Sonoma residents got moony over this winter’s big celestial event, the “super blue blood moon” that graced the skies in the wee hours of January 31. This kind of eclipse — of the second full moon of the month while on its closest approach of orbit to Earth — last occurred in 1982, and won’t happen again until 2037. But there’s plenty of reason to keep your eyes peeled between now and then. Click through the gallery for astronomical events in 2018, and how to see them. (The super blue blood moon over the Alexander Valley near Geyserville, January 31, 2018, photo by Kent Porter)
MARCH 1-8, Planet Parade: Three planets dominate the southeastern sky at dawn, as Saturn, Mars and Jupiter seem to hover near each other. On March 8, the waning moon will appear to tuck itself between Mars and Jupiter. (Saturn, stock photo)
MAY 9, Close Encounter with Jupiter: Jupiter, at its closest approach to Earth and exactly opposite the Sun, will be fully illuminated and brighter than any other time of the year — the best opportunity to view our largest planet and its moons. (Jupiter, stock photo)
JULY 15, Venus and the Crescent Moon: At sunset, look low in the southwestern sky for a celestial close encounter: Venus and the thin waxing crescent moon will appear separated by less than 1.6 degrees, which is equal to about three lunar disks. (Venus and crescent moon, stock photo)
JULY 27, Mars Makes an Appearance: Mars will be at its peak visibility for 2018, looking to the naked eye like a super-bright orange star in the southern sky. On July 31, its orbit will bring the red planet within 35.8 million miles of Earth; it won’t get this close again until 2035. A backyard telescope will bring Mars’ white polar caps and dark volcanic plains into focus. (Mars, stock photo)
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AUGUST 12-13, Shooting Stars: The Perseid Meteor Shower runs annually from July 17 to August 24, peaking this year August 12-13. A standout among meteor showers for its intensity, it can produce 60 shooting stars an hour. The thin crescent moon will set in early evening, affording excellent viewing conditions until dawn. (The Perseid meteor shower above Geysers Road in Geyserville, August 12, 2016, photo by Kent Porter)
DECEMBER 12, Come See the Comet: Early predictions say comet 46P/ Wirtanen may be bright enough to spot with the unaided eye as it travels through the constellation Taurus. If so, it will be the brightest comet visible in the Northern Hemisphere in over five years. (Comet Panstarrs appears above Santa Rosa, March 14, 2013, photo by Kent Porter)
DECEMBER 13-14, Multicolored Meteors: The Geminids is considered the best shower in the heavens, producing up to 120 multicolored meteors an hour at its peak. The shower runs annually from December 7-17, peaking this year the night of the 13th and morning of the 14th. The first-quarter moon will set shortly after midnight leaving dark skies for the early morning show. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Gemini, but can appear anywhere in the sky. (Geminids meteor shower, stock photo)
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Sonoma residents got moony over this winter’s big celestial event, the “super blue blood moon” that graced the skies in the wee hours of January 31. This kind of eclipse — of the second full moon of the month while on its closest approach of orbit to Earth — last occurred in 1982, and won’t happen again until 2037. But there’s plenty of reason to keep your eyes peeled between now and then.
Two local astronomers — SSU professor Scott Severson and SRJC instructor Keith Waxman — shared the night sky events visible from Sonoma County they’re looking forward to most in 2018. Click through the gallery above for dates and details.
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