Top 7 Must-See Sky Events for 2017

National Geographic ^ | 29 Dec, 2016 | Andrew Fazekas

[MtnClimber]

Among the many eye-catching astronomical shows coming up, 2017 may be best remembered for the much anticipated total eclipse of the sun that will cross the continental United States in August.

In addition to that spectacular sight, sky-watchers will have a plethora of treats to look forward to in the coming months. To kick things off, an icy comet will swing by Earth in February, hopefully offering picturesque views. Elusive Mercury and giant Jupiter will both put their best faces forward as they appear their biggest and brightest early in the year. And in December, the annual Geminid meteor shower will put on an especially brilliant display.

Here's a rundown of these and other superb sky-watching events worth circling on your calendar in 2017:

[MtnClimber]

Details for each event follow in the article.

[MV=PY]

Cool! Thanks for posting. I’ve set up my calendar.

[outofsalt]

I’ve got my reservations for the August solar eclipse in Nashville. Nashville is the biggest city in the path of totality.

[DesertRhino]

That’s scary. An eclipse hitting Nashville could set off the superstitious element there. Lord only knows what they’ll do in their panic.

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

Got it on my calendar...Thanks!

[Organic Panic]

I am in the direct path for the solar eclipse. That should be a fun one.

[Pollster1]

Bonnie Tyler - music to watch the eclipse by:

Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit lonely
And you’re never coming round
Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit tired
Of listening to the sound of my tears
Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit nervous
That the best of all the years have gone by
Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit terrified
And then I see the look in your eyes
Turn around bright eyes, every now and then I fall apart
Turn around bright eyes, every now and then I fall apart

And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
And if you only hold me tight
We’ll be holding on forever
And we’ll only be making it right
‘Cause we’ll never be wrong together
We can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time (all of the time)
I don’t know what to do and I’m always in the dark
We’re living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever’s gonna start tonight
Forever’s gonna start tonight

Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I’m only falling apart
And there’s nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart
Once upon a time there was light in my life
But now there’s only love in the dark
Nothing I can say
A total eclipse of the heart

[painter]

Same here !!

[outofsalt]

If I had known that I would have come stay with you.

[Organic Panic]

If you take a look at the map it would appear nearly the entire USA is within a days drive to be right in the middle of the August solar eclipse. There are festivals for a bunch of small towns right in the path. I may have to put the sail boat out.

[Moonman62]

This page has a zoomable map of the eclipse path in case somebody wants to pick out a less crazy city.

https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2017Aug21Tgoogle.html

[Verginius Rufus]

I’m also in the path of totality. I got a notice from my alumni association inviting me to join a group going to see the eclipse at a location 2,000 miles away.

[Gay State Conservative]

I might go down to TN/NC to see the eclipse.Given that I'm no kid anymore it might be the last one to occur in the US in my lifetime.

[editor-surveyor]

.
>> “Lord only knows what they’ll do in their panic.” <<

Start building Nashes again??
.

[outofsalt]

"I may have to put the sail boat out."

I'm a two day sail away from the South Carolina Coast due South West. That would be fun.

[SuziQ]

I thought totality was due for just north of St. Louis MO.

[outofsalt]

This is an interactive map of the eclipse from NASA
https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2017Aug21Tgoogle.html