed that the comet will reach its maximum brightness (about 4 magnitude) in mid-August. In the middle latitudes of the northern hemisphere from July to August it can be seen with an amateur telescope or binoculars. During the visibility period, comet C/2017 S3 (PANSTARRS) will move through the constellations Giraffe, Auriga and Gemini.
Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. In September 2018, the comet may reach magnitude 7.1 and will be visible in the mid-latitudes of the northern hemisphere using small instruments. Open for observation from June to November, first throughout the night high above the horizon, and from October in the mornings. At this time, 21P/Giacobini-Zinner will move through the constellations Cygnus, Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Giraffe, Perseus, Auriga, Gemini, Orion, Unicorn, Canis Major and Puppis.
Comet 46P/Wirtanen. This comet is expected to reach its maximum brilliance in mid-December, with a brightness of just over 4 magnitude. It can be seen with the naked eye and in amateur telescopes in the middle latitudes of the northern hemisphere in September 2018 - March 2019. From December 2018, the comet will be visible all night high above the horizon and will rise higher in the sky every day. She will move through the constellations of Cetus, Furnace, again Cetus, Eridanus, again Cetus, Taurus, Perseus, Auriga, Lynx, Ursa Major and Leo Minor.
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