Astronomical calendar 2023: when did the ‘star showers’ and eclipses occur?

2023 will be a pleasant year for astronomy fans : find out on which days there will be visible phenomena from our sky.

Every year, new astronomical phenomena beautify our skies and interest a greater number of people. Meteor showers and eclipses are the most striking, so knowing their date is important to put together our 2023 calendar.

Throughout the year, four eclipses and six meteor showers will grace our sky. Likewise, up to six asteroids and comets will have a great approach to Earth, so that they can witness their journey in space.

Astronomical calendar 2023

For this January 3, the first meteor shower will occur: the quadrantids. These remains of comet 2003 EH1 can be seen until the 16th of this month, but its greatest activity is tonight. It can be appreciated especially in the northern hemisphere.

On February 1, comet C/2022 E3 will be appreciated at its perigee with our planet almost entirely.

Two days later, on the 3rd, asteroid 2011 AG5 will pass just 0.01 astronomical unit from our planet, allowing scientists to detail its known trajectory.

In April , the asteroid (4486) Mithra will do its thing on the 11th. From the 16th to the 26th, the expected meteor shower is the Lyrids, which maintains its peak on the 22nd. Its remains break off from comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher .

But precisely on April 20 we will have a partial solar eclipse that will coincide with a full moon, which will cause a hybrid eclipse or ring of fire. Unfortunately, those with the greatest visibility of the phenomenon are the countries of Australia, Timor and New Guinea.

In May , a penumbral lunar eclipse with a full moon will be present on the 5th.

In August we will have the peak of the Perseid meteor shower on August 11

In September , we will have the approach of the asteroid (458732) 2011 MD5 on September 22.

In October there will be a shower of Draconid and Orionid stars, with peaks on the 8th and 21st of the month. On the 14th, a new annular solar eclipse will align with the new Moon, while on the 28th there will be a partial lunar eclipse with the same phenomenon.

After the closest approach of the asteroid 2003 YT1 on November 3 , the last key event for the year will be on December 13 , with the peak of the Geminids meteor shower.