Stargazing Events to Watch in 2025

Admin

January 4, 2025
4 min read

If you’re a stargazer, 2025 promises to be an exciting year, with stunning celestial events lighting up the UK’s night skies. From a dazzling Quadrantid meteor shower to a partial solar eclipse, a total lunar eclipse, and three consecutive supermoons, this year offers plenty for astronomy enthusiasts. With the Sun’s activity peaking, we may also witness more spectacular aurora borealis displays. Let’s explore the major stargazing events awaiting us.

The Quadrantid meteor shower kicks off the year, reaching its peak on 3th or 4th January. This is one of the strongest meteor showers of the year, with rates of up to 120 meteors per hour. These meteors, or “shooting stars,” are debris that enter Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of up to 70 km per second, creating bright trails. The Quadrantids are known for their short yet intense peak and can be observed with the naked eye, provided you move away from light pollution and allow your eyes to adjust to the night sky.

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A partial solar eclipse will be visible in the UK on 29th March, as the Moon aligns between the Earth and the Sun. This cosmic event, starting at 10:07 GMT, will reach maximum coverage at 11:03 and end around midday, with 30–40% of the Sun obscured. The UK’s last total solar eclipse occurred in 1999, and the next won’t happen until 2090, according to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. Experts warn never to look directly at the Sun and recommend using solar filter glasses for safe viewing.

On 7th September, the UK will experience a total lunar eclipse when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align. This “blood moon” effect, caused by Earth’s atmosphere scattering sunlight, will last an impressive one hour and 22 minutes. Lunar eclipses are completely safe to view with the naked eye. The key to enjoying these events is finding a clear sky and minimising surrounding light.

Supermoons will make a return this year, with three occurring on 7th October, 5th November, and 4th December. Supermoons appear up to 15% brighter and 30% larger than regular full moons. Named after Native American traditions, these moons reflect seasonal changes, with names like Hunter’s Moon, Beaver Moon, and Cold Moon. For the best views, a telescope or binoculars can enhance the experience, though the phenomenon is easily appreciated with the naked eye.

Another fascinating event in the astronomical world is Saturn’s disappearing rings. Scientists have discovered that Saturn’s iconic rings are gradually vanishing, a process known as “ring rain.” The planet’s gravitational pull causes icy particles from the rings to drift toward Saturn’s atmosphere, where they burn up. NASA estimates that the rings could completely disappear in roughly 100 million years, offering a rare opportunity for us to witness their current splendour. Saturn will be well-placed for observation in the summer of 2025, making it a perfect time for stargazers to marvel at this celestial giant. A clear sky, a telescope, or even binoculars will help reveal Saturn’s rings in all their glory.

Finally, the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, may offer more spectacular displays in 2025 as the Sun reaches the peak of its 11-year activity cycle. These impressive light shows, caused by charged solar particles interacting with Earth’s atmosphere, are best seen on dark, clear nights. Aurora displays last year were breathtaking, and with luck, this year will bring even more opportunities to witness nature’s light show.

Visit the Royal Observatory Greenwich for detailed information on upcoming stargazing events.

For more updates on celestial events and stargazing tips, visit EyeOnLondon.