Every year, anything from dazzling meteor showers to bright, full moons reliably give stargazers plenty of reasons to regularly look up at the cosmos.
But in 2024, observers were treated to their fair share of celestial shows that were anything but ordinary. This year was one filled with astral displays that defied expectations and filled us here on Earth with a sense of wonder and awe about the universe that surrounds us.
And thanks to the power of modern cell phones, that cosmic majesty is becoming easier to see and appreciate – even for those unable to witness the sights in person.
Here’s a recap of some of the most notable celestial events of the year, from the total solar eclipse to the proliferating northern lights.
Total solar eclipse dazzles millions across North America
When you think about celestial events in 2024, no other cosmic display will come as close to defining the year as the total solar eclipse.
The eclipse, a once-in-a-lifetime event, completely put to shame its North American predecessor from 2017 when it charted a 115-mile-wide path across Mexico, the United States and Canada.
Why? The sun’s outermost layer, the elusive corona, was brighter, the moon appeared larger and the uncharacteristic darkness known as totality lasted just a bit longer. What’s more, millions of spectators in 13 states had a front row seat to witness the eclipse’s majesty.
Few celestial events have the ability to capture our collective attention. But for a few brief minutes when totality reached various cities across the U.S., schools let out, work came to a pause and people across the nation took a moment to take in the sight.
The awe-inspiring spectacle is a rarity – and will become even more so in the years ahead. While only seven years passed between total solar eclipses in North America, the next one visible in the continent won’t be until 2044.
‘Devil Comet’ makes itself visible to naked eye
The total solar eclipse is a tough act to follow, but later in the same month, the recognizable “devil comet” did its best.
The horned comet with a demonic nickname made itself visible in April to ground observers without telescopes.
The famed “devil comet,” officially known as 12P/Pons-Brooks, on April 21 made it closest approach to the sun in its 71-year orbit of the massive star.
Earning its nickname from its distinctive tail that resembles horns, the comet has also been likened to the Millennium Falcon spaceship from “Star Wars.” While “the Devil Comet” is typically visible to only those with the strongest of telescopes, on the day it’s closest to the sun, its brightness increased so much that astronomers predicted it would be visible to the naked eye.
Harvest supermoon combines with partial lunar eclipse
A spectacular lunar event dazzled skygazers Sept. 17 across the United States and the entire Northern Hemisphere.
The Harvest Moon, which has inspired no shortage of cultural touchstones – from a Nintendo game to Neil Young’s Billboard hit – occurs annually around the start of fall at a time when Earth’s only natural satellite is especially close to our planet. But this year’s full Harvest Moon, which also just so happened to be an exceptionally large and bright supermoon, another phenomenon occurred: a partial lunar eclipse.
On that night, the orange-hued Harvest supermoon rose in the sky at a time when Earth’s only natural satellite was unusually close to our planet on its elliptical orbit. Then, hours later, the moon was partly covered by Earth’s shadow as our planet moved between it and the sun.
Striking images from across the world captured the spectacular sight, including not only the Harvest supermoon, but also the moment when the partial lunar eclipse occurred.
Northern lights activity on rise amid solar maximum
The aurora borealis, a natural light display in Earth’s sky famously best seen near our planet’s poles, spent 2024 cropping up in a wider swath of the northern hemisphere.
The phenomenon, better known as the northern lights, surfaced with increased frequency amid the approach of the solar maximum.
That was most evident in May when a powerful geomagnetic storm unleashed spectacular views of the northern lights in parts of the country where auroras are not often visible. On the downside, that solar storm was also responsible for some reports of power grid irregularities and interference with GPS signals – even farming equipment.
That particular storm watch was the first NOAA released in 19 years for a geomagnetic storm classified as a G4 – a single level away from being the most severe solar storm possible. Amid the solar activity, the sun even emitted an explosive burst of radiation that became the largest solar flare detected since 2017, according to the NOAA.
The auroras were also notably visible again in August during the Perseids, considered among astronomers to be the best meteor shower of the year.
Then in October, Americans from the northern U.S. and even as far south as Alabama once again had a chance to witness the striking rays, spirals and flickers of the northern lights, which was amplified when a solar coronal mass ejection of plasma clouds and charged particles drove a geomagnetic storm toward Earth. The storm was so strong that it prompted NOAA to issue another rare G4 geomagnetic storm watch.
Now that the sun is officially at the height of its 11-year cycle, the increase in solar activity will more frequently fuel “space weather” that produces the right conditions for northern lights to flourish.
That means, in the months ahead, the famed celestial display could be coming to a sky near you – if it hasn’t already.
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com
