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Get a free quoteThere are always so many things happening on our own planet that it’s rare for us to stop and take the time to look above us. Earth is just a small part of something much greater and there’s a lot to see in the stars if you know when to look. Try and find some time in your busy schedule this year to appreciate some of the upcoming astronomical events of 2020, here are a select few to look out for!
If you’re hoping for a glimpse of the planet Mercury, your best bet will be on February 10th when the planet reaches its greatest eastern elongation of 18.2 degrees from the Sun. This means it will be at the highest point it’ll be all year. Make sure you look low in the western sky straight after sunset to get the best view of the smallest planet in our Solar System.
A supermoon occurs on the date of a full moon overlapping with perigee, which is the closest the Moon comes to Earth in its regular orbit cycle. The combination of these two events culminates in the Moon appearing to be particularly larger than usual, hence the ‘super’ part of the term supermoon. This event will be hard to miss but it’s still awe-inspiring to see the moon at such a scale.
June’s penumbral lunar eclipse will be visible within the UK, as well as most of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia, although we’ll only be able to catch the end of it in the UK. A penumbral lunar eclipse is when the Moon meets the Earth’s partial shadow, resulting in the Moon becoming slightly darkened.
The planet of Jupiter will be at its closest to Earth on this night, and it will be fully illuminated by the Sun on the opposite end of the Earth. This means Jupiter will be brighter than it is at any other time during the year and will in fact be visible for the entire duration of the night. If you’re an enthusiast with a telescope or binoculars, you’ll even be able to spot four of Jupiter’s largest moons.
The Perseids is a well-known meteor shower, which at its peak, can produce up to 60 meteors per hour. The Perseids meteor shower is known for its large number of particularly bright meteors. If you want to catch some of these meteors, they will be best viewed after midnight, in a location without any light.
If you’ve ever heard the term ‘once in a blue moon’, this astronomical event is the origin of it. A blue moon is an additional full moon than there would normally be within a subdivision of a year, but unfortunately, the moon doesn’t actually turn blue. The moons face will also be fully illuminated, making for a spooky Halloween night backdrop.
Considered by many to be the ultimate meteor shower, the Geminids shower is able to produce up to 120 multicoloured meteors every hour when it’s at its peak. There will also be a New Moon on December 14th which ensures dark skies, allowing for a great viewing of this memorable meteor shower.
The conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn means they’ll only be 7 arc minutes apart, giving them the appearance of a bright double planet in the night sky. The last time these two planets were in conjunction was the year 2000, which makes this event exceedingly rare. If you want to be sure you see this impressive pair of planets, look westwards after sunset.
Maybe the idea of being outside in your garden on a potentially cold or rainy night doesn’t seem too appealing to you, but you don’t need to put up with the elements when you’re in the comfort of your home. You can transform your new build extension or orangery into your own astronomy viewing room by having a roof lantern installed.
A roof lantern from Seal-Lite utilises ultra-slim sightlines and provides a glass space in your ceiling for you to look up at. Not only does it allow you to appreciate the events in the night sky more, but it also allows you to let more light into the room during the day. For premium home improvements like roof lanterns, windows, doors, and conservatories, get in touch with us by calling 01275 342 656 or contact us online.
If you would like a quote on any of our products or services then please enter your details below.
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