Astronomy Calendar — Upcoming Events
Check out the dates and times for astronomical events like equinoxes, solstices, meteor showers, eclipses, supermoons, and more.
Astronomical Events in 2023
Jan 3/4: Quadrantids Meteors
3JanThe first major meteor shower of 2023, the Quadrantids, peaks on the night of January 3 and early morning hours of January 4.
Jan 4: Earth's Perihelion
4JanAt 16:17 UTC, the Earth will reach its perihelion—the point on its orbit closest to the Sun.
Jan 6: Wolf Micromoon
6JanThe first Full Moon of the year is colloquially known as Wolf Moon in many northern cultures. In 2023, it’s also a Micromoon.
Jan 21: Remarkably Close New Moon
21JanThe New Moon of January 2023 will be the closest New Moon to Earth since the Middle Ages.
Jan 22: Conjunction of Venus and Saturn
22 JanVenus will pass close to Saturn in the evening sky. At their closest point to each other, the planets will be separated by 0.34 degrees.
Jan 30: Mercury at Greatest Elongation West
30 JanThis might be a good time to try and spot Mercury: the planet appears at its farthest distance from the Sun in the morning sky.
Feb 1: Green Comet Closest to Earth
1 FEBComet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)—also known as the Green Comet—makes its closest approach to Earth. It might be possible to spot with the naked eye.
Feb 5: Snow Micromoon
5 FEBFebruary's Full Moon is also known as Snow Moon in many Northern Hemisphere cultures. For the second month in a row, this is a Micromoon.
Feb 20: Super New Moon
20 FEBTake advantage of the New Moon to check out the night sky, weather permitting, of course. As in January, this month’s New Moon is a Supermoon.
Mar 7: Worm Moon
7 MarThe Full Moon in March is traditionally called Worm Moon, after earthworms that tend to appear around this time in many locations in the Northern Hemisphere.
Mar 20: March Equinox
20 MarThe March equinox is the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of fall in the Southern Hemisphere, by astronomical definitions.
Mar 21: New Moon
21 MarDark nights a few days before and after the Moon reaches its New Moon phase at 17:23 UTC on March 21 are the best nights to do some night sky watching.
Mar 23/24: Venus and the Crescent Moon
23 MarVenus, shining as a dazzling ‘evening star’, appears next to a thin Crescent Moon.
Apr 1: Global Astronomy Month
1 AprWe’re proud to support Global Astronomy Month. Led by Astronomers Without Borders, a non-profit organization, the month-long event encourages people to share the sky.
Apr 6: Pink Moon
6AprApril's Full Moon is traditionally known as the Pink Full Moon.
Apr 10/11: Venus Next to the Pleiades
10 AprVenus, the third brightest object in the sky (after the Sun and the Moon), appears next to the Pleiades Star Cluster—also known as the Seven Sisters.
Apr 11: Mercury at Greatest Elongation East
11 AprThis might be a good time to try and spot Mercury: the planet appears at its farthest distance from the Sun in the evening sky.
Apr 20: Total Solar Eclipse
20 AprThe first eclipse of 2023 is a total solar eclipse visible from a remote penisula in Australia, and parts of East Timor and Indonesia.
Apr 20: New Moon
20 AprApr 22/23: Lyrid Meteor Shower
22 AprThe Lyrid meteor shower is expected to peak around April 22 and 23, depending on your location.
Apr 23/24: Earthshine Nights
23 AprThe Waxing and Waning Crescent Moon phases in April and May are the best time to see earthshine, where the unlit part of the Moon becomes visible. It is also known as Da Vinci glow.
May 5/6: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
5 MayThis penumbral lunar eclipse of the Flower Moon will be visible from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
May 5: Flower Moon
5 MayMay's Full Moon is known as the Flower Moon after all the flowers that bloom around this time in the Northern Hemisphere.
May 6/7: Eta Aquarid Meteors
6MayUse our handy Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map to increase your chances of seeing shooting stars from the Eta Aquarids.
May 15/16: Earthshine Mornings
15 MayThe Waxing and Waning Crescent Moon phases in April and May are the best time to see earthshine, where the unlit part of the Moon becomes visible. It is also known as Da Vinci glow.
May 19: Black New Moon
19MayThe third New Moon in a season with four New Moons, making this a Black Moon.
May 22/23: The Moon, Venus, and Mars
22 MayThe Moon passes between the planets Venus and Mars in the evening sky.
May 29: Mercury at Greatest Elongation West
29 MayThis might be a good time to try and spot Mercury: the planet appears at its farthest distance from the Sun in the morning sky.
Jun 4: Strawberry Moon
4JunJune's Full Moon is often called the Strawberry Full Moon, after the berries that grow in the Northern Hemisphere around this time of the year.
Jun 4: Venus at Greatest Elongation East
4 JunVenus shines brightly as the “evening star,” appearing at its farthest distance from the Sun.
Jun 18: New Moon
18JunMake the most of a moonlight-free night to look for some stars and planets in the skies.
Jun 21: June Solstice
21JunThis solstice is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, where it is the longest day of the year.
In the Southern Hemisphere, it's the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year.
Jul 3: Buck Moon
3 JulJuly’s Full Moon is known as the Buck Moon, signifying the new antlers that emerge on deer buck’s foreheads around this time. This year it falls at 11:38 UTC on July 3.
Jul 6: Earth's Aphelion
6JulAt 20:06 UTC, the Earth will reach its aphelion—the point on its orbit farthest from the Sun.
Jul 17: New Moon
17 JULJuly’s New Moon comes at 18:31 UTC on July 17. The period around New Moon can be a good time to look at the night sky—without a bright Moon around to lighten the sky.
Aug 1: Super Sturgeon Moon
1 AugAugust's Full Moon is traditionally called the Sturgeon Moon. Other names include the Green Corn Moon, Barley Moon, Fruit Moon, and Grain Moon. This year, it is also a Supermoon.
Aug 10: Mercury at Greatest Elongation East
10 AugThis might be a good time to try and spot Mercury: the planet appears at its farthest distance from the Sun in the evening sky.
Aug 12/13: Perseid Meteors
12 AugThe Perseid meteor shower is usually one of the most active and brightest meteor showers of the year. Good news: in 2023 the peak nights are around the time of New Moon, which means more meteors will be visible against the dark sky.
Aug 16: Micro New Moon
16 AugTwo weeks after the Super Sturgeon Moon, August’s New Moon is a Micromoon.
Aug 27: Saturn at Opposition
27 AugThe ringed planet, Saturn, lies on the opposite side of Earth to the Sun, and is visible from sunset to sunrise.
Aug 31: Super Blue Moon
31 AugThis is the second Full Moon of August 2023, making it—by one definition—a Blue Moon. As with the previous Full Moon, it is also a Supermoon.
Sep 15: New Moon
15SepA New Moon in the sky means no moonlight to hinder your view of stars and planets. Use the Interactive Night Sky Map to find out what planets are visible tonight and where.
Sep 22: Mercury at Greatest Elongation West
22 SepThis might be a good time to try and spot Mercury: the planet appears at its farthest distance from the Sun in the morning sky.
Sep 23: September Equinox
23 SepAlso known as the autumnal (fall) equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, the September Equinox is considered by many as the first day of fall.
Sep 29: Harvest Moon
29SepIn many Native American cultures, September's Full Moon is called the Full Corn Moon. This year, it is also the Full Moon closest to the September equinox, making it 2023's Harvest Moon as well.
8/9 OctOct 8/9: Draconid Meteor Shower
The best time to see the shooting stars of the peaking Draconids is just after nightfall.
14 OctOct 14: Annular Solar Eclipse
A ‘ring of fire’ will be visible in the sky across parts of the USA, Mexico, and Central and South America—if the weather permits.
Oct 14: New Moon
14OctThe New Moon phase is the best time to explore the night sky. Find planets, stars, and constellations using our Interactive Night Sky Map!
Oct 21/22: Orionid Meteor Shower
21 OctThe Orionids are the second meteor shower in October. The shower peaks on October 21-22 but usually remains active between October 2 and November 7. The best time to see these shooting stars is between midnight and sunrise.
Oct 23: Venus at Greatest Elongation West
23 OctVenus shines brightly as the “morning star,” appearing at its farthest distance from the Sun.
Oct 28/29: Partial Lunar Eclipse
28 OctThis partial lunar eclipse of the Hunter's Moon will be visible from Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Oct 28: Hunter's Moon
28OctThe October Full Moon is traditionally called the Hunter's Moon. October is a time to start preparing for the coming winter by hunting or slaughtering animals and preserving meat.
Nov 3: Jupiter at Opposition
3 NovThe largest planet in the solar system, Jupiter, lies opposite the Sun in the sky, and is visible all night.
Nov 13: New Moon
13NovThe New Moon phase is the best time to explore the night sky. Find planets, stars, and constellations using our Interactive Night Sky Map!
Nov 17/18: Leonid Meteor Shower
17 NovThe Leonids' shooting stars are visible between November 6 and 30, and peak on the night of November 17 and early morning of November 18, with up to 15 meteors per hour.
27 NovNov 27: Full Moon / Beaver Moon
November's Full Moon is traditionally called a Beaver Moon, after beavers that build their dams during this time of the year.
Dec 4: Mercury at Greatest Elongation East
4 DecThis might be a good time to try and spot Mercury: the planet appears at its farthest distance from the Sun in the evening sky.
Dec 12: New Moon
12 DecThis month’s New Moon is at 23:32 UTC on December 12.
Dec 14/15: Geminid Meteors
14 DecOne of the best meteor showers of the year, the Geminids peak on the night of December 14 and early morning hours of December 15. This is just after New Moon, which should make this a great year for the Geminids.
Dec 22: December Solstice
22 DecThe December solstice will take place at 03:27 UTC. Also known as the winter solstice, it is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the longest day of the year and is called the summer solstice.
Dec 22/23: Ursid Meteors
22 DecCatch the shooting stars of the last major meteor shower of the year, the Ursids, when it peaks in the night between December 22 and 23.
27 DecDec 27: Cold Moon
One of the traditional names for the Full Moon in December is Cold Moon.
Note: All dates are UTC, unless otherwise stated.