There’s nothing quite like a full moon, eclipse or meteor shower to inspire wonder and awe in your child’s eyes. Budding skywatchers and stargazers are sure to enjoy what is in store for them this year. So mark your calendars, set your reminders, and let the kids stay up late for these celestial events in 2024!
Of all the celestial events in 2024, what are the stars? (Pun intended!)
A total solar eclipse in April, the Eta Aquariids (meteor shower) in May, the Perseids in August, a partial lunar eclipse in September, a possible comet sighting in October, and the Gemenids in December.
Not to Miss: Celestial Events in 2024
JANUARY celestial events
January 3-4: Quadrantids Meteor Shower (peak)
- Active from Dec. 12 to Jan. 12. Peaks around Jan. 3-4.
- One of the better meteor shower of the year; up to 40 meteors per hour.
January 11: New Moon
A new moon occurs when the Moon’s position is between the Sun and the Earth. From Earth, the Moon’s surface appears dark, as the illuminated side is facing away from Earth. This is a great night for skygazing, thanks to the dark skies (no moonlight to interfere)!
January 25: Wolf Moon
The first full moon of the new year!
Also known as: Center Moon (Assiniboine), Cold Moon (Cree), Frost Exploding Moon (Cree), Freeze Up Moon (Algonquin), Severe Moon (Dakota), Hard Moon (Dakota), Wolves Run Together Moon (Sioux), Sun Has Not Strength to Thaw Moon (Sioux), Bear-Hunting Moon (Haida), Moon of Life at its Height (Hopi), Winter’s Little Brother (Choctaw)*
FEBRUARY celestial events
February 9: New Moon
A new moon occurs when the Moon’s position is between the Sun and the Earth. From Earth, the Moon’s surface appears dark, as the illuminated side is facing away from Earth. This is a great night for skygazing, thanks to the dark skies (no moonlight to interfere)!
February 24: Snow Moon
Peak illumination will occur at 12:32 UTC.
also known as: Bald Eagle Moon, Eagle Moon (Cree), Bear Moon (Ojibwe), Black Bear Moon (Tlingit), Raccoon Moon (Dakota), Groundhog Moon (Algonquin), Goose Moon (Haida), Month of the Bony Moon, Hungry Moon (Cherokee)*
MARCH celestial events
March 10: New Moon
A new moon occurs when the Moon’s position is between the Sun and the Earth. From Earth, the Moon’s surface appears dark, as the illuminated side is facing away from Earth. This is a great night for skygazing, thanks to the dark skies (no moonlight to interfere)!
March 19-20: Spring/Autumn Equinox
The time at which day and night will be of equal length, this will be the Spring/Vernal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the Autumn Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere.
March 25: Worm Moon + Prenumbral Lunar Eclipse
A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow across the full moon. A prenumbral lunar eclipse is less dramatic, with only the faint outer edges of the Earth’s shadow reaching the moon. It can be hard to see. (prenumbra = partial shadow)
As this is the first full moon after the spring equinox, it determines Easter’s date (“Paschal Full Moon”). Peak illumination will occur at 07:02 UTC.
Also known as: Paschal Full Moon, Worm Moon (earthworms start to re-appear), Crow Comes Back Moon (Northern Ojibwe, crows’ call signals end of winter), Wind Strong Moon (Pueblo, season of strong windy days), Crust Moon (snow cover forms crust from thawing/freezing), Sap Moon or Sugar Moon (Ojibwe, time to tap maple trees), Sore Eyes Moon (Dakota, Lakota, Assiniboine, blinding sunlight reflecting off melting snow)*
APRIL celestial events
2024 Highlight!
April 8: Total Solar Eclipse + New Moon
Perhaps the most exciting of all the celestial events in 2024, the total solar eclipse will be visible across much of Mexico, the US and Canada. The path of totality (total solar eclipse visible) will travel from Mazatlan to Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Don’t miss our guide to viewing the total solar eclipse with kids!
Family-Friendly Guide: How to Safely Watch A Solar Eclipse with Kids
A new moon occurs when the Moon’s position is between the Sun and the Earth. From Earth, the Moon’s surface appears dark, as the illuminated side is facing away from Earth. This is a great night for skygazing, thanks to the dark skies (no moonlight to interfere)!
April 21-22: Lyrids Meteor Shower (peak)
- Active from April 14 to April 30. Peaks around April 21-22.
- Moderate meteor shower; 10-20 meteors per hour.
- Upcoming full moon will unfortunately make the meteors harder to see.
April 23: Pink Moon
Not actually be pink in color, as its name implies, but is named after the early Springtime blooms of the (pink) phlox. Peak illumination will occur at 23:50 UTC.
Also known as: Breaking Ice Moon (Algonquin), Moon When the Streams are Again Navigable (Dakota), Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs (Tlingit), Moon of the Red Grass Appearing (Oglala), Moon When the Ducks Come Back (Lakota), Moon When the Geese Lay Eggs (Dakota), Frog Moon (Cree), Sucker Moon (Anishinaabe), Sprouting Grass Moon, Egg Moon, Full Fish Moon*
MAY celestial events
2024 Highlight!
May 5: Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower (peak)
- Active from April 19 to May 28. Peaks on May 5.
- Above average meteor shower; up to 30 meteors per hour in the Northern Hemisphere, up to 60 meteors per hour in the Southern Hemisphere. Thanks to an uncommon “outburst”, the Southern Hemisphere may even result in up to 100 meteors per hour!)
- The waning crescent moon will make it close to ideal viewing conditions for viewing the meteors.
- Another not-to-miss among the celestial events in 2024!
May 8: New Moon
A new moon occurs when the Moon’s position is between the Sun and the Earth. From Earth, the Moon’s surface appears dark, as the illuminated side is facing away from Earth. This is a great night for skygazing, thanks to the dark skies (no moonlight to interfere)!
May 26: Flower Moon
Named for the abundance of flowers at this time of year, it will be officially full at 13:55 UTC.
known as: Worm Moon (earthworms start to re-appear), Crow Comes Back Moon (Northern Ojibwe, crows’ call signals end of winter), Wind Strong Moon (Pueblo, season of strong windy days), Crust Moon (snow cover forms crust from thawing/freezing), Sap Moon or Sugar Moon (Ojibwe, time to tap maple trees), Sore Eyes Moon (Dakota, Lakota, Assiniboine, blinding sunlight reflecting off melting snow)*
JUNE celestial events
June 6: New Moon
A new moon occurs when the Moon’s position is between the Sun and the Earth. From Earth, the Moon’s surface appears dark, as the illuminated side is facing away from Earth. This is a great night for skygazing, thanks to the dark skies (no moonlight to interfere)!
June 20: Summer/Winter Solstice
The June solstice marks the longest day of the year (and shortest night), making it the first day of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of Winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
June 22: Strawberry Moon
Named for the time of year when strawberries are harvested, this is the first full moon of the summer. Peak illumination will occur at 01:09 UTC.
Also known as: Rose Moon, Mead Moon, Honey Moon, Flower Moon, Hot Moon, Hoe Moon, Planting Moon, Birth Moon (Tlingit), Hoer Moon (Western Abenaki), Green Corn Moon (Cherokee), Blooming Moon (Anishinaabe), Berries Ripen Moon (Haida)*
JULY moons and meteors
July 5: New Moon
A new moon occurs when the Moon’s position is between the Sun and the Earth. From Earth, the Moon’s surface appears dark, as the illuminated side is facing away from Earth. This is a great night for skygazing, thanks to the dark skies (no moonlight to interfere)!
July 23: Buck Moon
This full moon is named for the time of year when bucks start to grow their new antlers. Peak illumination will occur at 10:18 UTC.
Also known as: Feather Moulting Moon (Cree), Salmon Moon (Tlingit), Halfway Summer Moon and Berry Moon (Anishinaabe), Moon When the Chokecherries are Ripe (Dakota), Month of the Ripe Corn Moon (Cherokee), Raspberry Moon (Ojibwe, Algonquin), Thunder Moon (Western Abenaki)*
July 28-29: Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower (peak)
- Active from July 12 to Aug. 23.
- Average meteor shower; 20 meteors per hour.
AUGUST moons and meteors
August 4: New Moon
A new moon occurs when the Moon’s position is between the Sun and the Earth. From Earth, the Moon’s surface appears dark, as the illuminated side is facing away from Earth. This is a great night for skygazing, thanks to the dark skies (no moonlight to interfere)!
2024 Highlight!
August 12-13: Perseids Meteor Shower (peak)
- Active from July 17 to Aug. 24.
- Active meteor shower (one of the best); between 50-100 meteors per hour.
August 19: Blue Sturgeon Moon
This full moon is a seasonal Blue Moon, the third full moon in an astronomical season with four full moons (one extra). It will reach peak fullness at 18:27 UTC. Sturgeon Moon is named for the time when these large fish were most readily caught in the Great Lakes.
Also known as: Flying Up Moon (Cree), Corn Moon (Algonquin, Ojibwe), Harvest Moon (Dakota), Ricing Moon (Anishinaabe), Black Cherries Moon (Assiniboine), Mountain Shadows Moon (Tlingit), Grain Moon.*
SEPTEMBER celestial events
September 3: New Moon
A new moon occurs when the Moon’s position is between the Sun and the Earth. From Earth, the Moon’s surface appears dark, as the illuminated side is facing away from Earth. This is a great night for skygazing, thanks to the dark skies (no moonlight to interfere)!
September 18: Super Harvest Moon + Partial Lunar Eclipse
Although technically occurring during the summer season, this full moon is the closest to the Autumn Equinox (September 22) and is therefore dubbed the Harvest Moon. It is also the first of three supermoons in 2024 and may look larger and brighter than most full moons. Peak illumination will occur at 3:36 UTC.
Also known as: Corn Moon, Autumn Moon (Cree), Falling Leaves Moon (Ojibwe), Leaves Turning Moon (Anishinaabe), Moon of Brown Leaves (Lakota), Yellow Leaf Moon (Assiniboine), Child Moon (Tlingit), Mating Moon (Cree), Rutting Moon (Cree).
This partial lunar eclipse is one of the celestial events of 2024 that you should mark on your calendar! A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow across the full moon. A partial lunar eclipse happens when only a portion of the Moon passes through Earth’s darkest shadow (umbra). That part of the Moon will darken as it moves into Earth’s shadow. This partial lunar eclipse will be visible in much of North America, Mexico, Central America, South America, the Atlantic Ocean, Europe and Africa.*
OCTOBER celestial events
October 2: New Moon + Annular Solar Eclipse (“Ring of Fire”)
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun and casting a shadow over the Earth. The Ring of Fire solar eclipse is an annular eclipse, where the moon isn’t close enough to the Earth to fully cover the sun, leaving a ring of sunlight around the moon.
This annular eclipse will only be visible in parts of Argentina and Chile, though a partial eclipse will occur in Hawaii.
Please take precautions when viewing the solar eclipse. Don’t miss our guide on watching solar eclipses:
Family-Friendly Guide: How to Safely Watch A Solar Eclipse with Kids
A new moon occurs when the Moon’s position is between the Sun and the Earth. From Earth, the Moon’s surface appears dark, as the illuminated side is facing away from Earth. This is a great night for skygazing, thanks to the dark skies (no moonlight to interfere)!
2024 Highlight!
October 12: Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS passes closest to Earth
The comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is expected to reach maximum brightness in October as it approaches the Sun. Although a comet’s brightness is hard to predict, some astronomers believe that this comet will be visible with the naked eye and maybe even have a prominent tail. It will pass closest to Earth on October 12, though might be visible with the naked eye until October 19.
Make sure this one is on your list of celestial events to see in 2024!
October 7: Draconids Meteor Shower (peak)
- Active from October 6-10.
- Minor meteor shower; 10 meteors per hour.
October 17: Super Hunter’s Moon
Similar to the Harvest Moon, the Hunter’s Moon will appear full the night before and the night after its peak. Look for it on the nights of October 18-21. As a supermoon, it may also appear larger and brighter than normal. It may also show an orange hue when rising above the horizon shortly after sunset. Peak illumination will occur at 18:28 UTC.
also known as: Drying Rice Moon (Dakota); Freezing Moon (Ojibwe); Falling Leaves Moon (Anishinaabe); Ice Moon (Haida); Migrating Moon (Cree); Dying Grass Moon, Blackberry Moon, Sanguine Moon; Blood Moon (English Medieval); Seed Moon (South African); Kindly Moon (Chinese); Egg Moon, Pink Moon, Fish Moon, Waking Moon (Southern Hemisphere)*
October 20-21: Orionids Meteor Shower (peak)
- Active from Oct. 2 to Nov. 7.
- Average meteor shower; 20 meteors per hour.
NOVEMBER moons and meteors
November 1: New Moon
A new moon occurs when the Moon’s position is between the Sun and the Earth. From Earth, the Moon’s surface appears dark, as the illuminated side is facing away from Earth. This is a great night for skygazing, thanks to the dark skies (no moonlight to interfere)!
November 4-5: The Taurids Meteor Shower (peak)
- Active between Sept. 7 and Dec. 10.
- Minor meteor shower; 5-10 meteors per hour.
Nov 17-18: Leonids Meteor Shower (peak)
- Active between Nov. 6 and Nov. 30.
- Average meteor shower; 15 meteors per hour.
November 19: Super Beaver Moon
This will be the last supermoon of 2024, appearing slightly brighter and larger than most full moons. Peak fullness will occur at 21:30 UTC.
It is named for the time of year when Native Americans and early settlers would prepare for winter by trapping beavers to provide a supply of warm furs.
also known as: Frost Moon, Freezing Moon, Digging (or Scratching) Moon, Deer Rutting Moon, Whitefish Moon.*
DECEMBER moons and meteors
December 1: New Moon
A new moon occurs when the Moon’s position is between the Sun and the Earth. From Earth, the Moon’s surface appears dark, as the illuminated side is facing away from Earth. This is a great night for skygazing, thanks to the dark skies (no moonlight to interfere)!
2024 Highlight!
December 13-14: Geminids Meteor Shower (peak)
- Active from Dec. 4 to Dec. 20.
- Best meteor shower of the year; up to 120 meteors per hour
- The moon will unfortunately be near-full this night, making the meteors harder to see. But this shower is still worth the effort, still making our list of best celestial events of 2024!
December 15: Cold Christmas Moon
Peak fullness will occur at 09:03 UTC.
also known as: Drift Clearing Moon, Frost Exploding Trees Moon, Hoar Frost Moon (Cree), Moon of the Popping Trees (Oglala), Snow Moon (Haida, Cherokee), Winter Maker Moon (Western Abenaki), Long Night Moon (Mohican), Moon Before Yule.*
December 21: Winter/Summer Solstice
The December solstice marks the shortest day of the year (and longest night), making it the first day of Winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of Summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
December 21-22: Ursids Meteor Shower (peak)
- Active from Dec. 17 to Dec. 26.
- Minor meteor shower; 5-10 meteors per hour.
December 30: New Moon
A new moon occurs when the Moon moves between the Sun and the Earth. From Earth, the Moon’s surface appears dark, as the illuminated side is facing away from Earth. This is a great night for skygazing, thanks to the dark skies (no moonlight to interfere)!
Mark your calendars and set your reminders for these wondrous celestial events in 2024. Whether you’re a selenophile (who loves full moons), a shooting star hunter, or if you’ve always wanted to catch sight of a comet, there’s so much in store for you this year!
While you’re outside in the dark viewing these celestial events, consider some of these activities kids can do in the dark.
*Most of the alternate full moon names listed above come from The Old Farmer’s Almanac, who pulled the names from a number of places, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources.
