2025 will be an exceptional year for astronomical observation, with outstanding events such as meteor showers and planetary alignments that will offer a unique spectacle in the sky.
Julieta Fierro Gossman, a researcher at the Astronomy Institute of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, explained to UNAM Global Magazine that in Mexico the sky is clearer from November to April, while the rest of the year clouds make stargazing difficult.
You can take this into account for the development of the different astronomical phenomena that will take place next year.
8 astronomical phenomena in 2025
1. The Moon will pass in front of Saturn
On January 4 and 31, the Moon will briefly hide Saturn, a planet that is often confused with a star due to its brightness, as explained by Julieta Fierro. This phenomenon is exciting because Saturn reappears shortly after.
2. The planets align
On January 18 and February 28, six planets (Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune) will align. Although it will not be a perfect alignment, the phenomenon will be visible at dawn, with some planets visible to the naked eye, but others, such as Uranus and Neptune, will require a telescope.
3. The Earth will reach perihelion
The Earth will be at its closest point to the Sun on January 4; This location is known as perihelion, and is approximately 147 million kilometers away. In contrast, aphelion is the furthest point, at 152 million kilometers.
According to Kepler’s laws, planetary orbits are elliptical, which implies that the distance to the Sun varies. Although warmer could be expected at perihelion, it is winter in the northern hemisphere due to the inclination of the Earth’s axis, which distances this region from the Sun. Therefore, the seasons depend on this inclination and not on the distance from the Sun.
4. Supermoon
The Moon, moving in an elliptical orbit around the Earth, sometimes appears larger or smaller.
October 7, November 4 and December 4 will be the dates where we will see it largest because it is close to our planet. Its intense shine is due to elements such as aluminum and calcium on its surface, which reflect a lot of light.
5. Equinoxes
The equinoxes occur twice a year: in spring and autumn, due to the tilt of the Earth’s axis as it orbits the Sun.
On March 20 at 4:01 a.m. (Mexico City time) will be the spring equinox, which is when the Sun aligns over the equator, balancing the hours of light and darkness. Although the Earth is further from the Sun at this time, its tilt allows regions like Mexico to receive more sunlight. Starting with this equinox, the days begin to lengthen.
On September 22 at 12:19 p.m. the autumn equinox will occur, marking the beginning of longer nights that reach their peak at the winter solstice.
6. Meteor showers
Comets are icy bodies that, when approaching the Sun, release ice fragments that form spectacular meteor showers as they enter the Earth’s atmosphere.
The Quadrantid meteor shower will be visible on January 3 and 4, originating in the ancient constellation Quadrans Muralis, today near Bootes. This phenomenon can generate between 20 and 60 meteors per hour, with intense colors and great brightness.
The Orionids, coming from the constellation Orion, will be observed from October 2 to November 7, with their maximum between October 21 and 22. They are fast, with speeds of 66 km/s, and produce between 15 and 20 meteors per hour.
Meanwhile, the Leonids will be active from November 6 to 30 and will have their peak on the 17th. They stand out for their intensity, brightness and speed of 71 km/s. They have produced historic showers of up to 1,000 meteors per hour, leaving luminous trails in the sky.
7. Lunar eclipse
On September 7, a lunar eclipse will occur, a phenomenon that occurs when the Earth is placed between the Sun and the Moon, projecting the shadow of the sun on the lunar surface.
This event can only occur during the full moon phase, when the three celestial bodies are aligned. The Moon will not darken completely, as sunlight passes through the atmosphere and is projected onto it, giving it a reddish hue.
8. Solar eclipse
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth, casting its shadow on our planet. This phenomenon will be visible on March 29 in Russia and Greenland, while on September 21 it can be observed in the Pacific and Antarctica.
