Major skywatching events in 2004-2005

Public interest in viewing the night sky is at historically high levels, a phenomenon no doubt fueled by the nearness of Mars in 2003 and other easily viewed astronomical events in recent years. Meteorologists serving as “station scientists” can benefit from having timely, dependable sources of background information about upcoming celestial events. Almanacs frequently note the dates and times, but they rarely describe an event’s appearance or how to prepare audiences to view it.

Among the noteworthy “sky sights” during the coming year are a potentially active Perseid meteor shower on the night of August 11th, a total lunar eclipse on the night of October 27th, and a rare annular-total eclipse of the Sun on April 8, 2005 (visible as a partial eclipse in the southern U.S.).