SOME astronomical events we see often, like shooting stars, but these are only a fraction of the dazzling celestial wonders occurring over the vast expanse of time.
However, there are still four incredibly rare displays you can see in your lifetime.
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2027: The Long Solar Eclipse
The second-longest solar eclipse of the 21st century will take place on the 2nd of August, 2027.
Totality – when nearly all of the solar disk is obstructed by the Moon – will last around six minutes and 24 seconds.
The longest totality of the century was six minutes and 39 seconds on the 22nd of July, 2009, close to Japan’s Ishinomura-Kitaio Island.
No solar eclipse will be as long until the year 2114.
It will be visible from northern Africa – so start planning your summer 2027 trip soon.
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2029: Asteroid Fireball
The 99942 Apophis asteroid will brush past Earth at a safe but close distance of only 31,000 kilometers (19,600 miles) on the 13th of April, 2029.
The flyby, which will bring the giant space rock ten times closer than the Moon, is set to be visible to the naked eye against dark skies.
This hunk of celestial debris will be bigger than the Empire State Building.
Roughly two billion people from across Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia will be able to see it.
It will look like a bright star, moving quickly across the sky.
Apophis will be a magnitude 3.1 – which is what astronomers use to measure the brightness of cosmic objects.
That makes it much brighter than the North Star, also known as Polaris, which is the brightest star in the sky.
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2031: Leonid Meteor Storm
In November 2031, stargazers will be able to enjoy a spectacular version of the annual Leonid meteor shower.
After the Tempel-Tuttle meteor passes Earth in its 33-year orbit, it will leave behind a huge trail of debris.
This debris will result in a meteor storm of blazing shooting stars between 17 and 18 November, 2031.
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2040: A ‘Golden Conjunction’
This rare planetary alignment, dubbed a ‘Golden Conjunction’, occurs once every few hundred years.
And the next one will take place on the 8th of September, 2040 right after sunset.
Mars, Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Jupiter will all become visible in the same small, 10-degree patch of sky.
It will be visible across the world – so you only need to go as far as your back garden for this one.
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2052: Biggest Supermoon
The biggest supermoon of the century is due to take place on the 6th of December, 2052.
The lunar disk will appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter than normal, as the Moon transitions to its closest point to Earth.
The Moon travels around Earth in an elliptical oval-shaped orbit.
This means that there are points where the Moon is closest to Earth (perigee), and its furthest away (apogee).
All you need to know about planets in our solar system
Our solar system is made up of nine planets with Earth the third closest to the Sun. But each planet has its own quirks, so find out more about them all…
- How old is Earth? Plus other facts on our planet
- How many moons does Mercury have?
- What colour is Venus?
- How far away is Mars to Earth? And other facts on the red planet
- How big is Jupiter?
- How many moons does Saturn have?
- Does Uranus have rings?
- How many moons does Neptune have?
- How big is Pluto?
- How hot is the Sun?
