This astronomy calendar of celestial events for Fuerteventura contains dates for notable celestial events including moon phases, meteor showers, eclipses, oppositions, conjunctions, and other interesting events that can be seen from dark places in Fuerteventura and the northern hemisphere. Most of the astronomical events on this calendar can be seen with unaided eye, although some may require a good pair of binoculars for best viewing. Many of these events and dates used here were obtained from the U.S. Naval Observatory, the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center. Times are given in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) which corresponds to the local time on Fuerteventura.

New Moon (X): This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.

June 8 - (X)

July 8 - (X)

July 27, 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 comets Marsden and Kracht. The shower runs annually from July 12 to August 23. It peaks this year on the night of July 27 and morning of July 28. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius, so look to the east.

August 6: (X)

August 11, 12 - Perseids Meteor Shower. The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. The shower runs annually from July 17 to August 24. It peaks this year on the night of August 11 and the morning of August 12. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Perseus, so look to the northeast.

September 5 (X)

October 12 - Astronomy Day Part 2. The theme of Astronomy Day is “Bringing Astronomy to the People,” and on this day astronomy and stargazing clubs and other organizations around the world will plan special events.

October 5 - (X)

October 7, 8 - Draconids Meteor Shower. The Draconids is a minor meteor shower producing only about 10 meteors per hour.The shower runs annually from October 6-10 and peaks this year on the night of the 7th and morning of the 8th. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Draco, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

October 18 - Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. The eclipse will be visible throughout most of the world except for Australia and extreme eastern Siberia. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information)

October 21, 22 - Orionids Meteor Shower. The Orionids is an average shower producing up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. The shower runs annually from October 2 to November 7. It peaks this year on the night of October 21 and the morning of October 22. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Orion, so look to the east.

November 3 - (X)

November 3 - Hybrid Solar Eclipse. A hybrid solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is almost too close to the Earth to completely block the Sun. This type of eclipse will appear as a total eclipse to some parts of the world and will appear annular to others. The eclipse path will begin in the Atlantic Ocean off the eastern coast of the United States and move east across the Atlantic and across central Africa. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information)

November 16, 17 - Leonids Meteor Shower. The Leonids is an average shower, producing an average of up to 15 meteors per hour at its peak. The shower runs annually from November 6-30. It peaks this year on the night of the 16th and morning of the 17th. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Leo, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

November 28 - Comet ISON Closest Approach to the Sun. Newly discovered comet ISON will make its closest approach to the Sun on November 28. If the comet survives its encounter with the Sun, it could be one of the brightest comets in recent memory. In October it will start to be visible to the naked eye and will continue to get brighter until November 28.

December 3 - (X)

December 13, 14 - Geminids Meteor Shower. It is considered by many to be the best shower in the heavens, producing up to 120 multicoloured meteors per hour at its peak. The shower runs annually from December 7-17. It peaks this year on the night of the 13th and morning of the 14th. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Gemini, so look to the east.