The Perseid meteor shower will be visible this week

September 20 marks the fall (autumn) equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, and the spring equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. This is the best time to witness the zodiacal light. Pictured is this beautiful phenomenon taking place over Parque Nacional del Teide in Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands.

(Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Mars at opposition - On October 14 the red planet is brighter than at any other time of the year. It looks almost habitable, doesn't it?

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Orionids meteor shower - Another celestial event produced by Halley's Comet, the Orionids flash across the night sky October 20-21.

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Uranus at opposition - The seventh planet from the sun and jolly cold, Uranus is brighter than at any other time of the year on October 31, but you'll need a telescope to appreciate its luminous glow.

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Leonids meteor shower -

The Leonids are named after the constellation of Leo, as they appear to radiate from that point in the sky. The meteor shower peaks around November 16-17. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 3.0)

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Geminids meteor shower -

Originating from an asteroid rather than a comet, Geminids is one of the most spectacular showers, generating up to 160 meteors in an hour under optimum conditions around December 13-14. Here they are lighting up Mount Lütispitz in Switzerland. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0)

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Total solar eclipse - A total solar eclipse is quite simply the most astonishing celestial event seen from Earth. The next one takes place on December 14, with the path of totality only visible in the southern Pacific Ocean, central Chile, central Argentina and the southern Atlantic Ocean. The partial eclipse is visible in most of the southern Pacific Ocean and in most of South America.

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Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn - This is one of the rarest spectacles in our solar system, the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, otherwise known as a great conjunction. It only takes place once every 20 years and it's worth arranging a special viewing from an observatory on December 21 to enjoy the privilege.

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Ursids meteor shower -

See out 2020 in dramatic style by witnessing another exceptional meteor shower, this one taking place over December 21-22. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Penumbral lunar eclipse - A penumbral lunar eclipse takes place when the Moon moves through the faint, outer part of the Earth's shadow. One took place on January 10.

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"Manhattanhenge" -

New Yorkers were in for a treat on January 22. "Manhattanhenge" occurs when the setting or rising sun is aligned with the east–west streets of the main road grid of Manhattan. The best locations to witness it are: 14th Street, 34th Street, 42nd Street, 57th Street, and 79th Street.

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The Milky Way season - The Milky Way season started in February in the Southern Hemisphere.

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Conjunction of the Moon and Mars - March 18 saw the conjunction of the Moon and Mars, when both appeared very close to one another. The red planet is pictured as an orange dot at the bottom center of the photograph.

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Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter - That same night, the conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter appeared in the night sky. Distant Jupiter (top left in photograph) is visible as a pinhole in black velvet. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Spring equinox - March 19 marked the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, and the fall (autumn) equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Mercury at greatest morning elongation - The planet reached its greatest morning elongation on March 24.

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Venus at greatest eastern elongation - March 24 also marked the night Venus was so radiant that it became the third brightest object in the sky after the Sun and the Moon.

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The Milky Way season -

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Milky Way season got started in March. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Supermoon -

A supermoon, that giant cheese in the sky, also made an appearance on March 9 and again on April 7-8.

Reuters

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Lyrid meteor shower -

The annual Lyrid meteor shower occurred from April 16 to April 26, and was at its showiest April 21-22. Pictured are meteor trails above the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California.

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Eta Aquariid meteor shower -

The Eta Aquariid meteor shower peaked on the mornings of May 5 and 6, favoring the Southern Hemisphere, where 20-40 meteors could be seen every hour. In the Northern Hemisphere, sky watchers could see 10-30 meteors in the hours before dawn, streaking across the sky with glowing trails of energetic gas. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) comet -

Only discovered in 2017, the C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) comet made its closest approach to the Sun on May 13. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 4.0)

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Flower moon -

Having appeared at its fullest on the morning of May 7 at 6:45 am ET, the flower moon, named because of the flowers that bloom in May, was the final supermoon of 2020.

Getty Images

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"Manhattanhenge" -

A second chance to witness "Manhattanhenge" in New York City presented itself on May 29-30. Prime locations: 14th Street, 34th Street, 42nd Street, 57th Street, and 79th Street.

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Penumbral lunar eclipse - A penumbral lunar eclipse was visible throughout eastern Europe, eastern Africa, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, and most of Australia on June 5-6.

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Summer (or winter) solstice - The Summer (or Winter) solstice marks the longest (or shortest) day of the year, depending on which hemisphere you're in. This picture is from Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, one of the most famous summer solstice celebrations in the world.

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Annular solar eclipse -

Annular solar eclipses happen when the Moon covers the Sun's center, leaving the Sun's visible outer edges to form a "ring of fire". This dramatic event took place on June 21 and was visible in areas of central Africa, Pakistan, western India, southern China, and Taiwan. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Jupiter at opposition - On July 14 the biggest planet in the solar system was brighter than at any other time of the year, and was visible throughout the night. The best time to view and photograph Jupiter and its moons.

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Southern Delta Aquariids meteor shower -

The result of the break up of two comets, the Southern Delta Aquariids were best viewed pre-dawn July 29-30. They were seen above Mount St Helens, at Windy Ridge in Washington state, USA.

(Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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The Perseid meteor shower will be visible this week

The phenomenon will be visible in certain parts of the world on August 12-13

11/08/20 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Space

Astronomers and dark sky enthusiasts alike are in for a treat this year, including spectacular annual meteor showers, lunar and solar eclipses, and the odd supermoon. For instance, a meteor shower will be visible in certain parts of the world on August 12-13. The Perseid meteor shower is one of the brightest showers in the celestial calendar. Want to know more? Browse this gallery for a preview of what's happening in the nighttime skies in 2020. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)