Exciting Celestial Events Coming Up
A recent super-powered solar storm led to a stunning display of the aurora borealis in Ireland, a rare sight at these latitudes and time of year. If you missed it, don’t worry! There are more celestial events to look forward to in the coming months.
Perseid Meteor Showers
- When: Mid-July to late-August
- What: This annual spectacle features thousands of bright streaks and fireballs in the night sky. It occurs when the Earth passes through a trail of dust particles left by comet Swift-Tuttle. The peak is expected on August 12th with up to 100 meteors per hour.
- Where: Visible in the northern hemisphere down to mid-southern latitudes with good viewing conditions this year.
The Midnight Sun
The best months to witness the midnight sun are June and July. In the Nordics, the sun shines for 24 hours a day between May and August, creating a unique phenomenon.
Any of the Nordic countries are great spots to experience this natural wonder.
Supermoons
- When: September 18th and October 17th
- What: Supermoons occur when the moon is at its closest approach to Earth and in its full phase, appearing larger than usual. The closest supermoon this year will be on October 17th.
- Where: Best observed at night, with a super harvest moon rising above Ireland on September 17th at 2:34am.
