The Next 100 Years of Astronomical Events

Summary

In this video, astrophotographer Nico Carver shares his excitement for upcoming astronomical events over the next century. From the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, which will be visible later this year, to the rare total solar eclipses of 2026 and 2027, he highlights events worth witnessing. The script also covers Apophis’ close pass in 2029, the return of Hal’s comet in 2061, and rare planetary occultations. Nico encourages viewers to explore the night sky through both upcoming rare phenomena and regular astrophotography opportunities, offering further tips and support through his Patreon.

Takeaways

• 😀 A rare interstellar comet, 3I/ATLAS, is expected to be visible later this year, providing an exciting opportunity for astrophotographers.
• 🌠 3I/ATLAS will be brightest in late October 2025, but the best time to photograph it will be around November 20, 2025, during the new moon.
• 🌑 The 2026 total solar eclipse will be visible in several locations, including a boat in the North Atlantic Ocean, Spain, and Iceland.
• 🌞 The 2027 total solar eclipse will be the longest of the century, lasting 6 minutes 23 seconds, visible from Egypt, southern Spain, and other regions.
• 🌍 The August 2028 total solar eclipse will be visible from Australia and New Zealand, with clear skies likely, especially in Sydney.
• 🪐 In 2029, the asteroid Apophis will pass closer to Earth than our geostationary satellites, but it will not pose a threat.
• 🌠 In 2034 and 2035, the Leonids meteor shower may have outbursts, producing hundreds of meteors per hour, much more than the typical 15 per hour.
• 🌌 Halley's Comet will return in 2061, offering a much better viewing opportunity than in 1986, with a long history of observations dating back to 240 BC.
• 🔭 In 2079, Mercury will occult Mars, visible from parts of the Middle East, and a telescope will be needed to fully view the event.
• 🌞 In 2123, Venus will occult Jupiter, visible during the day in parts of North and South America, with a 15-minute event duration for observers.
• 🎥 The presenter encourages viewers to visit their Patreon for more astronomy content, including monthly bonus videos, live events, and exclusive perks.

Q & A

What makes comet 3I/ATLAS special compared to other comets?

Comet 3I/ATLAS is an interstellar comet, meaning it came from another star system, which makes it unique. It's the third such object discovered, and it was found earlier than the first two interstellar comets, allowing more time for astronomers to study and photograph it.

When is the best time to photograph comet 3I/ATLAS in 2025?

The best time to photograph comet 3I/ATLAS in 2025 will be around the early mornings of November 20th, coinciding with the new moon. This is when the comet will be most visible, rising around 2:30 a.m. in New Hampshire, and should be bright enough to be photographed with amateur equipment.

Where will the 2026 total solar eclipse be visible, and how long will totality last?

The 2026 total solar eclipse will be visible across parts of the North Atlantic Ocean, Spain, and Iceland. In Iceland, the totality will last for a maximum of 2 minutes and 18 seconds.

What is the significance of the total solar eclipse in 2027?

The 2027 total solar eclipse will be the longest of the century, with totality lasting up to 6 minutes and 23 seconds in the optimal viewing location, Luxor, Egypt. The eclipse will also be visible across parts of southern Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.

What makes the August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse special for astronomers?

The August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse is special because it offers the rare opportunity to view totality from a boat in the North Atlantic, providing a unique vantage point. It's also notable for being the first total solar eclipse after the one on April 8, 2024.

What is the significance of the 2029 asteroid Apophis close pass?

The close pass of asteroid Apophis on April 13, 2029, will be significant because it will be the closest known approach of a 'city killer' asteroid. Although it won't impact Earth, it will come closer than geostationary satellites, making it an exciting event to observe, though it will appear similar to a satellite through a telescope.

What was the historical significance of the 1833 Leonids meteor shower?

The 1833 Leonids meteor shower is historically significant because it produced an extraordinary meteor storm, with an estimated 100,000 meteors per hour seen in North America. This event remains one of the most spectacular meteor showers ever recorded.

How likely is it that the Leonids meteor showers of 2034 and 2035 will produce a meteor storm?

While there is a possibility of meteor storms during the 2034 and 2035 Leonids meteor showers, they are unlikely to reach the intensity of the 1833 storm. However, even a few hundred meteors per hour would still be an impressive sight.

What makes Halley's Comet's 2061 return special?

Halley's Comet's return in 2061 is special because its orbit brings it close to Earth approximately every 75 years. The 2061 pass will be on the same side of the sun as Earth, offering a much better view compared to the 1986 pass when it was obscured by the sun.

What is a planetary occultation, and why are the 2079 and 2123 events notable?

A planetary occultation occurs when one planet passes in front of another, from our perspective on Earth. The 2079 event, where Mercury will completely cover Mars, will be visible over the Middle East and will last about 2.5 minutes. The 2123 event will feature Venus crossing in front of Jupiter, visible across North and South America, making it a unique daytime event for observers.