We have many mythological stories from around the world since ancient times about many Celestial events that occur in the sky, such as the Sun, Moon, stars, and eclipses. Mythologies such as Hindu, Greek, Chinese, and West African are particularly unique. These stories often involve heroes, gods, and natural phenomena. These mythological stories, woven throughout human history, explain how our ancestors understood the universe and astronomy.
Celestial events in Hindu Mythology (Samudra Manthan)
According to Hindu mythology, demons and gods churn the ocean for nectar, during which some types of creatures (Airavata, Kamadhenu), Halahal (poison), Dhanvantri (god of medicine), Apsaras, Kalpavriksha, Parijata tree, Moon, and Varuni come out. At the end, Dhanvantari (God of Medicine) comes out holding the nectar in a sacred pot.
The gods and demons compete to drink the nectar and gain immortality. An asura named Swarbhanu tries to drink the nectar by dressing up as a god. The sun and moon, observing this, tell Vishnu. Lord Vishnu immediately uses his uncontrollable RPM rotating Sudarshana Chakra and cuts off the head of the asura. Since then, the head is called Rahu and the back is called Ketu. Hindus believe that Rahu and Ketu will come to swallow the sun and moon at a certain period to take revenge, and that is when a solar and lunar eclipse occurs.
Celestial Journey of Ra (Sun God) in Egypt Mythology
Ra is considered the most important god in Egyptian mythology. During the reign of the kings, Ra was initially worshipped as a local god, but over time, he was worshipped as a composite god, Amun-Ra, along with other gods such as Amun, and is now the main god of the Egyptians. The worship of Ra has grown significantly throughout Egypt over time.
Ra begins his daily journey across the sky in his solar boat. He rises at dawn, gathers strength during the day, and sets in the evening to travel through the dark world. This shows the cycles of nature and human life. The Egyptians believed that the stars were the souls of the dead. The sun, as a universal wheel, was considered the sun god Ra, the master of the universe and astronomy. ( egyptmythology.com )
| Culture/Region | Mythological Stories And Celestial Events | Specific Examples |
| Ancient Greece | Gods of Olympus and Celestial Myths, Constellations Like Orion, Great Bear, Little Bear | Orion (giant hunter), Great Bear, Little Bear |
| Mesopotamian | Celestial Myths with Dragon-God Tirmat, Constellations Symbolizing Sumerian Heroes | Tiamat (dragon-god), Sumerian hero constellations |
| Ancient Egypt | Deets like Ra (Sun God), myths surrounding the star Sirius | Ra (sun god), Sirius (star) |
| Europe | Constellations Associated with Heroes, Gods, Mythological Creatures, Stories of Cassiopeia, Milky Way | Cassiopeia, Milky Way |
| Asia | Rich tradition of celestial myths, mentioned throughout Africa but specifics not detailed | Not specified |
| Africa | Diverse celestial legends, stories of the Dogons and myths of the Maasai | Dogons, Maasai |
| Oceania | Celestial myths linked to navigation and fishing, guiding constellations, legends of oceanic gods | Guiding constellations, oceanic gods |
Festivals related to celestial events
Festivals related to celestial events are a fascinating intersection of astronomy, culture, and spirituality, reflecting how societies around the world have historically aligned their celebrations with the rhythms of the universe.
Festivals in India
Indian festivals are deeply rooted in astronomical events, often following the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which combines lunar months with solar adjustments. In India, festivals like Makar Sankranti and Kumbh Mela celebrate the sun and planets, while Diwali and Holi are timed by lunar cycles.
- Makar Sankranti is celebrated on January 14 or 15 when the sun enters Capricorn, marking the longest day with kite flying and bonfires. In some places, there is only one festival where people’s customs and traditions are different
- The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years in places like Haridwar, attracts millions of people as the river is submerged, based on the positions of Jupiter, the sun and the moon. The most recent Maha Kumbh Mela was held in Prayagraj. It is estimated that over 50 crore devotees have taken holy dips here. It is known as the largest human gathering in the world.
- Diwali, which falls on the new moon day of Kartik month (October/November), lights up homes for the return of Lord Rama, which is linked to the phases of the moon.
- Holi, which falls on the full moon day of Phalguna month (February/March), celebrates spring with colors, and also aligns with the moon.
- Janmashtami, which Celebrates the birth of Sri Krishna(Lord Vishnu’s Incarnation) , follows the lunar calendar in August/September.
Festivals Around the World
Globally, celestial events inspire diverse festivals, reflecting cultural ties to the cosmos. Events like Stonehenge’s summer solstice and Japan’s Tanabata festival highlight star alignments and solstices. Surprisingly, the Dogon tribe in Mali knew about the invisible star Sirius B, predating modern telescopes, influencing their celestial festivals.
| Festival Name | Country/Region | Date/Timing | Celestial Event | Significance | Key Celebrations |
| Stonehenge Summer Solstice | UK | June 21 | Summer solstice | Peak of summer, pagan rituals | Gatherings at dawn, music |
| Inti Raymi | Peru | June 24 | Winter solstice (southern) | Inca New Year, sun god honor | Reenactments, dances, feasts |
| Nowruz | Iran | Spring equinox (March 20) | Equal day/night | Persian New Year, renewal | Haft-sin, feasts, fireworks |
| Songkran | Thailand | April 13-15 | Sun above equator | Traditional New Year, cleansing | Water fights, temple visits |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | China | Full moon, 8th lunar month | Brightest full moon | Harvest, family unity | Mooncakes, lanterns, moon viewing |
| Tanabata | Japan | July 7 | Stars Altair and Vega | Love and wishes, star meeting | Wishes on bamboo, fireworks |
| Matariki | New Zealand | June/July, Pleiades rising | Star cluster rise | Maori New Year, planting season | Feasts, performances, remembrance |
| Day of the Dead | Mexico | Nov 1-2 | Pleiades prominence | Honor deceased, blend of traditions | Altars, costumes, processions |
Technological Innovations in Stargazing
Many of us have found an unknown peace in our minds by gazing at the sky and counting the stars, the spots on the moon, and many questions like how the universe was formed. But we cannot touch or hold them except from a distance. Just imagine if astronomical objects appeared much closer to us than they are from a distance? It would be great to imagine, wouldn’t it! Our changing technology has made it possible.
Apps for tracking planetary positions
Several apps make it easy to track where planets are in the sky, using your smartphone’s GPS and augmented reality. Here are some top choices.
- Stellarium (Stellarium) shows planets and stars in real-time, perfect for planning your stargazing.
- SkySafari (SkySafari) offers notifications for planet risings and can even control telescopes, making it great for tracking.
- Star Walk 2 (Star Walk 2) lets you point your phone at the sky to identify planets instantly, with a user-friendly interface.
Telescopes with smart features
Smart telescopes use technology like app control and automated tracking to simplify stargazing, especially for beginners. Here are some options.
- Unistellar eVscope 2 (Unistellar eVscope 2) has smart light pollution reduction and an app for easy operation, ideal for urban areas.
- Vaonis Vespera II (Vaonis Vespera II) features automatic focus and image stacking for clear photos, controlled via the Singularity app.
- Celestron Origin (Celestron Origin) is an “intelligent home observatory” with premium optics and app-based control for both observing and photography
Virtual reality experiences that simulate the event
VR lets you explore the night sky from anywhere, offering immersive experiences. Here are some top picks.
- Overview VR (Overview VR) lets you zoom around the solar system, seeing planets and stars in their precise locations.
- Stargaze XR (Stargaze XR) turns your room into a stargazing lounge, with mixed reality stars visible through virtual windows.
- Stargaze on Steam (Stargaze on Steam) is a game where you play an astronomer, exploring and interacting with a galaxy.
Prepare for viewing the Planet Parade
The Planet Parade on February 28, 2025, will feature seven planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) visible in the sky, with some requiring binoculars or telescopes.
Preparation Tips
To prepare for viewing the Planet Parade, find a dark spot away from city lights with a clear view of the western horizon. Check the weather for clear skies on February 28, 2025, and plan to observe just after sunset, around 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM IST. Download a stargazing app to help identify the planets and consider bringing binoculars for better visibility of fainter planets. Look for bright objects like Venus and Jupiter, and note that Mars will have a reddish hue, while Mercury and Saturn may be closer to the horizon.
Use Astronomy Apps
- Stellarium: A free planetarium app that shows a realistic sky in 3D.
- SkySafari: Offers detailed information about planets and celestial events.
- Star Walk 2: An interactive app to help identify planets in real-time.
Prepare Your Equipment
| Equipment | Purpose |
| Binoculars | Great for beginners; wider field of view. |
| Telescope | For detailed views of planetary features. |
| Camera | To capture the event; use a tripod. |
| Star Chart | Helps in identifying planets and constellations. |
Tip: Even without equipment, you can enjoy the Planet Parade with the naked eye!
Identifying the Planets
The planets will vary in brightness and visibility
- Venus: Very bright, often called the “evening star,” and easily visible to the naked eye.
- Jupiter: Also bright, located higher in the sky, and a prominent target.
- Mars: Recognizable by its reddish color, visible after twilight.
- Saturn: Less bright, may require binoculars for detail, and closer to the horizon.
- Mercury: Close to the horizon, potentially challenging to spot due to its proximity to the sun, best seen just after sunset.
- Uranus and Neptune: Fainter, requiring binoculars or a telescope, and positioned along the ecliptic arc.
(Also Read: The Mysterious Kumbh Rashi: Traits, Strengths, and Love Life)
What to Expect?
The planets will appear in a curved line along the ecliptic, not a straight line, with Venus and Jupiter being the easiest to spot with the naked eye. This event is a rare opportunity to see multiple planets at once, though it’s more of an optical effect than a true alignment in space.
Future Celestial Events
Upcoming Events
Here’s a list of notable celestial events to look forward to. These events are visible from various parts of the world, and some may require binoculars or telescopes for the best experience.
Planet Conjunctions and Alignments
Saturn and Mercury will appear close together on February 25, 2025, visible in the evening sky.
The Planet Parade on February 28, 2025, will feature seven planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) aligned along the ecliptic, best viewed just after sunset.
Venus and Jupiter will be in conjunction on August 12, 2025, appearing close in the morning sky, a beautiful sight for naked-eye viewing.
Lunar Eclipses
A total lunar eclipse on March 14, 2025, will see the moon turn red as it passes through Earth’s shadow, visible from Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas.
Another total lunar eclipse on September 8, 2025, will offer a similar red moon spectacle, best viewed from Asia and western Australia.
Solar Eclipses
A partial solar eclipse on March 29, 2025, will partially obscure the sun, visible in parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Another partial solar eclipse on September 21, 2025, coincides with Saturn at opposition, visible in similar regions.
Meteor Showers
The Lyrid meteor shower peaks on April 22-23, 2025, with up to 20 meteors per hour, visible in the predawn sky.
The Perseid meteor shower on August 12-13, 2025, is one of the best, offering up to 100 meteors per hour, visible in the northern hemisphere.
The Geminid meteor shower on December 14-15, 2025, is highly reliable, with up to 120 meteors per hour, visible worldwide.
Other Notable Events
Saturn’s rings will appear to disappear on March 23, 2025, due to the planet’s tilt making them edge-on, a rare viewing opportunity to see Saturn’s moons.
Saturn will be in opposition on September 21, 2025, appearing brightest and visible all night, coinciding with the partial solar eclipse.
Comet 210P/Christensen may be visible through large binoculars in November 2025, offering a chance to see a comet during its perihelion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 2025 is shaping up to be an absolute treat for anyone who loves gazing at the stars. Whether you’re a die-hard astronomy buff or just someone who enjoys a good cosmic show, this year’s lineup—think rare planetary alignments, jaw-dropping lunar and solar eclipses, and those magical meteor showers—has something to make your jaw drop. It’s not just about the pretty sights, though; these moments give us a peek into the wild, intricate dance of our solar system. So, when we tilt our heads back to take it all in, it’s hard not to feel a little amazed at how beautiful and crazy the universe is—and how, in some quiet way, these sky spectacles tie us all together, sparking that childlike wonder we never really outgrow.
Source
1.NASA Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak (EclipseWise) http://www.eclipsewise.com/
2.Sky & Telescope Magazine https://skyandtelescope.org/
3.TimeandDate.com Astronomy Section https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy
4.The Old Farmer’s Almanac – Astronomy Section https://www.almanac.com/astronomy
5.International Meteor Organization (IMO) https://www.imo.net/
6.Ancient Egyptian Texts on Stars and Myths https://egyptmythology.com/
7.Samudra Manthan https://vedicfeed.com/