After a (inter)stellar year of celestial events, from the northern lights to the total solar eclipse, 2024 spoiled stargazers.
In April, thousands of Oklahomans saw the total solar eclipse, even outside of the path of totality. As for the night viewing, the night sky lit up with colors the state had never seen, but not before 2024 closed out with four consecutive supermoons.
Now, 2025 will have some astronomical events that viewers can enjoy, one of which has already begun. Here are some of the major space events to enjoy in 2025.
Quadrantid meteor showers – Peak Jan. 3, 2025
The Quandratids are considered one of the best annual meteor showers. Under perfect conditions, they produce 60 to 200 meteors per hour. The shower peaks in early January every year.
NASA said this shower’s peak viewing time is much shorter—only a few hours—but the payoff is well worth it.
When the meteors explode, they produce bright fireballs with larger explosions, light and color lasting longer than an average meteor streak. NASA recommends avoiding light pollution during the night and predawn hours to see them. Facing the northeast, you should be able to see the meteors.
Total Lunar Eclipse – March 14, 2025
The last total lunar eclipse visible in North America was November 8, 2022. Instead of a solar eclipse next year, Oklahomans will see a total lunar eclipse with the March full moon.
Unlike the few minutes of totality we received with a solar eclipse, this lunar eclipse will last an hour and 5 minutes and be visible across all contiguous states simultaneously.
There will also be a second total lunar eclipse happening on Sept. 7 on the opposite side of the world. It will only be viewed partially in the States by Alaska.
Partial Solar Eclipse – March 29, 2025
Oklahoma got to enjoy being along the path of totality in 2024, yet this eclipse will not see the Sooner state on the path. Happening entirely in Earth’s Northern Atlantic and Artic regions, only a handful of American states will be able to see the partial solar eclipse.
Supermoons
In 2024, the world saw four supermoons in August, September, October and November. Next year, there will only be three. 2025 will close out the year with three consecutive supermoons on October 7, November 5 and December 4.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Lunar eclipse, supermoons, meteor showers: 7 celestial events in 2025