Space calendar 2025: When to look up at the night sky
LOS ANGELES - Stargazers across the United States will have numerous chances to witness celestial spectacles in 2025, with events ranging from meteor showers to planet alignments filling the calendar.
North American viewers secured front row seats for one of the most dramatic shows - a total lunar eclipse visible across the continent in March. This marks one of several astronomical events experts highlighted for the upcoming year.
Major sky events of 2025
The year kicks off with the Quadrantid meteor shower on January 3, offering prime viewing conditions under a crescent moon. Mars reaches its brightest point two weeks later, making the red planet an easy target for backyard stargazers.
A total lunar eclipse takes center stage March 14, visible across North America. The moon will darken and take on a reddish hue as Earth's shadow passes across its surface.
Major meteor showers in 2025:
- Lyrids peak April 22
- Perseids light up August 12
- Geminids close out the year on December 14
Regional viewing opportunities
West Coast viewers see the clearest views of the March lunar eclipse in the early evening hours. East Coast observers catch peak viewing around midnight.
Northern states get extended meteor shower viewing times during the summer months due to shorter nights. Southern states often experience clearer viewing conditions during winter events.
Planet spotting guide
Venus shines brightest on February 16, visible in the western sky after sunset. Saturn's rings appear to vanish from Earth's perspective between March and November as they align edge-on with our planet.
Jupiter's moon Europa takes focus as NASA's Europa Clipper mission makes a Mars flyby March 1 on its journey to study the icy moon.