2020 looks to be a promising year for moon lovers, astronomy geeks, and shutterbugs. Whether you are an amateur astrophotographer or a professional lensman, the upcoming year guarantees lots of astronomical events that will allow you to capture vibrant photos of cosmic objects and produce stunning images of the night sky. Mark your calendar for these unmissable 2020 celestial events:
Astronomical Events to Watch for in 2020
January
Welcome the year with a bang by capturing the first-ever meteor shower event of the year.
- January 3, 4 - Quadrantids Meteor Shower
- January 10 - Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
February
In February, the night sky will be blessed with the first Supermoon appearance. Mercury will also be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky, so ready your gears just after sunset to capture the Swift Planet.
- February 9 - Full Moon, Supermoon
- February 10 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation
March
March is that time of the year when the infamous "worm moon" shows up in the sky. Capture it through your own camera lens along with the second Supermoon appearance.
- March 9 - Full Moon, Supermoon
- March 20 - March Equinox
- March 24 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation
- March 24 - Venus at Greatest Eastern Elongation
April
The night sky will be blessed with another meteor shower as the month draws to a close.
- April 8 - Full Moon, Supermoon
- April 22, 23 - Lyrids Meteor Shower
May
Missed the Lyrids Meteor Shower in April? Don't fret as the Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower is expected to grace the evening sky in May.
- May 6, 7 - Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower
- May 7 - Full Moon, Supermoon
Related link: 5 Ways to Photograph a Meteor Shower
June
June offers photographers the opportunity to witness another penumbral lunar eclipse. Apart from that, you can catch a glimpse of the "ring of fire" during the annular solar eclipse.
- June 4 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation
- June 5 - Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
- June 21 - Annular Solar Eclipse
- June 22 - June Solstice
July
July is looking to be a busy month for astrophotographers. Bust out your telephoto lens and prepare your tripod for five unmissable celestial events, including the appearances of Jupiter and Saturn.
- July 5 - Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
- July 14 - Jupiter at Opposition
- July 20 - Saturn at Opposition
- July 22 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation
- July 28, 29 - Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower
August
This August, grab the chance to photograph Venus at its highest point above the horizon. Be sure to look for the Morning Star in the eastern sky before sunrise.
- August 12, 13 - Perseids Meteor Shower
- August 13 - Venus at Greatest Western Elongation
September
Catch the best time to view Neptune this September plus take advantage of the sunlight by welcoming the equinox.
- September 11 - Neptune at Opposition
- September 22 - September Equinox
October
Be sure to bring out your tents and blankets and camp out with the gang as two meteor shower events are expected this October. Do some stargazing with your naked eye and let your gear do the shooting.
- October 1 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation
- October 7 - Draconids Meteor Shower
- October 13 - Mars at Opposition
- October 21, 22 - Orionids Meteor Shower
- October 31 - Full Moon, Blue Moon
- October 31 - Uranus at Opposition
November
Spend unforgettable moments under the stars as you witness two meteor showers, one penumbral eclipse, and Mercury at its greatest western elongation.
- November 4, 5 - Taurids Meteor Shower
- November 10 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation
- November 17, 18 - Leonids Meteor Shower
- November 30 - Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
December
January's celestial events let you celebrate the new year with a bang but they pale in comparison with December's night sky events. Don't miss the meteor showers, eclipse, and rare conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn before the year ends.
- December 13, 14 - Geminids Meteor Shower
- December 14 - Total Solar Eclipse
- December 21 - December Solstice
- December 21 - Rare Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
- December 21, 22 - Ursids Meteor Shower
The night sky is about to get busy this 2020. Be sure to save these dates for a chance to capture out-of-this-world photographs.
See also: Scientists Find a Galaxy with Three Supermassive Black Holes
