6 spectacular night sky events to see in 2024

The upcoming year is filled with wonders for stargazers, including prime-condition meteor showers and a total solar eclipse.

Sky-watchers are in for a treat next year, as an array of celestial marvels will light up the heavens in 2024. The main attractions that will captivate hundreds of millions include a total eclipse of the sun and spectacular meteor showers – and throughout the year, dazzling auroras are expected to be more common as the sun nears solar maximum. Also keep an eye out for a captivating pairings of the moon with the nearest and brightest planets, visible without any aids. And if that’s not enough, not one but two comets may grace our skies.

Here are the best sky-watching events worth circling on your calendar this year.

January 18: Jupiter and the moon dance together.

The year kicks off with an eye-catching pairing of two bright neighboring worlds: the moon and Jupiter. The largest planet in the solar system will dominate the early evening sky on January 18, appearing beside a glowing half-moon. If you miss the January pairing, don’t worry, as Jupiter and the moon will meet…