Astronomical Events to Look Forward to in 2022
So, what’s the big deal? The first few weeks after launch, the JWST observatory was a flurry of activity as it unfolded its Sun shields, primary mirror segments, secondary mirror arm, and all the rest. If everything goes as planned, JWST will be fully deployed and orbitally inserted into its “parking spot” at Lagrange 2 around the Launch + 29 days mark. The next few months will be dedicated to cooling the telescope down to operating temperatures, aligning the optics, and calibrating the science instruments. First light, images, and science observations should commence at some point in the summer of 2022.
How do I see it?
https://webb.nasa.gov/content/webbLaunch/deploymentExplorer.html
Figure 2: stock image
March 16 - Triple Conjunction of Mars, Venus, and Saturn
So, what’s the big deal? This conjunction will be a nice chance to spice up some of your nightscape images or a nice visual target for observers.
How do I see it? The three planets will be visible in Capricorn under the spring Milky Way before sunrise after about 5:40AM PST with Jupiter and Mercury following along an hour later.
Recommended Equipment: Star Adventurer 2i, SAM
Early, Mid, and Late 2022 – SpaceX - Falcon Heavy Launches
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
So, what’s the big deal? One of these launches is for the US Space Force to deliver two spacecraft payloads to geosynchronous orbit, but the cool part is that being a SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch, we will see a simultaneous landing of TWO first stage side-booster rockets on drone ships off the coast of Florida. Also, one of these launches will carry the Psyche space probe on a Discovery class mission to explore the massive metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche.
How do I see it? Head down to Kennedy Space Center in Florida or watch live.
Figure 3 Image Credit: NASA
NET March 12 – NASA - Space Launch System - Artemis 1
Launch site: LC-39B, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
So, what’s the big deal? The SLS rocket has been plagued by budget overruns, delays, and - to many - the program is a paragon of government contractor bloat and inefficiency. SLS was created in the wake of the cancellation of the Constellation and Space Shuttle programs in 2011 and is offered up as a heavy lift vehicle that will provide the boost to the Moon for NASA’s Artemis mission returning humans to the lunar surface. This will be the first launch of the Artemis mission. It will be an uncrewed launch to lunar orbit and back to test the SLS rocket and Orion capsule and will surely be drawing a lot of hope, attention, and controversy.
How do I see it? Head on down to Florida or watch online.
https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-1
April 15 – SpaceX - Falcon 9 - Crew 4
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
So, what’s the big deal? Every crewed launch is a big deal. This will be SpaceX’s 7th crewed flight and will deliver two NASA astronauts, an ESA astronaut, and a fourth crew member to be named later to the International Space Station.
How do I see it? Head down to Florida or watch it online.
April 30th - “Black Moon”
So, what’s the big deal? And what the heck is a Black Moon anyways? A Blue Moon is when we get two FULL Moons in one month. The Moon doesn’t appear blue, it’s just a phrase. Similarly, a Black Moon is when we get two NEW Moons in one month.
How do I see it? You don’t. The new Moon is too close to the Sun to see visually, and all the sunlight is falling on the far side of the Moon. The good news is that we get TWO new Moon weekends this month so more time for observing and imaging without the main source of light pollution in the night sky.
Recommended Equipment: Any and all. Bring out the big guns. Image all night both nights!
April 30 – Close Approach of Mercury with the Pleiades and Comet PANSTARRS plus Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter in AM
So, what’s the big deal? Another interesting alignment of solar system and deep space objects reminiscent of 2020’S pairing of Venus with the Pleaides. This is also Mercury’s greatest eastern elongation from the Sun and the best time to observe or image the planet.
How do I see it? Look to Taurus in the west about a half hour after sunset. Catch Venus and Jupiter just before sunrise.
Recommended Equipment: Star Adventurer 2i, SAM, Skymax OTAs if you want to push the focal length
Figure 4 Image Credit: NASA
Early 2022 – SpaceX - Starship Orbital Test Flight
Launch site: Starbase, Boca Chica Beach, Texas
So, what’s the big deal? Totally not a big deal. It’s just the largest, most powerful rocket ever built that will carry humans to the Moon, Mars, and beyond and may even completely disrupt the commercial airline industry. For the gear heads, you can watch the construction and testing of the launch complex and rockets in somewhat full view of the public.
How do I see it? Head down to Boca Chica Beach, TX, or watch online.
May 6, 7 – Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower
So, what’s the big deal? The Aquarids are dust particles left over from Halley’s comet. They are an above average meteor shower, especially for the Southern Hemisphere, with about 30 meteors per hour in the north. A waxing crescent Moon will set early in the evening leaving the later hours open for prime viewing.
How do I see it? Radiant in Aquarius. Head out to a dark sky location (the darker the better) around midnight on the night of the 6th and plan to hang out for a couple hours. Let your eyes dark adapt and use night mode for any screens for at least a half hour beforehand for best results.
Recommended Equipment: Star Adventurer 2i, SAM
Figure 5: stock image
May 15/16 - Total Lunar Eclipse
So, what’s the big deal? During this alignment, as the Sun’s light passes through Earth’s atmosphere, 360° of our collective sunrises and sunsets will be cast on to the face of the Moon turning it a deep orange or “blood red” hue for about an hour and a half at maximum eclipse. If you know any flat Earthers this would be a good time to point out Earth’s curved shadow on the Moon during the umbral phase. Also of note: On the West Coast of the US the eclipse will just be beginning while the Moon is still on the horizon.
How do I see it? Visible in N. America, Greenland, W. Europe, and W. Africa. Check your local times. https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEplot/LEplot2001/LE2022May16T.pdf
Recommended Equipment: Any Sky-Watcher OTAs will yield splendid views, Skymax OTAs for the longer focal length
August 14 – Saturn at Opposition
So, what’s the big deal? The best time all year to observe or image the ringed planet.
How do I see it? Saturn will be in Capricorn at opposition.
Recommended Equipment: Any Sky-Watcher OTAs will yield splendid views, Skymax OTAs for the longer focal length
September 26 – Jupiter at Opposition
So, what’s the big deal? The best time all year to observe or image the largest planet in the solar system.
How do I see it? Jupiter will be in Pisces at opposition.
Recommended Equipment: Any Sky-Watcher OTAs will yield splendid views, Skymax OTAs for the longer focal length
Figure 6 Image Credit: NASA APOD
October 21,22 – Orionids Meteor Shower
So, what’s the big deal? Another Halley’s Comet meteor shower topping out at around 20 meteors per hour, but the thin crescent Moon should make for a good show.
How do I see it? Radiant in Orion. Head out to a dark sky location (the darker the better) around midnight on the night of the 21st and plan to hang out for a couple hours. Let your eyes dark adapt and use night mode for any screens for at least a half hour beforehand for best results.
Recommended Equipment: Star Adventurer 2i, SAM
November 8 - Total Lunar Eclipse
So, what’s the big deal?
How do I see it? Visible throughout eastern Russia, Japan, Australian, and parts of western and central N. America. Check your local times. https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEplot/LEplot2001/LE2022Nov08T.pdf
Recommended Equipment: Any Sky-Watcher OTAs will yield splendid views, Skymax OTAs for the longer focal length
December 8 – Mars at Opposition
So, what’s the big deal? The best time all year to observe or image the red planet, though it will be in conjunction with the full Moon.
How do I see it? Mars will be in Taurus at opposition.
Recommended Equipment: Any Sky-Watcher OTAs will yield splendid views, Skymax OTAs for the longer focal length
December 13, 14 - Geminids Meteor Shower
So, what’s the big deal? The king of the meteor showers. Up to 120 multicolored meteors per hour at its peak. Leftover from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. The waning gibbous Moon will hamper your views of the fainter meteors.
How do I see it? Radiant in Gemini. Head out to a dark sky location (the darker the better) around midnight on the night of the 13th and plan to hang out for a couple hours. Let your eyes dark adapt and use night mode for any screens for at least a half hour beforehand for best results.
Recommended Equipment: Star Adventurer 2i, SAM
TBD - NASA - Atlas 5 - Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
So, what’s the big deal? ULA will launch this NASA crewed spacecraft to the International Space Station on its maiden voyage.
How do I see it? You may as well move to Florida if you’re this into rocket launches. Or just watch it live at NASA Spaceflight on YouTube.
*NET means “no earlier than”
*All dates and times for North America, Pacific Standard Time
*For more information and a complete list of celestial events visit http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2022.html
*For more information and a complete (and updated) list of launches visit https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/