2022
All times are in GMT. For example, in the US subtract 5 hours for EST (4 hours for EDT), so an event at 2 H will be seen at 9 PM EST or 10 PM EDT the previous evening in North America; for PST subtract 8 hours (7 hours for PDT)
2022 has two solar eclipses, both of which are partial. There are two total lunar eclipses, both well placed for the US. Late in the year, Mars has a pretty good opposition. While it’s not as big or bright as in 2018 or 2020, it’s a decent size (17” across). It’s also far enough north that it’s very well placed for northern observers, making this the best Mars viewing opportunity for northerners until 2033 – so catch the planet while you can! Of the three big meteor showers, only the Quadrantids escape interference from the Moon.
| January | ||
|---|---|---|
| Follow Asteroid Iris, approaching opposition Jan. 13 (mag. 7.6) in Gemini. To avoid the Moon, catch it during the previous week. | ||
| 2 | 14 H | Quadrantid Meteor Shower. The peak is timed best for Asia, but with no Moon they should be pretty good anywhere. |
| 7 | Mercury at Greatest Evening Elongation (19°). | |
| February | ||
| 16 | Mercury at Greatest Morning Elongation (27°). This elongation is unfavorable in the northern hemisphere. | |
| March | ||
| 20 | Venus at Greatest Morning Elongation (47°). | |
| April | ||
| 29 | Mercury at Greatest Evening Elongation (21°), a good opportunity for northern hemisphere observers to see Mercury. | |
| 29 | Mercury is within 1.5° of the center of the Pleaides, down low in the evening twilight. Use binoculars! | |
| 30 | 21 H | 64% Partial Solar Eclipse, glimpsed at sunset in southern South America. |
| May | ||
| 16 | 04 H | Total Lunar Eclipse, best seen in the US, eastern Canada, Latin America, southwestern Europe, and west Africa. |
| 27 | 03 H | Venus occulted by the Moon (a daytime event, visible in southeast Asia). |
| June | ||
| 16 | Mercury at Greatest Morning Elongation (23°) | |
| August | ||
| Follow Asteroid Vesta (mag. 5.8) this month around opposition in Aquarius on the 23rd, less than 2° from the Helix Nebula. | ||
| 13 | 01 H | Perseid Meteor Shower. The Full Moon badly diminishes the viewing. |
| 14 | Saturn at Opposition (mag. 0.3), in Capricornus. The rings are open 14° to us (we see their north side). | |
| 27 | Mercury at Greatest Evening Elongation (27°). This elongation is very unfavorable for northern observers. | |
| September | ||
| 16 | Neptune at Opposition (mag. 7.8, in Aquarius). | |
| 26 | Jupiter at Opposition (mag. -2.9), in Pisces. | |
| October | ||
| 8 | Mercury at Greatest Morning Elongation (18°). | |
| 25 | 11 H | 86% Partial Solar Eclipse, visible in Europe, the Middle East, and west Asia. |
| November | ||
| Uranus reaches Opposition on the 9th (mag. 5.6, in Aries). It’s easy in binoculars and visible with the naked eye in dark skies, but the Moon is full on the 8th so wait a week or so after that until it’s out of the way. | ||
| 8 | 11 H | Total Lunar Eclipse, visible in North America, east Asia, the Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand. |
| December | ||
| 8 | 04 H | Mars occulted by the Moon. Best seen in western Europe, Canada, and in the US (all but the southeast). |
| 8 | Mars at Opposition (mag. -1.9, in Taurus). Not very large (only 17” across), but well placed for northern observers. | |
| 14 | 13 H | Geminid Meteor Shower. The peak favors areas near the Pacific. The Moon (6 days past full) will interfere. |
| 21 | Mercury at Greatest Evening Elongation (20°). | |
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