The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
CELESTIAL SIGHTINGS
WHEN TO SEE A TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE, METEOR SHOWERS IN 2022
From meteor showers to “supermoons,” there are plenty of astronomical wonders to look up to the sky for in 2022. Connecticut’s position in the northern hemisphere of the globe allows it to be central for a number of astronomical events that occur in the night sky.
In 2022 alone, a two total lunar eclipses will be visible — a rarity. This will not happen again for another three years. In addition, the state will be in a prime position to witness two back-to-back “supermoons,” which will be visible in June and July.
Total lunar eclipse
According to NASA, the Earth will see a rare two total lunar eclipses in 2022. The next time two total lunar eclipses will be visible in the same year will be 2025.
The first total lunar eclipse will take place on May 16 and will be visible in most of North America, Europe and Africa. The second of the eclipses, which will take place on Nov. 8, will be seen in Asia, Australia, the Pacific and parts of the Americas.
In Connecticut, only the first total lunar eclipse will be completely visible while the second eclipse can only partially be seen in Connecticut when the moon sets.
Total lunar eclipses occur when the sun and moon are on exact opposite sides of the Earth. While in the moon’s shadow, which happens when it is a full moon, the sun’s light passes through the Earth’s atmosphere. The atmosphere filters most of the light that passes through however, some reaches the moon, giving it the signature red appearance during eclipses, according to NASA.
In addition, two partial solar eclipses will be visible from Earth in 2022, however, neither of them will be able to be seen from North America, according to NASA.
Meteor showers
The following meteor showers can be seen in the skies from Connecticut in 2022, according to the Almanac:
Lyrid - Peak: Apr. 21-22
Eta Aquarid - Peak: May 4-5
Delta Aquarid - Peak: July 28-29
Perseid - Peak: Aug. 11-12
Draconid - Peak: Oct. 8-10
Orionid - Oct. 20-21
Northern Taurid - Nov. 11-12
Leonid - Nov. 16-17
Andromedid - Nov. 25-27
Geminid - Dec. 13-14
Ursid - Dec. 21-22
Each meteor shower has its own best time to view it in the night sky. Different meteor showers also tend to have better displays in Connecticut than others; Perseid and Geminid are the most visible of the bunch due to their number of meteors per hour.
To best spot any meteor shower, it is recommended that you travel to an area with as little light as possible and arrive early enough before the peak in order to adjust your eyes to the darkness. Additionally, the Almanac says that cloudy nights and harsh city lights can obstruct meteor showers.
According to NASA, meteor showers occur when a comet comes around the sun and leaves a trail of dust behind them. Broken fragments from the comet as well as the dust collide with the Earth’s atmosphere as the planet passes the debris trails, causing the comet remnants to produce colorful streaks across the night sky.
‘Supermoons’
“Supermoons” are classified as new or full moons that are near perigee, or the point where the moon’s orbit is closest to the Earth, according the Almanac. This causes the moon to appear much larger when looking up into the night sky.
Generally, full moons are true “supermoons” since they can be seen completely
from Earth while new moons are typically not seen from the Earth.
This year’s two “supermoons” take place in back-to-back months:
“Full Strawberry Moon” - June 14 “Full Buck Moon” - July 13
Equinoxes and Solstices
Equinoxes signal when the Earth’s axis is neither away from nor toward the sun, meaning that all latitudes receive equal amounts of light and darkness, according to the National Weather Service. Equinoxes signal the introduction of spring and fall.
Solstices occur when the Earth’s tilt is most toward the sun. In turn, they mark the longest and shortest days of the year. Solstices signal the introduction of summer and winter.
The following dates are the 2022 equinoxes and solstices:
Vernal Equinox: March 20-21
Summer Solstice: June 20-22
Autumnal Equinox: Sept. 22-23
Winter Solstice: Dec. 21-22