NEW MEXICO – Keep your eyes to the sky, New Mexico, many spectacular astronomical events are in the stars for 2023.
Full moons and new moons are monthly phenomena people can count on, but comets, meteor showers and several eclipses are also expected this year. There are also various dates throughout the year when it is easier to spot the planets based on their orbital paths.
Comet ZTF, or the Green Comet, will be visible in February, making its closest approach to Earth – about 26 million miles away. According to Farmers’ Almanac, the comet may never again travel this close to Earth.
The Astronomical Society of Las Cruces hosts monthly events for members of the public, including Moongaze events on the Plaza de Las Cruces and chances for observing in the wider Doña Ana County area. The New Mexico State University Department of Astronomy also hosts open houses on the main campus for members of the public to enjoy and learn.
Here is a list of astronomical events in 2023 that will be visible from New Mexico. There are a few more eclipses anticipated this year but will not be visible from North America.
January
- Jan 28: Moongaze event at Plaza de Las Cruces (Astronomical Society of Las Cruces)
February
- Feb 1: Green Comet travels closest distance to Earth
- Feb 5: Full Snow Micro Moon
- Feb 11: “Plutomania” at the Museum of Nature & Science
- Feb 11: Leasburg Dam State Park public observing (ASLC)
- Feb 20: Super New Moon
March
- March 3: NMSU open house
- March 7: Full Worm Moon
- March 21: New Moon
April
- April 1: Moongaze (ASLC)
- April 5: Full Pink Moon
- April 14: Rockhound State Park public viewing (ASLC)
- April 15: Leasburg Dam State Park public observing (ASLC)
- April 15: City of Rocks State Park public observing (ASLC)
- April 19: New Moon
- April 23: Lyrid Meteor Shower
- April 20: Earthshine (unlit part of the moon is temporarily visible, known as Da Vinci Glow)
- April 28: NMSU Open House
- April 29: Moongaze (ASLC)
may
- May 5: Full Flower Moon
- May 6: Eta Aquariid’s Meteor Shower
- May 13: Leasburg Dam State Park public observing (ASLC)
- May 19: Black New Moon
- May 19: Earthshine
- May 19: Rockhound State Park public observing (ASLC)
- May 20: City of Rocks State Park public observing (ASLC)
- May 27: Moongaze (ASLC)
June
- June 3: Full Strawberry Moon
- June 10: Leasburg Dam State Park public observing (ASLC)
- June 17: New Moon
- June 24: Moongaze (ASLC)
July
- July 3: Super Full Buck Moon
- July 15: Leasburg Dam State Park public observing (ASLC)
- July 17: New Moon
- July 29: Moongaze (ASLC)
- July 30: Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower
August
- Aug 1: Super Full Sturgeon Moon
- Aug 12: Leasburg Dam State Park public observing (ASLC)
- Aug 13: Perseid’s Meteor Shower
- Aug 16: New Moon
- Aug 26: Moongaze (ASLC)
- Aug 30: Super Full Blue Moon
September
- Sept 9: Leasburg Dam State Park public observing (ASLC)
- Sept 14: New Moon
- Sept 23: Moongaze (ASLC)
- Sept 29: Full Harvest Moon
Oct
- october 7: Leasburg Dam State Park public observing (ASLC)
- october 14: Annual solar eclipse
- october 14: New Moon
- october 21: Moongaze (ASLC)
- october 22: Orionid’s Meteor Shower
- october 28: Full Hunter’s Moon
November
- Nov 4: Leasburg Dam State Park public observing (ASLC)
- Nov 5: Southern Taurids Meteor Shower
- Nov 11-12: Northern Taurids Meteor Shower
- Nov 13: New Moon
- Nov 18: Leonid’s Meteor Shower
- Nov 18: Moongaze (ASLC)
- Nov 27: Full Beaver Moon
Dec
- Dec 2: Leasburg Dam State Park public observing (ASLC)
- Dec 12: New Moon
- Dec 13-14: Geminid’s Meteor Shower
- Dec 16: Moongaze (ASLC)
- Dec 23: Ursid’s Meteor Shower
- Dec 26: Full Cold Moon
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Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, [email protected] or @rromero_leah on Twitter.
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