Look Up: The Top Celestial Events Of 2025

The new year kicks off with a full slate of stargazing events in January, including a disappearing Mars and a parade of planets.

The rest of the year brings everything from a lunar eclipse to some of the best and brightest meteor showers.

Mark your calendars for these highlights:

J​anuary

The Quadrantid meteor shower peaks on Jan. 3 but is visible until around Jan. 12. At its height it can produce up to 120 meteors per hour. They’re typically easy to spot if conditions are right, but remember to bundle up for the cold.

Jan. 13 brings the year’s first full moon, dubbed the Wolf Moon. This one is special because it will pass over Mars in a phenomenon called occultation. Most people in the U.S. will have a chance to watch the red planet disappear behind the moon and then reappear.

By mid to late month, a parade of planets including Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn can be spotted with the naked eye. Neptune and Uranus will be visible via telescope.

F​ebruary

The f​ull Snow Moon rises on Feb. 12. The names of each month’s full moons were passed down from Native American tribes and early European settlers, who drew inspiration from things like seasons, local wildlife or weather. February’s full moon is aptly named as it appears at one of the most wintry times of year.

M​arch

A total lunar eclipse will turn the full Worm Moon into a glowing red “blood moon” on March 14. This happens because of the lack of sunlight shining on the moon when the Earth passes between it and the sun in a lunar eclipse.

This month’s full moon name is inspired by earthworms emerging from warmer soil.

A partial solar eclipse on March 29 will block out part of the sun.

A​pril

The L​yrid meteor shower is visible from April 15 to April 30 but peaks right about in the middle of that window, on April 21 - 22.

The f​ull Pink Moon rises on April 23. Legend has it this moon was named after pink spring flowers.

M​ay

The f​ull Flower Moon on May 23 is another lunar ode to spring.

J​une

The name of June’s full moon is familiar to anyone who looks forward to ripe summer berries. The f​ull Strawberry Moon peaks on June 11.

J​uly

The full Buck Moon, whose name is said to be inspired by antlers sprouting on the heads of deer, peaks on July 10.

Then come the peak of both the Southern Delta Aquarid and Alpha Capricornid meteor showers peak on July 29-30. The Alpha Capricornids are more visible in the Northern Hemisphere. Although they only produce about five meteors per hour, the Alpha Capricornids are known for their brightness.

A​ugust

The August full moon is named after North America's largest freshwater fish. The full Sturgeon Moon peaks this year on Aug. 9.

This month’s real star is the Perseid meteor shower, widely considered one of the best and most popular meteor showers of the year. The Perseids peak with up to 75 meteors per hour on Aug. 12 - 13, at the same time as some of the warmest summer nights of the year.

S​eptember

The full Harvest Moon on Sept. 17 signifies the symbolic start of what for many is their favorite season.

O​ctober

The first official full moon of the fall, the Hunter’s Moon on Oct. 6, is named for the traditional start of hunting season in some cultures.

The Orionid meteor shower is visible from Oct. 2 to Nov. 12, but peaks on Oct. 22 - 23. The Orionids aren’t known for quantity, but this year they’ll happen when the moon is only 2% full which makes for better viewing.

N​ovember

The f​ull Beaver Moon, also known as the Frost Moon, rises on Nov. 5

D​ecember

Winter is one of the best times for stargazing because colder weather often brings clearer skies. That can make for great viewing of the Geminid meteor shower peak on Dec. 13-14. The Geminids are famous for bright, intense colors and come at a time when the sun sets earlier, making it a family friendly event.

The appropriately named f​ull Cold Moon rises on Dec. 4.

Weather.com staff writer Jan Childs covers breaking news and features related to weather, space, climate change, the environment and everything in between.