The article discusses significant astronomical events to watch for in the coming decades, focusing on key highlights expected this century. Key events include:
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Apophis Asteroid (2029): On April 13, 2029, asteroid 99942 Apophis will pass 32,000 km from Earth, providing a rare opportunity for amateur astronomers to view it without optical equipment. While fears of a potential collision were initially entertained, data now suggests it won’t impact Earth this century.
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Halley’s Comet (2061): Following a disappointing appearance in 1986, Halley’s Comet is expected to return brighter and closer to Venus. It’s anticipated to be a much more spectacular sight, prompting interest among amateur astronomers.
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V Sagitte Explosion: Though timing is uncertain, V Sagitte, a star in the Sagittarius constellation, is showing signs of increased brightness and could explode into a supernova in the latter half of the century, possibly around 2083.
- Great Conjunction (2080): A notable alignment of Jupiter and Saturn will happen in March 2080, likely closer than their last conjunction in 2020, and will be easily observable worldwide.
The article encourages looking forward to these events amidst uncertain times and hints at many other potential astronomical phenomena yet to be predicted.
