News

Actions

The next supermoon, meteor showers are right around the corner

Posted at 2:43 PM, Sep 29, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-29 14:51:17-04

There are three months left in the year, and four more big astronomical spectacles in the night sky:
• Two meteor showers
• Two planets will be more clearly visible in the sky
• A supermoon

The annual Orionid Meteor Shower lights up the sky every October, and this year it peaks Oct. 20 and 21 under a new moon, allowing for optimal dark conditions.

The Orionids typically produce between 10 and 20 meteors every hour.

On Nov. 13, Jupiter and Venus will appear very close to one another in the night sky.

This phenomenon is called the Venus-Jupiter conjunction. They'll appear so close in the sky they may look like a single star.

RELATED: Storm Shield app provides life-saving weather alerts

In early December, everyone will be able to experience the only supermoon of the year.

The full moon will be at its closest Dec. 3, and it will appear slightly larger and brighter than normal.

And the final astronomical show will arrive on Dec. 13 and 14 with the peak of the Geminid Meteor Shower.

Many astronomers agree this is one of the best meteor showers of the year with a possible 120 meteors an hour in ideal conditions.

The biggest spectacle in space this year was arguably the total solar eclipse in August, but there are plenty more reasons to look to the heavens left this year.

Follow Storm Shield Meteorologist Jason Meyersvia the Storm Shield appon Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Download the Storm Shield Weather Radio App for your iPhone or Android device and get severe weather alerts wherever you are. Named by Time.com one of the best weather apps for your iPhone.