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28-04-2025
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Where can you see Eta Aquarids meteor shower? What to know in Michigan
Michigan stargazers will soon get the chance to glimpse spring's next meteor shower, the Eta Aquarids. The Eta Aquarids meteor shower will peak May 5-6, according to NASA. The annual shower can bring fast meteors, with up to 50 per hour during the peak. Spring's previous meteor shower, the Lyrids, peaked in late April. Here's what to know. The Eta Aquarids, or Eta Aquariids, is an annual shower of meteors shooting through the night sky as they come into Earth's atmosphere, per NASA. The meteors appear in the area of the constellation Aquarius in the sky. The Eta Aquarid runs April 20 to May 21, NASA says. The meteor shower will peak May 5-6. Look for a clear, open area to view the meteors in Michigan's skies. Keep an eye on the weather forecast closer to the peak to find out local viewing chances. Michigan is home to six dark sky state parks, three international dark sky parks and an international dark sky sanctuary. The Alpena area has three Dark Sky Preserves: Rockport State Recreation Area, Thompson's Harbor State Park and Negwegon State Park. In Mackinaw City, Headlands International Dark Sky Park. In Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. In Munising, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. In Paradise, the Great Lakes Museum and Whitefish Point Light Station and Tahquamenon Falls State Park. In Port Austin, Port Crescent State Park. In Clayton, Lake Hudson Recreation Area. In Carp Lake, Wilderness State Park. Keweenaw Dark Sky Park in Keweenaw County and Dr. T.K. Lawless Park in Cass County are international spots. And, finally, the Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area is an international sanctuary. The Eta Aquarids can be viewed during the pre-dawn hours, NASA said. While viewing chances will be better in the southern hemisphere, Michigan viewers could glimpse "earthgrazers," long meteors near the horizon. Bill Cooke, the lead for the Meteoroid Environment Office at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, suggested viewing the meteors from 2 a.m. until dawn, per "The Etas are not a shower that you can go out to see after sunset because the radiant won't be up," Cooke wrote. Here are some general viewing tips from the space agency: Find an area well away from street lights and the light pollution of cities. Come prepared with a sleeping bag, blanket or lawn chair. Lie flat on your back with your feet facing the east and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible. It should take less than 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt so that you can see streaking meteors. But be patient, NASA warns: the show will last until dawn. Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through dusty debris trails left by comets and broken asteroid bits as they orbit the sun, NASA says. The debris collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky. The Eta Aquarids debris comes from comet 1P/Halley, named for English astronomer Edmond Halley, who discovered it in 1705, NASA said. The comet is expected to next enter the inner solar system in 2061, as it takes 76 years to orbit the sun. The Delta Aquariid meteor shower is set to peak July 30, 2025, per Those are words that sound similar, but there are important differences. More: April's Pink Moon is waning. When is the next full moon over Michigan? Meteoroid: A body in space. Asteroids are larger rocks in space, but there's no official distinction. Meteor: A body passing through the atmosphere. If the meteor is large enough to show some dimensions or sparks, it's often called a fireball. Meteorite: A meteor that survives the fall to the Earth's surface. Meteor shower: When we see a lot of meteors streaking across the sky in a small amount of time, usually a matter of a few days. More: Bird migration map 2025: How to track their journey to Michigan The next full moon, May's Flower Moon, will peak in mid-May. Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Eta Aqaurids meteor shower: When to see it in Michigan
Yahoo
13-03-2025
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The moon will turn dark red Thursday night: How to see the lunar eclipse in Michigan
Michigan sky gazers, get ready for a special sight with a total lunar eclipse late Thursday. The eclipse will occur during March's full moon — happening overnight Thursday and early Friday morning — creating a red "blood moon" visible in Michigan skies, according to NASA. "In a total lunar eclipse, the entire moon falls within the darkest part of Earth's shadow, called the umbra. When the moon is within the umbra, it appears red-orange. Lunar eclipses are sometimes called 'blood moons' because of this phenomenon," Caela Barry wrote for NASA. Here's what to know. The total lunar eclipse will occur overnight from March 13 to early March 14, 2025, depending upon which time zone you are in. In Michigan, the lunar eclipse will begin at 11:57 p.m. on March 13, reach its maximum at 2:58 a.m., and end at 6 a.m., according to You can expect the moon to take on a dramatic shade of red or orange in the night sky during the total lunar eclipse because of how sunlight strikes the moon's surface after passing through the atmosphere, NASA said. As the moon is covered by the inner part of Earth's shadow during the eclipse, sunlight not blocked by Earth is filtered through a thick slice of Earth's atmosphere before reaching the moon's surface, per NASA. Colors with shorter wavelengths, such as blues and violets, scatter more easily than colors with longer wavelengths, which include red and orange. A total lunar eclipse when the sun, Earth and moon align so the moon is covered by the Earth's shadow, or umbra, NASA said. You can view the eclipse with the naked eye or using binoculars or a telescope, the NWS says. For the best viewing chances, head to an open area away from urban light pollution, experts advise. Michigan is home to six dark sky state parks, three international dark sky parks and an international dark sky sanctuary. The Alpena area has three Dark Sky Preserves: Rockport State Recreation Area, Thompson's Harbor State Park and Negwegon State Park. In Mackinac City, Headlands International Dark Sky Park, 15675 Headlands Road. In Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 9922 Front St. In Munising, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. In Paradise, the Great Lakes Museum and Whitefish Point Light Station, 18335 N. Whitefish Point Road, and Tahquamenon Falls State Park at 41382 W. M-123. In Port Austin, Port Crescent State Park, 1775 Port Austin Road. In Clayton, Lake Hudson Recreation Area, 5505 Morey Highway. In Carp Lake, Wilderness State Park, 903 Wilderness Park Drive. Keweenaw Dark Sky Park in Keweenaw County and Dr. T.K. Lawless Park in Cass County are international spots. And, finally, the Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area is an international sanctuary. Keep an eye on the weather forecast closer to the event as well, as a clear night sky will be optimal for taking in the eclipse. March's full moon, the Worm Moon, will reach peak illumination at 2:55 a.m. March 14. No, the March full moon is not a supermoon. The Lyrids meteor shower will peak April 21-22, 2025. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: When is the lunar eclipse? How to see the full moon turn red
Yahoo
10-03-2025
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The moon will turn dark red this week: How to see the lunar eclipse in Michigan
Michigan sky gazers, get ready for a special sight with a total lunar eclipse coming this week. The eclipse will occur during March's full moon, creating a red "blood moon" visible in Michigan skies, according to NASA. "In a total lunar eclipse, the entire moon falls within the darkest part of Earth's shadow, called the umbra. When the moon is within the umbra, it appears red-orange. Lunar eclipses are sometimes called 'blood moons' because of this phenomenon," Caela Barry wrote for NASA. Here's what to know. The total lunar eclipse will occur overnight from March 13 to early March 14, 2025, depending upon which time zone you are in. In Michigan, the lunar eclipse will begin at 11:57 p.m. on March 13, reach its maximum at 2:58 a.m., and end at 6 a.m., according to You can expect the moon to take on a dramatic shade of red or orange in the night sky during the total lunar eclipse because of how sunlight strikes the moon's surface after passing through the atmosphere, NASA said. As the moon is covered by the inner part of Earth's shadow during the eclipse, sunlight not blocked by Earth is filtered through a thick slice of Earth's atmosphere before reaching the moon's surface, per NASA. Colors with shorter wavelengths, such as blues and violets, scatter more easily than colors with longer wavelengths, which include red and orange. A total lunar eclipse when the sun, Earth and moon align so the moon is covered by the Earth's shadow, or umbra, NASA said. You can view the eclipse with the naked eye or using binoculars or a telescope, the NWS says. For the best viewing chances, head to an open area away from urban light pollution, experts advise. Michigan is home to six dark sky state parks, three international dark sky parks and an international dark sky sanctuary. The Alpena area has three Dark Sky Preserves: Rockport State Recreation Area, Thompson's Harbor State Park and Negwegon State Park. In Mackinac City, Headlands International Dark Sky Park, 15675 Headlands Road. In Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 9922 Front St. In Munising, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. In Paradise, the Great Lakes Museum and Whitefish Point Light Station, 18335 N. Whitefish Point Road, and Tahquamenon Falls State Park at 41382 W. M-123. In Port Austin, Port Crescent State Park, 1775 Port Austin Road. In Clayton, Lake Hudson Recreation Area, 5505 Morey Highway. In Carp Lake, Wilderness State Park, 903 Wilderness Park Drive. Keweenaw Dark Sky Park in Keweenaw County and Dr. T.K. Lawless Park in Cass County are international spots. And, finally, the Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area is an international sanctuary. Keep an eye on the weather forecast closer to the event as well, as a clear night sky will be optimal for taking in the eclipse. March's full moon, the Worm Moon, will reach peak illumination at 2:55 a.m. March 14. No, the March full moon is not a supermoon. The Lyrids meteor shower will peak April 21-22, 2025. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: When is the lunar eclipse? How to see the full moon turn red
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Science
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The moon will turn dark red this week: How to see the lunar eclipse in Michigan
Michigan sky gazers, get ready for a special sight with a total lunar eclipse coming this week. The eclipse will occur during March's full moon, creating a red "blood moon" visible in Michigan skies, according to NASA. "In a total lunar eclipse, the entire moon falls within the darkest part of Earth's shadow, called the umbra. When the moon is within the umbra, it appears red-orange. Lunar eclipses are sometimes called 'blood moons' because of this phenomenon," Caela Barry wrote for NASA. Here's what to know. The total lunar eclipse will occur overnight from March 13 to early March 14, 2025, depending upon which time zone you are in. In Michigan, the lunar eclipse will begin at 11:57 p.m. on March 13, reach its maximum at 2:58 a.m., and end at 6 a.m., according to You can expect the moon to take on a dramatic shade of red or orange in the night sky during the total lunar eclipse because of how sunlight strikes the moon's surface after passing through the atmosphere, NASA said. As the moon is covered by the inner part of Earth's shadow during the eclipse, sunlight not blocked by Earth is filtered through a thick slice of Earth's atmosphere before reaching the moon's surface, per NASA. Colors with shorter wavelengths, such as blues and violets, scatter more easily than colors with longer wavelengths, which include red and orange. A total lunar eclipse when the sun, Earth and moon align so the moon is covered by the Earth's shadow, or umbra, NASA said. You can view the eclipse with the naked eye or using binoculars or a telescope, the NWS says. For the best viewing chances, head to an open area away from urban light pollution, experts advise. Michigan is home to six dark sky state parks, three international dark sky parks and an international dark sky sanctuary. The Alpena area has three Dark Sky Preserves: Rockport State Recreation Area, Thompson's Harbor State Park and Negwegon State Park. In Mackinac City, Headlands International Dark Sky Park, 15675 Headlands Road. In Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 9922 Front St. In Munising, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. In Paradise, the Great Lakes Museum and Whitefish Point Light Station, 18335 N. Whitefish Point Road, and Tahquamenon Falls State Park at 41382 W. M-123. In Port Austin, Port Crescent State Park, 1775 Port Austin Road. In Clayton, Lake Hudson Recreation Area, 5505 Morey Highway. In Carp Lake, Wilderness State Park, 903 Wilderness Park Drive. Keweenaw Dark Sky Park in Keweenaw County and Dr. T.K. Lawless Park in Cass County are international spots. And, finally, the Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area is an international sanctuary. Keep an eye on the weather forecast closer to the event as well, as a clear night sky will be optimal for taking in the eclipse. March's full moon, the Worm Moon, will reach peak illumination at 2:55 a.m. March 14. No, the March full moon is not a supermoon. The Lyrids meteor shower will peak April 21-22, 2025. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: When is the lunar eclipse? How to see the full moon turn red
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Planet parade to dance across the sky Friday night: How to see it
Look up in Michigan's night sky Friday night to catch a rare seven-planet parade. The planets will appear to line up in the sky as they orbit the sun, known as a planetary alignment or planet parade, according to NASA. "While they aren't once-in-a-lifetime events, planetary parades afford an uncommon opportunity to look up and appreciate our place in our solar system," public engagement specialist Preston Dyches wrote for NASA, "with diverse worlds arrayed across the sky before our very eyes." Here's what to know. The seven-planet alignment will take place Friday just after sunset. Planet parades are observable during twilight, so a bright sky does not obscure the view. Seven planets in our solar system — Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Mercury and Neptune — will align in the night sky, according to Science Alert. The planets will appear in a line or arc from east to west, NASA said. "Astronomical events like the planetary alignment provide people the opportunity to think more deeply about the universe around them. Fueling this curiosity directly leads to a better understanding of scientific concepts," said Joey Rodriguez, assistant professor in the physics and astronomy department at Michigan State University, in a statement. Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will be easily visible in the night sky, according to Star Walk. Uranus and Neptune will also be around, but they won't be appearing as bright and will require a telescope to see, according to NASA. Mars will appear above the southern horizon in the Gemini constellation. Jupiter will appear in the Taurus constellation, Uranus in the Aries constellation, Venus and Neptune in the Pisces constellation, and Mercury and Saturn in the Aquarius constellation, Star Walk said. The four-planet lineup that began in January concludes this month as Saturn sinks increasingly lower in the sky each night after sunset, according to NASA. While Mercury will briefly join Saturn in the post-sunset glow, both planets will be too low and faint for most observers to spot. For the best viewing chances, head to an open area away from urban light pollution, experts advise. Michigan is home to six dark sky state parks, three international dark sky parks and an international dark sky sanctuary. The Alpena area has three Dark Sky Preserves: Rockport State Recreation Area, Thompson's Harbor State Park and Negwegon State Park. In Mackinaw City, Headlands International Dark Sky Park, 15675 Headlands Road. In Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 9922 Front St. In Munising, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. In Paradise, the Great Lakes Museum and Whitefish Point Light Station, 18335 N. Whitefish Point Road, and Tahquamenon Falls State Park at 41382 W. M-123. In Port Austin, Port Crescent State Park, 1775 Port Austin Road. In Clayton, Lake Hudson Recreation Area, 5505 Morey Highway. In Carp Lake, Wilderness State Park, 903 Wilderness Park Drive. Keweenaw Dark Sky Park in Keweenaw County and Dr. T.K. Lawless Park in Cass County are international spots. And, finally, the Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area is an international sanctuary. Keep an eye on the weather forecast ahead of the event, as a clear night sky will be optimal for taking in the rare alignment. Stargazers have one more opportunity in 2025 to catch a multi-planet lineup, according to NASA, when four planets become visible before sunrise in late August. USA TODAY and the Lansing State Journal contributed. Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: When is the planet parade 2025? How to see all 7 planets
