Eyes On The Skies: A Homegrown Astronomical Calendar For 2025

“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.”

― Carl Sagan

Almost 7,000 years ago, the star HB9 went supernova and burst into a massive explosion near the constellations Orion and Taurus. Its dying light travelled 2,600 light-years across the void of space and reached Earth around 4,000 BCE. Around the same time, the earliest settlers of Burzahama carved a hunting scene on a piece of rock. The rock, discovered almost a century ago in 1969, depicts a strange hunting scene underneath two stars. Only — according to a team of astrophysicists based in India and Germany, it is not a hunting scene at all.

The scientists transferred the carvings onto a chart of known constellations that surrounded HB9 circa 4,000 BCE and realized that the figures could represent celestial clusters. Seen from Kashmir, the supernova would have exploded near Orion, which aligns almost perfectly with the carved image of the hunter; as well as Taurus, which they believe is represented by the bull. They believe it is the oldest extant star map made by humans.

The Burzahama petroglyph is only one example of humankind's enduring fascination with the stars. Since the beginning of civilisation, we have looked to the skies for inspiration, explanation, and divine intervention. In celebration of that spirit of curiosity and wonder, here is a Homegrown calendar of astronomical events in 2025:

January 3-4: The Quadrantids Meteor Shower

The Quadrantids is an above average shower, with up to 40 meteors per hour at its peak. In 2025 the Quadrantids peak on the night of January 4, with a possible rate of up to 120 meteors per hour at the maximum. Meteors will radiate from the Bootes constellation, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

January 10 And June 1: Venus At Greatest Elongations

In astronomy, 'Elongation' refers to the angular separation of a planet from the sun or of a satellite from a planet, as seen by an observer.

The first planetary elongation of 2025 will take place on January 10. Venus will reach its greatest elongation east (and therefore seen in the morning) on January 10, and its greatest elongation west (seen in the evening) on June 1, 2025.

January 16: Mars At Opposition

'Opposition' refers to the apparent position of two celestial objects that are directly opposite each other in the sky, especially the position of a planet when opposite the sun. The greatest points of elongation and opposition are the best times of observing the planets.

The red planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun on January 16, making this a great opportunity to set your eyes or telescopes on the beautiful red planet.

January 21: A Gathering Of Planets

After sunset on January 21, you’ll be able to see five planets — Saturn, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter and Mars — scattered across the sky. Saturn, Venus and Jupiter will be easily visible as bright white points of light, and Mars as an orange dot, but Uranus is quite faint and will require very dark skies or a telescope to see it.

March 8: Mercury At Greatest Elongation

Mercury will reach its greatest elongation in the east, its farthest point from the Sun, for the first time in 2025 on March 8. As it’s an eastern elongation this will be best seen in the morning. Mercury's greatest elongation east will happen again on July 4 and October 29; and it will reach its greatest elongation west (best seen in the evening) on April 21, August 19, and December 7, 2025.

April 22-23: Lyrids Meteor Shower

The Lyrids is an average shower, usually producing about 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which was discovered in 1861. These meteors can sometimes produce bright dust trails that last for several seconds. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Lyra, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

May 6-7: Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower

The Eta Aquarids is an above average shower caused by Halley's Comet, capable of producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. Most of the activity is seen in the Southern Hemisphere. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius, but can appear anywhere in the sky. Best viewed from a dark location after midnight.

July 28-29: Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower

The Delta Aquarids is an average shower that can produce up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by debris left behind by the comets Marsden and Kracht. The shower runs annually from July 12 to August 23. It peaks this year on the night of July 28 and morning of July 29.

August 12-13: Perseids Meteor Shower

The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by the comet Swift-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1862. The Perseids are famous for producing a large number of bright meteors. Best viewed from a dark location after midnight.

September 19: Lunar Occultation Of Venus

In September we’ll get to observe the motion of the Solar System in action as Venus takes its turn to temporarily disappear behind the Moon. This lunar occultation will be visible from Africa, Western Russia, Canada, Asia and Europe.

September 21: Saturn In Opposition

Saturn reaches opposition on 21 September, meaning it’ll be directly opposite the Sun in the sky and therefore look especially bright to us. As one of the more visible planets to reach opposition, this could be a good opportunity to try to capture some photos of the gas giant.

October 21-22: Orionids Meteor Shower

The Orionids is an average shower producing up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust grains left behind by Halley's comet. The shower runs annually from October 2 to November 7. This year, the Orionids will peak on the night of October 21 and the morning of October 22. 2025 is an excellent year for observing the Orionids as the moon all be absent all night. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Orion.

November 5 And December 4: Super Moons

The Moon's closest approach to us is called perigee, and when a full Moon happens very close to perigee we call it a supermoon. At this time the full Moon appears up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than when it’s farthest away (apogee). There will be two supermoons in 2025, one on November 5 and another on December 4.

November 17-18: Leonids Meteor Shower

The Leonids is an average shower, producing up to 15 meteors per hour at its peak. This shower is unique in that it has a cyclical peak about every 33 years where hundreds of meteors per hour can be seen. That last of these occurred in 2001. 2025 should be an excellent year for the Leonids, named so because they radiate from the constellation Leo.

December 13-14: Geminids Meteor Shower

The Geminids, radiating from the constellation Gemini, is the MVP of meteor showers. It is considered by many to be the best shower to observe, producing up to 120 multicolored meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by debris left behind by an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, which was discovered in 1982. The shower runs annually from December 7-17. It peaks this year on the night of the 13th and morning of the 14th. The second quarter moon will block some of the fainter meteors this year, but the Geminids are so numerous that it should still be a good show.

December 21-22: Ursids Meteor Shower

The Ursids, radiating from the constellation Ursa Minor, is a minor meteor shower producing about 5-10 meteors per hour. It peaks this year on the the night of the 21st and morning of the 22nd. The thin, crescent moon will set early in the evening, leaving dark skies for what should be a good show. Best viewing will be just after midnight from a dark location far away from city lights.

Equinox and Solstice in 2025

An equinox is when the length of day and night are almost equal, while a solstice is when the length of day and night are at their greatest difference.

This year, the March Equinox will take place on March 20 at 14:31 IST, June Solstice will take place on June 21 at 08:12 IST, September Equinox will take place on September 22 at 23:49 IST, and December Solstice will take place on December 21 at 20:33 IST in India.

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