The changing of the year marks the start of another season for stargazing and meteor hunting as astronomers and other space experts have unveiled the latest calendar of upcoming celestial events for 2016.
From meteor showers to solar and lunar eclipses, the new year is set to be filled with astronomical displays that will excite fans in different parts of the world.
Meteor Showers
Quadrantid Meteor Shower
2016 kicks off with a celestial spectacle as the Quadrantid meteor shower is set to occur from Jan. 3 to Jan. 4. The event is highlighted by the transit of as many as 40 meteors per hour coming from the region of the Boötes Constellation.
Meteor hunters and stargazers may have to be patient in their pursuit of the Quadrantids though as the brightness of the moon's second quarter could make it difficult to spot the transiting space rocks.
Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower
Similar to the transit of the Quadrantid meteors earlier in the year, the moon's brightness may obscure the view of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower. Astronomers, however, predict that once the new moon sets in on May 6, the evening skies would become dark enough to see the passing of these remnants of Halley's Comet.
People can expect to see as many as 30 meteors per hour in the Northern Hemisphere and around 60 meteors per hour in the Southern Hemisphere.
Perseid Meteor Shower
Arguably one of the most popular celestial events every summer, this year's transit of the Perseids from Aug. 12 to Aug. 13 is expected to be more visibly seen than 2015's meteor shower as the skies will likely be darker once the moon sets sometime around midnight.
The conditions of the Perseid meteor shower provide a good opportunity for campers to witness the passing of as many as 60 meteors per hour across the summer sky.
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