PERSEIDS METEOR SHOWER IN TENERIFE
This meteor shower is an annual display of shooting stars that regularly features more than 50 meteors an hour, with activity peaking during 12-13 August. Watch it 2,000m above sea level in the Mount Teide National Park, Tenerife, and stay in the crater of an extinct volcano at the Parador Hotel Canadas del Teide (paradores-spain.com), which has an in-house telescope.
DRACONIDS METEOR SHOWER IN TURKEY
Expect as many as 750 shooting stars an hour from the usually subdued Draconids Meteor Shower during 8-9 October. Head to Cappadocia in Turkey, and stay at the Museum Hotel (museumhotel.com.tr), which is carved into the rock on a top peak.
ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE IN NEW MEXICO
An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon appears smaller than the sun as it comes across it to form an eclipse. Visit New Mexico on 20 May 2012 to see one. New Mexico Skies (nmskies.com) offers accommodation in the Sacramento Mountains. Or take a closer look at the nearby National Solar Observatory (nso.edu).
NORTHERN LIGHTS IN NORWAY
Experts predict increased levels of solar activity, which means bigger and better displays from the Northern Lights, one of the most awe-inspiring celestial shows on the planet. Head to Tromso in Norway this winter and jump on an excursion into the Arctic wilderness for the best seat in the house. Lyngsfjord Adventures (lyngsfjord.com) offer nights out in Sami tents.
TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE IN AUSTRALIA
A total solar eclipse occurs as the moon's silhouette passes between the Earth and sun, plunging us into premature night. See one on 13 November 2012 in Cairns, Australia, or wait until 2015 and go to Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean to watch it on board a solar eclipse cruise (coralprincess.com.au).
Brian Cox's Wonders of the Universe (£20, Harper Collins) is out now.
