Stargazers had high hopes for 2024, in part due to the long-awaited total solar eclipse across the United States in April, but the cosmos had a few surprises in store. About one month after the eclipse, a different astronomical wonder stole the spotlight, filling the sky with awe-inspiring colors that haven’t been seen in parts of the world in decades.
Here are the top three astronomy events of the past year, according to AccuWeather meteorologists:
3: The return of Comet C/2023 A3
One of the surprises in the night sky in 2024 was Comet A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), which made a close approach to Earth in mid-October. For a few nights, the comet and its tail were visible to the naked eye, and photographers captured mesmerizing images of the celestial object. It was the first time Comet A3 had visited the inner solar system in 80,000 years, and the brightest comet to appear in the sky since Comet NEOWISE in 2020.
2: Aurora borealis creates historic light shows
Seeing the northern lights is a bucket list item for countless people, and in 2024, dreams came to life as the night sky glowed in shades of green, pink and purple. A powerful geomagnetic storm on May 10 into May 11 sparked the biggest aurora outbreak in over 20 years, with the celestial lights visible in every state, as well as parts of the Caribbean.
Another outburst of the aurora coincided with the Perseid meteor shower in mid-August, allowing stargazers to see shooting stars amid a jaw-dropping display of colors in the cosmos.
1: Total solar eclipse turns day into night
Of course, the biggest astronomical event of the year had to be the total solar eclipse on April 8. This spectacle saw the moon completely cover the sun, casting a shadow across the United States from Texas to Maine, as well as portions of Mexico and Canada. Millions crowded into the path of totality to see the rare event—the last of its kind visible from the contiguous U.S. until 2044.
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