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Stargazing Calendar

Grab a blanket and head outside after dark.

See how many planets and stars you can find.

  • Turn off the outdoor lights.
  • Bring a friend.

You’ll love watching these cool night sky events in 2023!

 

Dark Sky Calendar 2023

  • January 3 – Quadrantids Meteor Shower
    Up to 40 meteors per hour after midnight.
  • January 6 – Full Moon Spirit Moon
  • February 5 – Full Moon Bear Moon
  • March 7 – Full Moon Snow Crust Moon
  • April 6 – Full Moon Broken Snow Moon
  • April 22 – Lyrid Meteor Shower
    Up to 20 meteors per hour after midnight.
  • May 5 – Full Moon Sucker Moon
  • May 6 – Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower
    Up to 30 meteors per hour after midnight.
    Produced by dust particles left behind by Comet Halley.
  • June 3 – Full Moon Blooming Moon
  • June 21 – Summer Solstice
    The North Pole of the earth tilted toward the Sun
    at its northernmost position in the sky.
    First day of summer.
  • July 3 – Full Super Moon Berry Moon
    First of 4 Super Moons
    Super Moon occurs when Full Moon occurs at the same time as Perigee.
    Perigee is point of the orbit when moon is closest to Earth.
    Moon may look larger and brighter.
  • July 30 – Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower
    Up to 20 meteors per hour after midnight.
  • August 1 – Full Moon Wild Rice Moon
    Second of 4 Super Moons
    Full Moon occurs same time as Perigee.
    Moon may look larger and brighter.
  • August 12 – Perseids Meteor Shower
    Best meteor shower of the summer.
    Up to 60 meteors per hour after midnight.
  • August 30 – Full Blue Moon
    Third of 4 Super Moons
    Full Moon occurs same time as Perigee.
    Moon may look larger and brighter.
    2nd Full Moon in a Calendar Month is called a Blue Moon
  • September 29 – Full Moon Changing Leaves Moon
    4th Super Moon in 2023.
    Full Moon occurs same time as Perigee.
    Moon may look larger and brighter.
  • October 14 –Partial Solar Eclipse
    Moon will block 40% of the sun.
  • October 21 – Orionids Meteor Shower
    20 meteors per hour after midnight.
    Produced by dust grains left behind Comet Halley.
  • October 28 – Full Moon Falling Leaves Moon
  • November 17 – Leonids Meteor Shower
    15 meteors per hour after midnight.
  • November 27 – Full Moon Freezing Moon
  • December 14 – Geminids Meteor Shower
    Best meteor shower of the year.
    120 meteors per hour after midnight.
  • December 21 – Ursid Meteor Shower
    5-10 meteors per hour after midnight.
  • December 22 – Winter Solstice
    South Pole of Earth tilted toward the Sun at its southern most position.
    First day of winter. Shortest day of the year.
  • December 26 – Full Moon Little Spirit Moon

Photo: Meg Narwold

How Are the Full Moons Named?

Annishinaabeg, the local indigenous people designated names of the moon to correspond with the seasonal influence.

These names are provided in italics.

(Calendar updated January 2023.)

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