Your 2024 AstroWrapped is here!

And just like that 2024 has come to an end. This year, astronomy enthusiasts were treated to an abundance of breathtaking events, from solar eclipses, and beautiful auroras, to passing comets, and dazzling meteor showers. Now, as we wrap up another exciting year of looking up at the night sky, let’s reflect on the remarkable moments that made 2024 unforgettable for amateur astronomers (and non-astronomers) around the globe. Join us in today’s astrobito as we celebrate the most awe-inspiring astronomy events of the year!

2024 has been a year packed with stunning astronomical events, captivating stargazers across the globe. From fascinating solar eclipses to the brilliant displays of auroras, this year has offered some extraordinary opportunities to witness the universe in action. Wherever you were on planet Earth,, 2024 was a year that brought the universe closer to home. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the cosmic highlights and look ahead to what’s in store for the next year.

Solar eclipse in North America

One of the most significant events of 2024 was the total solar eclipse on April 8, which was visible across parts of North America. The path of totality stretched from Mexico through parts of the United States, and up into Canada, providing millions of people the rare opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring phenomenon of the Sun completely obscured by the Moon. In total, an estimated 100 million people were in the path to experience totality, while millions more saw a partial eclipse.

Total solar eclipse in May 2024 as seen from different locations in North America. Photos by Miguel Martinez Corona, Kirby Lee, Gay Hershorn, and Stan Honda, respectively.

So, why do solar eclipses happen? The science behind them is fascinating. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on Earth. The alignment is incredibly precise, which is why these events are relatively rare. The key is that the Moon and the Sun appear to be roughly the same size in our sky. This is because the Sun is about 400 times wider than the Moon but also 400 times further away, creating an optical illusion of equivalence. This allows the Moon to completely cover the Sun’s disk, turning day into night for a few minutes and allowing us to see the solar corona—the Sun’s outer atmosphere—glowing brightly.

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth and casts the darkest part of its shadow (Umbra) on Earth. Places where the Penumbra falls see a partial solar eclipse. Figura adapted from https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/total-solar-eclipse-info.html

Looking ahead, there are plenty of solar eclipses to anticipate in the next decade. The next total solar eclipse will occur on August 12, 2026, and will be visible across parts of the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. For Latin America, the next solar eclipse will happen on January 26, 2028 and will be visible in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil. Then, on July 22, 2028, a total eclipse will be visible from parts of Australia, including New South Wales and Queensland, making it a significant event for those in the southern hemisphere.

What’s that in the sky? Auroras!

If you’ve ever been lucky enough to see an aurora, you’ve witnessed one of the most mesmerising phenomena in the night sky. These stunning displays of colour—also known as the Northern and Southern Lights—occur when charged particles from the Sun interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, creating brilliant streaks of light. 2024 has been a particularly exciting year for auroras, as we are near the solar maximum, the peak of the 11-year solar cycle, which increases the number of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These high-energy bursts of solar wind are responsible for creating the vibrant auroras that light up the sky.

2024 gifted us with stunning aurora displays all around the world. Photos by Jacob Anderson, @MeteOrihuela, James Hustler, and Phillip Hirst.

Auroras are all about spectroscopy. When the charged particles from the Sun collide with gases in Earth's atmosphere, such as oxygen and nitrogen, they excite these atoms, causing them to release energy in the form of light. The color of the aurora depends on the type of gas and the altitude at which the interaction occurs. Oxygen at higher altitudes (above 150 km) produces red and green colors, while nitrogen at lower altitudes tends to create purple, blue, or pink hues.

Auroras form in the sky near the polar regions as the particles ejected from the sun interact with atmospheric gases like oxygen and nitrogen. Figure from https://www.goopti.com/en/about/goopti_blog/aurora-borealis-where-to-see-the-northern-lights-in-2020

2024 saw some incredible aurora events. One of the most notable occurred in May, when a massive solar storm hit Earth, creating an intense aurora display that stretched to regions where aurora sightings are extremely rare. People in places like Scotland, Northern Ireland, othr parts of Europe, and the northern United States were able to witness the auroras in all their brilliance—phenomena that typically occur much closer to the poles. Likewise, in the southern hemisphere, auroras displayed all their glamour in regions like Uluru in Australia, located at a latitude of ~ 25°S; that is just 25 degrees of the equator!

The solar cycle has a significant impact on aurora visibility, and as we reach the solar maximum, 2025 will likely continue this trend, bringing more opportunities for spectacular light shows in unexpected locations.

Meteors and comets

2024 has been a standout year for meteors and comets too, giving stargazers plenty to look up at. The Perseid meteor shower, which peaked in August, was one of the most anticipated meteor events, delivering dozens of meteors per hour. But it wasn’t just meteors that made headlines this year—comet C/2023 A3 made a stunning appearance. Visible to the naked eye, this comet’s bright tail illuminated the sky, with its signature greenish glow caused by the presence of cyanogen gas in its coma. The interaction of sunlight with these gases excites the molecules, causing them to glow.

A group of ducks caught the glow in the sky from meteor debriefs in Portugal back in May, while comet C/2023 A3 showed up in the night sky in September. Images by @oneportuguesefarm and Ethan Miller.

In addition to the comet, fragments of a comet or meteor broke apart and were seen over Portugal and Spain. The fireball, visible in the night sky, was part of a larger meteor shower, giving people in these regions a thrilling show. It was a reminder that the skies above are full of surprises!

Looking ahead

In 2025, skywatchers will be treated to a series of fascinating events too. One of the highlights will be Venus at its greatest eastern elongation. During this event, Venus will be positioned at its farthest point from the Sun in the evening sky, making it the perfect time to observe the planet, often referred to as the "Evening Star." As the Sun sets, Venus will shine brightly, visible for hours as it slowly sinks below the horizon. This event provides an ideal opportunity for both amateur astronomers and casual skywatchers to appreciate the beauty of our neighboring planet in its full splendor. Meanwhile, Mars will reach opposition, when the Red Planet will be directly opposite the Sun in the sky. At this point, Mars will be closest to Earth, appearing brighter and larger than usual.

In the eclipses space, 2025 will also bring a couple of lunar eclipses and promises increased solar activity, with more solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These energetic events will heighten the chances of witnessing stunning and intense auroras like the ones we saw this year. The heightened solar activity will remind us of the dynamic nature of our solar system and offer skywatchers a chance to witness the Sun's powerful influence on our planet.

As the universe continues to unfold above us, let’s cherish the moments of awe and wonder that connect us all. The night sky is a vast canvas waiting for us to explore—and with every new event, we get one step closer to understanding the cosmos, and enjoying it as well. Here’s to more shared moments of wonder and discovery. Keep looking up—the stars are waiting!

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