Full moons, eclipses, solar activity, and meteor showers to look forward to in 2024

 Stargazers can anticipate a celestial feast in 2024, with a lineup of mesmerizing events including full moons, meteor showers, solar and lunar eclipses, and vibrant auroras.

**Solar and Lunar Eclipses:**

The highlight of the year is the eagerly awaited total solar eclipse on April 8, visible in Mexico, the US, and Canada. This rare event occurs when the moon completely obscures the sun's face, casting a shadow of totality.

An annular solar eclipse is also on the horizon for October 2 over parts of South America, forming a captivating "ring of fire" as the sun's light surrounds the moon's shadow.

Lunar eclipses, such as the penumbral lunar eclipse on March 24-25 visible across continents, add to the celestial spectacle.

As the sun approaches its solar maximum in mid-to-late 2024, solar flares and coronal mass ejections may impact Earth's technologies. Scientists eagerly await insights from the April total solar eclipse to closely monitor solar activity. Increased solar activity brings the stunning display of auroras, visible at Earth's poles.

Geomagnetic storms in 2023 allowed rare sightings of auroras as far south as New Mexico and the southeast of England. With the sun's activity peaking, vibrant auroras are expected, creating a captivating celestial show in Earth's skies.

**Full Moons of 2024:**

- January 25: Wolf moon

- February 24: Snow moon

- March 25: Worm moon

- April 23: Pink moon

- May 23: Flower moon

- June 21: Strawberry moon

- July 21: Buck moon

- August 19: Sturgeon moon

- September 17: Harvest moon

- October 17: Hunter’s moon

- November 15: Beaver moon

- December 15: Cold moon

**Meteor Showers in 2024 (According to the American Meteor Society):**

- Quadrantids: January 3-4

- Lyrids: April 21-22

- Eta Aquariids: May 4-5

- Southern Delta Aquariids: July 30-31

- Alpha Capricornids: July 30-31

- Perseids: August 12-13

- Draconids: October 7-8

- Orionids: October 21-22

- Southern Taurids: November 5-6

- Northern Taurids: November 11-12

- Leonids: November 17-18

- Geminids: December 13-14

- Ursids: December 21-22