While the days are short, the weather is bleak, and the sky is grey - it’s nice to know that there are some astronomical phenomena that you can look forward to in 2022.
Meteor showers, New Moons, and even a Partial Solar Eclipse - get ready, 2022 is going to be a busy year in the Netherlands!
The new year starts off with a bang, with a New Moon on January 2 and the peak of the Quadrantids Meteor Shower on January 3, before everything kind of slows down in the second half of January and in February.
The first full moon of the year is on January 17 - which has also been known as the Wolf Moon, the Old Moon, or the Moon After Yule.
Heading into the spring, March offers a little more excitement with the Equinox on March 20, and in April, you'll be treated to the peak of the Lyrids Meteor Shower on April 22.
In May there will be another meteor shower - the Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower - which will be at its peak on May 6, but runs all the way from mid-April right through to May 27, as well as a Total Lunar Eclipse on May 17.
If you thought all that sounded good, get ready to hear what summer 2022 has in store! June 14 will see a Super Full Moon, which happens when the moon and sun appear directly opposite each other, fully illuminating the surface of the moon and making the moon appear larger than normal. June is also, of course, the month of the Summer Solstice (June 21).
Going into July, there'll be another Super Full Moon on July 13. On July 28 and July 29, you'll also have the peak of the Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower, and on July 30, you'll be in with the chance of catching a glimpse of the Alpha Capricornids.
August is another big month, with the Perseids Meteor Shower peaking between August 12 and August 13, offering up to 150 meteors per hour, as well as another Super Full Moon on August 12. August 14 will offer a great opportunity to spot Saturn in the night sky.
If you’re looking to see some more planets, then keep your telescope at the ready in September and November: similarly to August, September 16 will offer a perfect opportunity to spot Neptune, while September 26 will give you a glimpse of Jupiter, and you stand your best chance of seeing Uranus on November 9.
October is bookended by two meteor showers: the Draconids Meteor Shower, which peaks on October 8 and October 9; and the Orionids Meteor Shower, which peaks on October 21. Then, if all that wasn't enough for you, October 25 will provide you will a Partial Solar Eclipse.
Looking for even more meteor showers? Well, November doesn’t disappoint. On November 12, you’ll be treated to the peak of the Taurids Meteor Shower, and on November 17 and November 18, you’ll get the peak of the Leonids Meteor Shower.
Then, as 2022 rounds to a close and everyone decorates the Christmas tree, orders the turkey, and buys the gifts, you’ll be treated to two final astronomical gifts: the Geminids Meteor Shower (peaking on December 14 and potentially offering up over 120 meteors per hour) and the Ursids Meteor Shower (peaking on December 22 and December 23)!
Telescopes and blankets at the ready everyone! Get ready to camp out under the stars and enjoy all the beautiful wonders our solar system has to offer - here's to hoping the Dutch weather stays clear enough for you to actually see it all happen!