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See Also
See Again
© Getty Images
0 / 31 Fotos
Saturn's rings will "disappear"
- Saturn is known for its rings. It is true that over millions of years, the planet's rings have been slowly pulled into its atmosphere, but they won't disappear any time soon... Or will they?
© Getty Images
1 / 31 Fotos
Saturn's rings will "disappear"
- In 2025, Saturn will tilt as it orbits the Sun and the edge of its rings will align with Earth. This means that an optical illusion will be created where the rings appear to vanish.
© Getty Images
2 / 31 Fotos
Saturn's rings will "disappear"
- This viewpoint illusion is actually a great opportunity to observe Saturn's moons more clearly. Then, in 2032, the orientation of Saturn will change and we'll be able to observe the rings’ underside, which is a pretty unique opportunity as well!
© Getty Images
3 / 31 Fotos
Perseid meteor shower
- The Perseid meteor shower is linked to the comet Swift-Tuttle. It occurs every year from late July to August, as Earth passes through the comet's debris.
© Getty Images
4 / 31 Fotos
Perseid meteor shower
- You can catch the Perseid at its peak activity on the night of Aug 12, 2024. However, if you want to witness something really special, you'll have to wait a few more years...
© Getty Images
5 / 31 Fotos
Perseid meteor shower
- While this is a yearly event, the 2028 meteor shower is highly anticipated. This is because Earth will pass through a dense cloud of meteoric dust released by the comet back in 1479, which is expected to cause a spectacular "meteor storm."
© Getty Images
6 / 31 Fotos
Leonid meteor shower
- The Leonids are another annual meteor shower. However, a spectacular meteor storm occurs about every 33 years. This happens when our planet passes through clouds of debris left by the comet Tempel–Tuttle.
© Getty Images
7 / 31 Fotos
Leonid meteor shower
- The event has attracted many people over the years, as the meteors can be seen with the naked eye. All you need is a dark sky and some patience.
© Getty Images
8 / 31 Fotos
Leonid meteor shower
- The next Leonid meteor storm is expected to occur from November 6 to November 30, 2031. If you can only observe it for one night, aim for November 18, as this is when it's expected to be at its peak.
© Getty Images
9 / 31 Fotos
Transit of Mercury
- Mercury passing directly between the Earth and the Sun is a pretty rare event that occurs about 13 to 14 times per century.
© Getty Images
10 / 31 Fotos
Transit of Mercury
- The last time we could witness Mercury as a small dot moving across the sun was on November 11, 2019.
© Getty Images
11 / 31 Fotos
Transit of Mercury
- The next Transit of Mercury will occur on November 13, 2032, and the subsequent one in 2039. However, they won't be visible from North America. If that's where you live, you'll have to wait until 2049, or 2052 if you happen to live on the West Coast, to witness the event.
© Getty Images
12 / 31 Fotos
Super blue moon
- A super blue moon is a rare phenomenon that occurs when there is a combination of a full moon, a supermoon, and a blue moon.
© Getty Images
13 / 31 Fotos
Super Blue Moon
- A supermoon is observed when a full moon is at its closest point to our planet. These occur three to four times a year. A blue moon, on the other hand, is rarer. This is when two full moons occur in a single month.
© Getty Images
14 / 31 Fotos
Super Blue Moon
- If you missed the last super blue moon back in 2023, you'll have the chance to experience the phenomenon in January and March 2037.
© Getty Images
15 / 31 Fotos
Planetary Alignment
- Planetary alignments occur when two or more planets align in the sky (from our perspective on Earth). This is also known as a planetary conjunction.
© Getty Images
16 / 31 Fotos
Planetary Alignment
- For more than two planets to align in the sky is pretty uncommon. After all, the paths of their orbits must coincide at one point.
© Getty Images
17 / 31 Fotos
Planetary Alignment
- The last time there was a planetary alignment was in January 2024. And while a couple will occur in 2025, the next time we'll see five naked-eye planets aligned (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) will be in 2040.
© Getty Images
18 / 31 Fotos
The 'Great' Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
- The last 'Great' Conjunction, where Jupiter and Saturn could be seen aligned together in the sky, occurred in December 2020. The celestial event is also known as the "Christmas Star."
© Getty Images
19 / 31 Fotos
The 'Great' Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
- Before 2020, the last time the two planets passed this close to each other was nearly 400 years ago. And it has been nearly 800 years since they were visible at night!
© Getty Images
20 / 31 Fotos
The 'Great' Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
- So when will Jupiter and Saturn be visible this close again? The answer is November 2040. If you miss it, you can observe it again in March 2080.
© Getty Images
21 / 31 Fotos
Total Solar Eclipse
- This celestial event occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun. On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse could be seen across North America. These celestial events are not witnessed simultaneously in every part of the planet.
© Getty Images
22 / 31 Fotos
Total Solar Eclipse
- The next total solar eclipse will take place on August 12, 2026, and will be mostly visible in parts of southwestern Europe and the Arctic region, and partially visible in North America, Western Africa, and some parts of Europe.
© Getty Images
23 / 31 Fotos
Total Solar Eclipse
- In August 12, 2045 a special eclipse will happen. Dubbed the "Greatest American Eclipse," it will last six minutes and four seconds, and will be visible coast-to-coast across 12 states, as well as some locations in Central and South America.
© Getty Images
24 / 31 Fotos
Full Moon on a leap day
- A leap day occurs every four years, so that's a rare event on its own. So, what are the chances of a full moon occurring on February 29th? Very low indeed. The probability of this happening Is twice every 236 years.
© Getty Images
25 / 31 Fotos
Full Moon on a leap day
- The rare celestial event has only been recorded a few times over the years; in 1504, 1600, 1752, 1820, and 1972.
© Getty Images
26 / 31 Fotos
Full Moon on a leap day
- The next full moon on leap day is expected to occur in 2048. If you miss this event, you won't have the chance to witness it again, as there won't be another full moon on February 29th until 2124, and then 2268.
© Getty Images
27 / 31 Fotos
Halley's Comet return
- Halley's Comet passes every 75–79 years and it's visible to the naked eye from Earth.
© Getty Images
28 / 31 Fotos
Halley's Comet return
- The last time Halley’s Comet could be seen from our planet was in 1986.
© Getty Images
29 / 31 Fotos
Halley's Comet return
- Halley’s Comet has been moving towards the Sun since 2023 and it's expected to be visible from Earth in 2061. The event will occur in late spring/early summer and will mostly be visible in the Northern Hemisphere. Sources: (Space.com) (NASA) (Forbes) (Star Walk) (Listverse) See also: The greatest discoveries and advancements in the history of astronomy
© Public Domain
30 / 31 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 31 Fotos
Saturn's rings will "disappear"
- Saturn is known for its rings. It is true that over millions of years, the planet's rings have been slowly pulled into its atmosphere, but they won't disappear any time soon... Or will they?
© Getty Images
1 / 31 Fotos
Saturn's rings will "disappear"
- In 2025, Saturn will tilt as it orbits the Sun and the edge of its rings will align with Earth. This means that an optical illusion will be created where the rings appear to vanish.
© Getty Images
2 / 31 Fotos
Saturn's rings will "disappear"
- This viewpoint illusion is actually a great opportunity to observe Saturn's moons more clearly. Then, in 2032, the orientation of Saturn will change and we'll be able to observe the rings’ underside, which is a pretty unique opportunity as well!
© Getty Images
3 / 31 Fotos
Perseid meteor shower
- The Perseid meteor shower is linked to the comet Swift-Tuttle. It occurs every year from late July to August, as Earth passes through the comet's debris.
© Getty Images
4 / 31 Fotos
Perseid meteor shower
- You can catch the Perseid at its peak activity on the night of Aug 12, 2024. However, if you want to witness something really special, you'll have to wait a few more years...
© Getty Images
5 / 31 Fotos
Perseid meteor shower
- While this is a yearly event, the 2028 meteor shower is highly anticipated. This is because Earth will pass through a dense cloud of meteoric dust released by the comet back in 1479, which is expected to cause a spectacular "meteor storm."
© Getty Images
6 / 31 Fotos
Leonid meteor shower
- The Leonids are another annual meteor shower. However, a spectacular meteor storm occurs about every 33 years. This happens when our planet passes through clouds of debris left by the comet Tempel–Tuttle.
© Getty Images
7 / 31 Fotos
Leonid meteor shower
- The event has attracted many people over the years, as the meteors can be seen with the naked eye. All you need is a dark sky and some patience.
© Getty Images
8 / 31 Fotos
Leonid meteor shower
- The next Leonid meteor storm is expected to occur from November 6 to November 30, 2031. If you can only observe it for one night, aim for November 18, as this is when it's expected to be at its peak.
© Getty Images
9 / 31 Fotos
Transit of Mercury
- Mercury passing directly between the Earth and the Sun is a pretty rare event that occurs about 13 to 14 times per century.
© Getty Images
10 / 31 Fotos
Transit of Mercury
- The last time we could witness Mercury as a small dot moving across the sun was on November 11, 2019.
© Getty Images
11 / 31 Fotos
Transit of Mercury
- The next Transit of Mercury will occur on November 13, 2032, and the subsequent one in 2039. However, they won't be visible from North America. If that's where you live, you'll have to wait until 2049, or 2052 if you happen to live on the West Coast, to witness the event.
© Getty Images
12 / 31 Fotos
Super blue moon
- A super blue moon is a rare phenomenon that occurs when there is a combination of a full moon, a supermoon, and a blue moon.
© Getty Images
13 / 31 Fotos
Super Blue Moon
- A supermoon is observed when a full moon is at its closest point to our planet. These occur three to four times a year. A blue moon, on the other hand, is rarer. This is when two full moons occur in a single month.
© Getty Images
14 / 31 Fotos
Super Blue Moon
- If you missed the last super blue moon back in 2023, you'll have the chance to experience the phenomenon in January and March 2037.
© Getty Images
15 / 31 Fotos
Planetary Alignment
- Planetary alignments occur when two or more planets align in the sky (from our perspective on Earth). This is also known as a planetary conjunction.
© Getty Images
16 / 31 Fotos
Planetary Alignment
- For more than two planets to align in the sky is pretty uncommon. After all, the paths of their orbits must coincide at one point.
© Getty Images
17 / 31 Fotos
Planetary Alignment
- The last time there was a planetary alignment was in January 2024. And while a couple will occur in 2025, the next time we'll see five naked-eye planets aligned (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) will be in 2040.
© Getty Images
18 / 31 Fotos
The 'Great' Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
- The last 'Great' Conjunction, where Jupiter and Saturn could be seen aligned together in the sky, occurred in December 2020. The celestial event is also known as the "Christmas Star."
© Getty Images
19 / 31 Fotos
The 'Great' Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
- Before 2020, the last time the two planets passed this close to each other was nearly 400 years ago. And it has been nearly 800 years since they were visible at night!
© Getty Images
20 / 31 Fotos
The 'Great' Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
- So when will Jupiter and Saturn be visible this close again? The answer is November 2040. If you miss it, you can observe it again in March 2080.
© Getty Images
21 / 31 Fotos
Total Solar Eclipse
- This celestial event occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun. On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse could be seen across North America. These celestial events are not witnessed simultaneously in every part of the planet.
© Getty Images
22 / 31 Fotos
Total Solar Eclipse
- The next total solar eclipse will take place on August 12, 2026, and will be mostly visible in parts of southwestern Europe and the Arctic region, and partially visible in North America, Western Africa, and some parts of Europe.
© Getty Images
23 / 31 Fotos
Total Solar Eclipse
- In August 12, 2045 a special eclipse will happen. Dubbed the "Greatest American Eclipse," it will last six minutes and four seconds, and will be visible coast-to-coast across 12 states, as well as some locations in Central and South America.
© Getty Images
24 / 31 Fotos
Full Moon on a leap day
- A leap day occurs every four years, so that's a rare event on its own. So, what are the chances of a full moon occurring on February 29th? Very low indeed. The probability of this happening Is twice every 236 years.
© Getty Images
25 / 31 Fotos
Full Moon on a leap day
- The rare celestial event has only been recorded a few times over the years; in 1504, 1600, 1752, 1820, and 1972.
© Getty Images
26 / 31 Fotos
Full Moon on a leap day
- The next full moon on leap day is expected to occur in 2048. If you miss this event, you won't have the chance to witness it again, as there won't be another full moon on February 29th until 2124, and then 2268.
© Getty Images
27 / 31 Fotos
Halley's Comet return
- Halley's Comet passes every 75–79 years and it's visible to the naked eye from Earth.
© Getty Images
28 / 31 Fotos
Halley's Comet return
- The last time Halley’s Comet could be seen from our planet was in 1986.
© Getty Images
29 / 31 Fotos
Halley's Comet return
- Halley’s Comet has been moving towards the Sun since 2023 and it's expected to be visible from Earth in 2061. The event will occur in late spring/early summer and will mostly be visible in the Northern Hemisphere. Sources: (Space.com) (NASA) (Forbes) (Star Walk) (Listverse) See also: The greatest discoveries and advancements in the history of astronomy
© Public Domain
30 / 31 Fotos
Upcoming celestial events you should be excited about!
We're looking forward to these astronomical events
© Getty Images
We are lucky enough to witness a number of celestial events every year. While not all events are visible to the naked eye and may only occur in certain locations, we're constantly reminded that we're part of the universe. From meteor showers, to eclipses, and everything in between, there are some astronomical events that are indeed very rare, but if you're willing to wait a few years, you might just witness some of the most anticipated ones.
In this gallery, we list the coolest and most unique celestial events that will take place in the next 50 years. Click on and save the dates!
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