Add these 5 astronomical events to your 2012 calendar | Weather

Get out your 2012 daily planner, you’re going to need it for these neat astronomical events that Inland Northwest neighbors will be able to view from their own backyard - or at least a very tall hill. 

This is simply a general reminder. When it comes closer to the event, we’ll coordinate with your region’s astronomy clubs to see where the best place to view them will be.

Quadrantid Meteor Shower

North America is also the prime viewing location for this annual meteor shower. Quadrantid is named after a now extinct constellation. Astronomers believe the Quadrantids come from a parent asteroid.

The best viewing time is the morning of January 4th around 3 a.m. local time until dawn. Dress warmly.

Annular Eclipse

The Western United States has a chance to watch an annular eclipse of the sun on May 20th. The eclipse is completely visible from our neck of the woods and only partially visible from the rest of North America.

At 6:20 p.m., put your dinner on simmer and head outside. It’s expected to last about four and a half minutes. Any westbound viewpoint will be a recommended destination. Perhaps Spokane's High Drive Bluff or Steptoe Butte along Highway 195. 

Transit of Venus

North American residents will get a chance on the evening of June 5th to see the Transit of Venus. It sounds rather exotic, doesn’t it? The last time the world got to see it was 2004. They occur twice in a eight year segment every 105-121 years. It’s a little mathematically complicated, so this graph explains why they’re so rare.

It’s hard to see so you’ll need a little help from technology. That’s where things get a little difficult. To view the event, you'll need proper solar filters on your telescope equipment. Misuse will damage your eyesight by looking directly into the sun. 

Transit time takes awhile, but between 3:05 p.m. and 9:48 p.m. - there may be something to see. 

The Perseid Meteor Shower

The famous meteor shower happens every year and seems to get the most publicity for astronomy activity. Its activity increases on the evenings of August 9th and 10th with a morning peak on August 12th.

It’s a great summer activity, perfect for camping in the wilderness away from light pollution.

The Geminid Meteor Shower

It may not be the most prime time of year to go outside looking for meteor showers, but some astronomers say this is the best show of the year. The best time to look to the sky is on the evenings of December 12th and 14th.