Jan 03, 2025
HONOLULU (KHON2) -- In 2025, Hawaiʻi will experience numerous opportunities for skywatchers to observe a variety of celestial events. So, KHON2.com did a bit of digging to find out what celestial events will be visible throughout 2025. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Here's a month-by-month guide to notable occurrences visible from the islands. January Quadrantid Meteor Shower can be seen Jan. 3 Peaking in the early morning hours, this meteor shower can produce up to 120 meteors per hour under optimal conditions. The Quadrantid Meteor Shower peaks on Jan. 3 and offers a spectacular celestial show. The event Originates from the extinct Quadrantid constellation which is known for its bright meteors and high rate that produce these meteors. The shower’s peak lasts only a few hours which makes precise timing crucial. The event is best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere away from light pollution; the Quadrantids offer a thrilling start to the new year for stargazers. Conjunctions Venus and Moon with Saturn can be seen Jan. 3: A close grouping of Venus, the Moon and Saturn will align beautifully in the evening sky. This rare conjunction occurs after sunset with Venus shining brightly alongside Saturn's subtle glow. The crescent Moon will add charm and will create a celestial trio perfect for stargazers. Look westward for this stunning display blending ancient and cosmic beauty. Moon and Mars can be seen Jan. 13: The Moon will appear to pass near Mars and will offer a striking visual conjunction. This event tends to captivate skywatchers as it highlights Mars’ reddish glow near the Moon's silvery light. Best viewed in the evening, this pairing offers a striking contrast between Earth's companion and the fiery planet. It reminds us of the vast wonders within our solar system. Venus and Saturn can be seen Jan. 18: These two planets will be in close proximity and visible after sunset. Venus and Saturn form an elegant pairing that is visible shortly after sunset. Venus, the brighter of the two, contrasts with Saturn’s dimmer, golden hue. This conjunction offers a chance to appreciate the planets’ alignment through binoculars or telescopes and symbolizes the harmony and precision of the cosmos. Planetary visibility: Throughout January, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will be prominently visible in the evening sky. Venus dazzles in the west after sunset. Mars glows faintly nearby, and Jupiter dominates the eastern sky. Saturn’s golden hue lingers low on the horizon. This celestial quartet creates stunning opportunities for stargazers and astrophotographers alike. February A planetary parade can be seen Feb 28 This is a rare alignment where seven other planets of the solar system will be visible in the sky from Earth's perspective. Hawaiʻi will witness this stunning planetary parade as Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus align gracefully in the evening sky. This rare celestial event unfolds shortly after sunset as Venus shines brilliantly, and Mars and Saturn glowing faintly. Jupiter will dominate the west. Mercury, closest to the horizon, completes the lineup. Hawaiʻi's clear skies and minimal light pollution make it an ideal spot to marvel at this cosmic spectacle as it blends science with natural wonder. March Saturn's rings will seemingly disappear Due to Saturn's axial tilt, its rings will appear edge-on and may temporarily vanish from view,. This is a phenomenon that occurs every 13 to 16 years. Hawaiʻi stargazers can will be able to witness Saturn's rings appear to vanish as Earth aligns edge-on with the planet. The rings’ thin profile becomes nearly invisible through telescopes and offers a rare glimpse of Saturn's equatorial plane. This celestial event showcases the intricate dynamics of planetary motion and alignment. Total Lunar Eclipse can be seen March 14 Hawaiʻi will enjoy a spectacular total lunar eclipse, weather permitting. The Earth’s shadow will fully envelop the Moon and turn it a deep reddish hue. This “Blood Moon” phenomenon peaks during the early evening as it offers a mesmerizing display. Clear skies enhance the experience which will make it a must-see event for skywatchers. Partial Solar Eclipse can be seen March 29 A partial solar eclipse will be observable over parts of North America. Parts of Hawaiʻi will experience this event as a partial solar eclipse during twilight/dusk hours. The Moon will partially cover the Sun and create a striking crescent-shaped solar silhouette. It’s a fascinating reminder of the Sun, Moon and Earth’s precise cosmic dance. April Lyrid Meteor Shower can be seen April 22 An annual meteor shower known for its bright meteors and occasional fireballs. The Lyrid Meteor Shower peaks over Hawaiʻi on the night of April 21–22. Known for its bright meteors with glowing trails, the Lyrids produce up to 20 meteors per hour. Hawaiʻi’s dark skies and minimal light pollution make it ideal for viewing. This shower is best seen after midnight. This celestial display comes from debris left by Comet Thatcher. It’s a mesmerizing spectacle that blends streaks of light with the serene beauty of Hawaiʻi’s starlit skies. May Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower can be seen May 5-6 This meteor shower is associated with Halley's Comet and is best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere but can still offer a good show in Hawaiʻi. The Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower peaks over Hawaiʻi on May 5–6. Originating from Halley’s Comet, this shower offers up to 50 meteors per hour. These meteors are visible in the predawn hours; and it’s best observed under Hawaiʻi’s dark, clear skies. The meteors’ swift, bright streaks create a breathtaking celestial show that blends cosmic wonder with Hawaiʻi’s natural tranquility. July Southern Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower can be seen July 28-29 A steady meteor shower that favors the Southern Hemisphere that provides a decent number of meteors per hour can technically be seen from Hawaiʻi. The Southern Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower peaks are visible from Hawaiʻi on July 28–29. With up to 20 meteors per hour, its faint but graceful streaks light up the southern sky. Hawaiʻi’s dark, clear skies provide ideal viewing conditions that make this shower a serene and captivating celestial event for stargazers. Increased auroral activity This is an incredibly rare event to witness in Hawaiʻi. Due to the solar maximum peaking, there may be intensified auroral displays, though Hawaiʻi's low latitude makes aurora sightings extremely rare. Hawaiʻi may experience increased auroral activity due to solar storms. While auroras are more common near the poles, rare geomagnetic storms can push them farther south. If conditions align, northern lights could be visible in Hawaiʻi’s northernmost regions and will offer a rare and captivating display of colorful, dancing lights in the night sky. August Perseid Meteor Shower can be seen Aug. 12-13 The Perseid Meteor Shower is one of the most popular meteor showers; it's known for producing a high number of bright meteors and will peak in Hawaiʻi on Aug. 12–13. This annual shower is one of the most anticipated as it offers up to 100 meteors per hour at its peak. Best viewed after midnight, the meteors streak across the sky, often with colorful trails. The Perseids originate from the debris of Comet Swift-Tuttle which in turn creates a breathtaking spectacle that attracts skywatchers from across the globe. September Partial Solar Eclipse can be seen Sept. 21 A partial solar eclipse will occur but with varying visibility across different regions. Parts of Hawaiʻi will experience this partial solar eclipse as the Moon covers part of the Sun to create a stunning crescent shape just as the Sun goes down. This eclipse provides a unique viewing opportunity. As always, safety glasses are necessary for safe observation in order to offer a rare chance to witness the cosmic alignment of the Sun and Moon. October through December Supermoons Oct. 7 is the Harvest Moon: The first of three consecutive supermoons where the full Moon appears larger and brighter due to its closer proximity to Earth. The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the autumn equinox. It will appear especially bright and large as it rises just after sunset. This moon traditionally marks the time for harvesting crops, hence its name, and offers an ideal opportunity for stargazers and photographers. Nov. 5 is the Beaver Moon: The second supermoon is expected to be the largest and brightest since 2019. The Beaver Moon occurs closest to the November lunar perigee. It will shine brightly in the night sky as it appears larger and more luminous than usual. This moon marks the time for setting traps for winter historically for those indigenous to the Americas and provides a stunning opportunity for skywatchers to admire its beauty. Dec. 4 is the Cold Moon: The final supermoon of the year. the Cold Moon is the full moon closest to the winter solstice. It will appear larger and brighter as it lights up the night sky. Traditionally, this moon signals the arrival of the coldest part of the year and offers a captivating celestial display ideal for stargazing and photography. Meteor Showers Orionids can be seen Oct. 21-22: Originating from Halley's Comet, this shower is known for its fast meteors. The Orionids Meteor Shower peaks over Hawaiʻi and offers up to 20 meteors per hour. The meteors are known for their fast and bright streaks. The shower is best observed after midnight when the Orionids appear to radiate from the constellation Orion. It makes it an easy target for stargazers. Hawaiʻi's clear, dark skies enhance the spectacle as it offers a mesmerizing cosmic display. Leonids can be seen Nov. 17-18: Typically modest but known for occasional meteor storms. The Leonids Meteor Shower is visible in Hawaiʻi's clear skies. With up to 15 meteors per hour, this shower is known for its swift and bright meteors. Originating from Comet Tempel-Tuttle, the Leonids are best viewed after midnight. The meteors seem to radiate from the constellation Leo and create a striking celestial show. Geminids can be seen Dec. 13-14: The Geminids Meteor Shower is one of the most reliable and prolific meteor showers that offers bright meteors and offers up to 120 meteors per hour. This makes it one of the most prolific meteor showers observable from Earth. They originate from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon in the Gemini constellation and are known for their bright, colorful streaks. Please note that the visibility of these events can be affected by local weather conditions and light pollution. You can click here for more information on what events Stargazers Hawaiʻi will be offering telescope access to the public. You can click here to access NASA's calendar for celestial events in 2025. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 For the best viewing experience, find a dark location away from city lights and consult local astronomical resources for precise timings and additional details.
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