5 of the rarest astronomical events--and when you'll next see them
Published in Slideshow World
Humans have been looking to the sky to make sense of the world around us for thousands of years. Ancient cave paintings seem to show humans began using the position of the stars to keep track of time as early as 40,000 years ago. Archaeological evidence also indicates astronomy was one of the first natural sciences developed by many ancient civilizations.
Based on the earliest recorded history, humans have long tried to assign scientific, philosophical, and spiritual meaning to the movements of stars and planets. Alongside the development of astronomical knowledge was the belief, held by many ancient cultures, that celestial bodies controlled and predicted happenings on Earth, forming the origins of astrology.
Even in the fast-paced, tech-driven world of 2024, many of us still love gazing at the night sky. Astrology, long since discredited as pseudoscience, has nonetheless maintained a position of mystical importance for many trying to make sense of the world around them. Astrology has also become a massive industry, with a market size valued at $12.8 billion in 2021—a number that is projected to nearly double by 2031.
Both astronomy and astrology have remained sources of fascination and inspiration to humans today. References to astronomical bodies and anomalies are ubiquitous in every part of popular culture and media. If you spend enough time in a mall or grocery store, you'll probably hear a classic like "Total Eclipse of the Heart" or "Fly Me to the Moon." Visions of the night sky are also prominently featured in art and have been for a long time. The 11th-century "Bayeux Tapestry" depicts the Battle of Hastings and includes one of the first known illustrations of Halley's Comet. Medieval and Renaissance art was also heavily influenced by ruminations on the cosmos.
While some astronomical events like full moons or shooting stars are commonplace, others are so rare they may never occur in your life span, or even your children's. Stacker consulted scientific articles and news reports to discover five of the rarest astronomical events and when they'll occur next.
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