A first-quarter moon at the shower's peak may block out all but the brightest meteors. June 22, first day of summer: The summer solstice occurs when the Earth's North Pole is directly over the Tropic of Cancer. Produced by debris left behind by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, this shower is best viewed after midnight. The shower, which runs July 17 to Aug. 24, is known for producing large numbers of bright meteors. So consider watching past the peak dates, and especially after Aug. 17, when moonless skies prevail, according to Earthsky.org. The first-quarter moon sets just after midnight, so dark skies will enhance meteor viewing. Either shower can be seen from anywhere in the sky, though Earthsky.org advises placing yourself in the moon's shadow near a barn or other structure.

What makes this shooting star show unusual is that the meteors come from separate debris streams — dust grains left behind Asteroid 2004 TG10 and debris from Comet 2P Encke. The July full moon was also called the full buck moon by Native American tribes because that's when male deer begin growing their antlers, but it's also been called the full thunder moon and full hay moon. Native American tribes called it the full hunter's moon, because it's the time of year when the game was fat and ready to be hunted.

“They’re kind of the old faithful of meteor showers.”. (Are bright fireballs worth the sleep deprivation? During the Perseids, it's not unusual to see a fireball every few hours, Cooke says. The first full moon after the spring equinox also is called the sprouting grass moon, the growing moon and the egg moon.

A relatively new moon will make for dark skies. Oct. 13, Mars at opposition: As Mars makes its closest approach to Earth, its entire face will be illuminated by the sun. Meteor Shower Calendar 2020-2021. Sept. 22, first day of fall: The autumnal equinox occurs when the sun shines directly on the equator and there are nearly equal amounts of day and night around the world. Here are some key celestial events to put on the 2020 family fun calendar: Jan. 3-4, Quadrantid meteor shower peak: This is a meteor shower you may never have heard of — it's short, running from Jan. 1-5, and occurs when it's miserable to be outside in most areas, but it's a shame if you've never caught it. Some coastal Native American tribes called it the full fish moon to mark the time of year when shad swam upstream to spawn. She's a senior at Northwestern working toward a joint Bachelor's and Master's degree in journalism. April 22-23, Lyrid meteor shower peak: This meteor shower running April 16-25 isn't the best of the year, but with warmer weather settling in, it's worth a look. Coinciding with Alpha Capricornids, Delta Aquarids will peak during the same time period, but those meteor showers won’t be visible in the Northern Hemisphere.

Feb. 9, full moon and supermoon: This full moon is also the first of four 2020 supermoons — moons that appear to be larger and brighter as they make their closest approach to Earth. List of meteor showers. Aug. 3, full moon: Native American tribes called it the full sturgeon moon because the large fish found in the Great Lakes and other major lakes were easier to catch at this time of the year. Colorado cities make four of five top spots for best places to live in the U.S. Can you travel to the mountains to hike, ski under the new COVID-19 restrictions? They just might be Alpha Capricornids. This type of eclipse happens when the moon passes through the Earth's partial shadow, called a penumbra, and the moon darkens slightly. August Meteor Shower. This shower isn’t known for being particularly strong or fast, but it offers a few bright fireballs. The thief coronavirus has robbed Americans of many of their summer pleasures, but it can't steal the annual Perseid meteor shower as it builds to its peak, when 50 to 75 shooting stars an hour may be seen in the skies over Colorado. Each meteor shower has a radiant point where the meteors appear to originate; with the Perseids, it's the constellation Perseus. Heavy snow fell over Native American camps at this time of year, so they called the February full moon either the full snow moon or the full hunger moon, the latter because hunting was more difficult in heavy snow. Comet Swift-Tuttle The best time to look for the planet is low in the western sky just after sunset. To start your resolution off right, note that astronomers are buzzing about the Quadrantid meteor shower that peaks Jan. 3-4. The January full moon has also been called the old moon and the moon after yule. Oct 31, full moon and blue moon: There's one blue moon — that is, the second of two full moons in a single month — in 2020. As a result, Comet Swift-Tuttle produces a large number of meteoroids, many of which are large enough to produce fireballs," he wrote for NASA. Where to go stargazing in Colorado, from parks to small towns, Last hit: Chinese food stall Ginger Pig moves into North Denver brick-and-mortar, Up next: Nederland’s Caribou Room brings mini festival vibe to its outdoor lot, The Perseids — the most popular meteor shower of the year — set to peak Tuesday night, Newly discovered NEOWISE — the “most exciting comet” in more than 20 years — will be visible this month, The sky is not falling, but a crazy meteor did explode over Colorado Tuesday night, Summit County reduces ski area capacity to prevent spread of COVID-19, Your neighborhood guide to 150+ heated restaurant patios around Denver, Colorado ski areas allowed to stay open under Level Red COVID-19 restrictions, New incline trail with 132 steps opening for adventurous hikers this Thanksgiving, 12 easy options for Thanksgiving takeout around Denver. Look for it low in the eastern sky just before sunrise. Dec. 13-14, Geminid meteor shower peak: The only thing the Perseids have over the Geminids is that they occur in the summer when it's comfortable to be outside. After midnight is the best time to look for meteors, which radiate from the constellation Taurus but can be seen anywhere in the sky. The moons should be visible through a good pair of binoculars. March 24, Mercury at its greatest western elongation: Mercury will be at its highest point above the eastern horizon just before sunrise. On July 4, the Earth will tilt farther away from the sun in the Northern Hemisphere, Keller said. The shower runs annually Oct. 6-10. It's the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Delta Aquarids are not as prolific as the Perseids, but up to 10 percent of them leave persistent trains — that is, glowing ionized gas trails that can last for a second or two after the meteor passes. The meteors come from the constellation Ursa Minor but can be seen anywhere in the sky. March 9, full moon and supermoon: This month's full moon is the second of the four 2020 supermoons. A penumbral lunar eclipse, which occurs when the moon passes through the Earth's partial shadow — or penumbra — will also occur Jan. 10 but won't be visible in the United States. Peak of Perseid meteor shower: The maximum of the Perseid activity in 2020 is expected during the night of the 12th August 2020.

By Amber Fisher , Patch Staff Aug 9, 2020 … Viewing conditions are best after midnight. The harvest moon is always one that occurs closest to the September equinox. The meteors will be more visible. As the coronavirus pandemic cancels big family Thanksgiving dinners, Butterball prepares to hear from first-time and, perhaps, lonely cooks. Dark skies are the best for meteor shower viewing. Unlike other meteor showers, the peak viewing time is in the early evening hours. Meteors are produced when the Earth passes through debris left behind by comets as it orbits the sun. It's also been called the frosty moon and the hunter's moon. In late July, the moon will be about 66% full for decent visibility, weather permitting. There are no meteor showers in September, but the fall offers plenty of opportunity to see shooting stars, especially during those from the Geminid meteor shower. The annual Perseid meteor shower is known as the "fireball champion" of meteor showers and can be seen over Colorado for most of August. In 2021, the Perseids will peak on the night between Aug 12–13. June 4, Mercury at its greatest eastern elongation: Mercury will again be close to the sun.