Save the dates for these amazing sky events happening in 2018

Sky events, including solar and lunar eclipses, supermoons, meteor showers and much more, are always breathtaking. These are such events that make people get out of their comfort zones, go up to their roof tops, grab a telescope or binoculars and just silently observe the magnificent happening in front of them.

2018 is the year full of heavenly amusements. National Geographic helped us list down few of those spectacular events of the upcoming year that will be visible with a naked eye.

Super Wolf Moon – January 1

Looks like New Year’s is going to start with a bang when the world will observe a Super Wolf Moon – the year’s first supermoon. A supermoon is a full moon that occurs when the moon is at or near the part of its orbit that's closest to Earth, making it look bigger and brighter than usual.

Super Blue Moon and Total Lunar Eclipse – January 31

We will witness the first total lunar eclipse of 2018 on January 31 when the Earth moves between the sun and moon. What’s more interesting is that this full moon will also be a supermoon, which will be called a blue moon as it will be the second full month of the month, a phenomenon that happens once every two and a half years.

Planet Parade – March 7-8

In March 2018, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will be close to each other and will form a line in the sky. On March 7, the fading gibbous moon (more-than-half moon) will be near each of the three lined-up planets individually and on March 8, the moon will be between Mars and Jupiter.

Moon Meets Venus – July 15

At the time of sunset, crescent moon will be close to Venus low in the southwestern sky.

Deep Total Lunar Eclipse – July 27

Another lunar eclipse phenomenon would be observed on July 27, where the moon will go dark all across South America, Asia, Europe, Australia and Africa. Also, the eclipse will occur for half a day and then the moon will reach the farthest point from Earth making itself the smallest moon (micro-moon, also known as Buck Moon).

Mars at Its Best – July 27

On the same day, Mars will also be spectacular as it will be close to the moon and will reach its peak visibility. The planet will look like a super-bright orange star. This event was seen in 2003 and won’t be observed until 2035.

Partial Solar Eclipse – August 11

At the time of sunrise, viewers from North America, Europe, Asia, Iceland and Greenland can enjoy a partial solar eclipse. A partial solar eclipse happens when the sun, moon and Earth are not exactly lined up. The Moon casts only the outer part of its shadow on Earth and covers only a tiny part of the Sun's disk. On this day, the moon will cover 37% of the sun a few minutes before sunset.

Meteor Showers – August 12-13, October 21-22, November 17-18

Sky-gazers can witness the Perseid meteor shower that can generate over 60 shooting stars in an hour in the sky at their peak. Luckily, these shooting stars will overlap the sky with no moon on August 12 and early morning of August 13.

Another Orionid meteor shower will also occur at the night of October 21 and early morning of October 22 where up to 20 meteors can streak across the sky per hour. On the night of November 17 and morning of November 18, the Leonid meteor shower will be observed with as many as 15 meteors crossing the sky per hour.

Comet Encounter – December 12

Comet 46P/Wirtanen will brighten the sky on December 12 that will be visible with naked eye. The comet will be closest of Earth reaching within 7.2 million miles of the planet on its way toward the outer solar system that can be easily hunted down.