Have you ever watched a total solar eclipse? Felt the temperature drop as day turned to night in the middle of the afternoon? Seen stars emerge while birds fell silent, confused by the sudden darkness?
If you haven't, 2026 might be your year.
Welcome, dear reader, to FreeAstroScience.com—where we turn the vast complexity of the cosmos into something you can actually wrap your head around. We're thrilled you're here because the coming year is shaping up to be one of the most spectacular for skywatchers in recent memory. We're talking total eclipses (both solar and lunar), meteor showers under perfectly dark skies, the closest supermoon since 2019, planets dancing past each other, and—after more than half a century—humans heading back toward the Moon.
So grab your calendar, pour yourself something warm, and settle in. By the time you finish this guide, you'll know exactly when to look up, where to look, and what you'll see when you do. We've packed this article with dates, times, viewing tips, and the kind of detail that'll make you the most knowledgeable stargazer at any gathering.
Let's begin.
The Year the Sky Puts On Its Best Show
Some years are quiet up there. A few pleasant full moons, maybe a decent meteor shower or two, the occasional bright planet. But 2026? It's packed to the brim.
We'll see four eclipses—two solar and two lunar—which is actually the minimum number that can occur in any calendar year. But here's what makes 2026 extraordinary: one of those solar eclipses is total (the first since 2024's North American spectacle), and one of those lunar eclipses is also total (the last until late 2028). That's rare. That's special.
The Perseid meteor shower will peak on the exact same night as the total solar eclipse—under perfectly dark, moonless skies. The Geminid meteor shower will occur with only a thin crescent Moon, giving us optimal viewing conditions for the year's most reliable shooting star display.
December 24th brings the closest full Moon since 2019—a Christmas Eve supermoon that will appear larger and brighter than any other full Moon of the year.
And then there's Artemis II. On or around February 5th, 2026, NASA could launch the first crewed mission to the Moon since Apollo 17 in December 1972—ending a 53-year drought.
This isn't just another year. This is the year.
The Sun and Earth: Solstices, Equinoxes & Orbital Milestones
Before we dive into the flashy stuff, let's ground ourselves in the basics. Earth's orbit around the Sun creates the rhythm of our seasons, and 2026 brings several key moments worth noting.
Earth's Orbital Journey
Earth doesn't orbit the Sun in a perfect circle—it follows an ellipse. This means we're sometimes closer to the Sun (perihelion) and sometimes farther away (aphelion). The difference isn't huge—about 5 million kilometers—but it's measurable.
| Event | Date | Time (UT) | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earth at Perihelion | January 3rd | 17:16 UT | Closest to the Sun (~147.1 million km) |
| Northward Equinox | March 20th | 14:46 UT | Spring begins (Northern Hemisphere) |
| Northward Solstice | June 21st | 8:25 UT | Longest day (Northern Hemisphere) |
| Earth at Aphelion | July 6th | 17:31 UT | Farthest from the Sun (~152.1 million km) |
| Southward Equinox | September 23rd | 00:06 UT | Autumn begins (Northern Hemisphere) |
| Southward Solstice | December 21st | 20:50 UT | Shortest day (Northern Hemisphere) |
Solar Cycle 25: Still Active
We're coming off the intense peak of Solar Cycle 25 in 2026, heading toward the transition dip of solar minimum around 2030 . This means sunspot activity remains a big unknown—massive sunspots can appear and disappear quickly, triggering space weather events and potential aurora displays.
The March 20th equinox is particularly interesting for aurora hunters. Equinoxes roughly double the chance of vivid auroras due to the orientation of Earth's magnetic field relative to the Sun. If you live at mid-latitudes, keep an eye on space weather forecasts around that date.
*The eclipse path for the August 12th Total Solar Eclipse. From The Atlas of Total Solar Eclipses 2020 to 2045 by Michael Zeiler/Michael E. Bakich*
Moon Phases: A Complete 2026 Lunar Calendar
The Moon is our closest celestial neighbor, and tracking its phases helps you plan everything from meteor shower viewing (you want dark skies) to photography sessions (full Moons make dramatic subjects).
Understanding the Moon's 2026 Orbit
The Moon's path is still transitioning in 2026, moving away from the steep tilt relative to the ecliptic plane we saw in 2025 (fresh off the Major Lunar Standstill). We're now headed back toward the shallow tilt of Minor Lunar Standstill in May 2034 .
This 18.6-year cycle is called lunar nodal precession, and it affects how high or low the Moon climbs in our sky throughout each month. In 2026, the Moon is still swinging relatively wide from north to south near the solstices.
Key Moon Statistics for 2026
- Closest Perigee: December 24th at 356,649 km (Christmas Eve Supermoon)
- Farthest Apogee: December 11th at 406,420 km
- Difference: Nearly 50,000 km—about 13% of the Moon's average distance
| New Moon | Lunation # | Full Moon | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 18 – 19:53 | 1275 | Feb 1 – 22:11 | — |
| Feb 17 – 12:03 | 1276 | Mar 3 – 11:39 | Eclipse Season: Annular Solar + Total Lunar |
| Mar 19 – 1:26 | 1277 | Apr 2 – 2:13 | — |
| Apr 17 – 11:54 | 1278 | May 1 – 17:25 | — |
| May 16 – 20:03 | 1279 | May 31 – 8:47 | Blue Moon (2nd Full Moon) + Mini Moon |
| Jun 15 – 2:56 | 1280 | Jun 29 – 23:58 | — |
| Jul 14 – 9:45 | 1281 | Jul 29 – 14:37 | — |
| Aug 12 – 17:38 | 1282 | Aug 28 – 4:20 | Eclipse Season: Total Solar + Deep Partial Lunar |
| Sep 11 – 3:27 | 1283 | Sep 26 – 16:50 | — |
| Oct 10 – 15:50 | 1284 | Oct 26 – 4:13 | — |
| Nov 9 – 7:03 | 1285 | Nov 24 – 14:55 | — |
| Dec 9 – 00:53 | 1286 | Dec 24 – 1:30 | Largest Full Moon of 2026 (Supermoon) |
Solar Eclipses: When the Moon Swallows the Sun
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on our planet. It's one of nature's most awe-inspiring spectacles—and 2026 brings us two, including a total eclipse that'll have eclipse chasers booking flights right now.
February 17, 2026: The Antarctic Ring of Fire
Our first solar eclipse of the year is an annular eclipse—sometimes called a "ring of fire." During this event, the Moon passes directly in front of the Sun but doesn't completely cover it. Why not? Because the Moon is near apogee (its farthest point from Earth), making it appear slightly smaller in our sky than the Sun's disk.
The result: a brilliant ring of sunlight blazes around the Moon's silhouette.
The catch? You'll need to be in Antarctica to see the full ring . Not exactly convenient for most of us. Partial phases will be visible from parts of southern Africa and South America, but this eclipse is primarily one for the penguins and hardy polar researchers.
August 12, 2026: Total Solar Eclipse—The Main Event
Mark this date. Circle it. Highlight it. Set seventeen alarms if you have to.
On August 12th, a total solar eclipse will sweep across eastern Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain . For those lucky enough to stand in the path of totality, the Moon will completely block the Sun. Day will become night. The temperature will drop noticeably—sometimes by 10°F or more. Stars and planets will appear in the darkened sky. Birds will fall silent. The Sun's corona—that ethereal, wispy outer atmosphere invisible under normal conditions—will bloom around the Moon's black disk.
It's an experience that changes people. Ask anyone who's witnessed totality—they'll tell you it feels almost spiritual, a reminder of our place in a vast, clockwork universe where such perfect alignments are even possible.
Path of Totality:
- Eastern Greenland
- Iceland (including Reykjavik area)
- Atlantic Ocean
- Northwestern Spain (including parts of Galicia)
Duration of Totality: Approximately 2 minutes at maximum
| Date | Type | Best Viewing Locations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 17 | Annular ("Ring of Fire") | Antarctica; partial from S. Africa, S. America | Remote location; primarily for polar expeditions |
| August 12 | Total | E. Greenland, Iceland, N. Spain | Same day as Perseid meteor shower peak! |
Safety Warning: Never look directly at the Sun without certified eclipse glasses—even during a partial eclipse. Regular sunglasses won't protect your eyes. The only safe time to look without protection is during the brief minutes of totality itself, when the Moon completely covers the Sun's bright disk.
Lunar Eclipses: Blood Moons and Deep Shadows
While solar eclipses require you to be in a specific narrow path, lunar eclipses are visible to anyone on the night side of Earth when they occur. They're also completely safe to watch without eye protection—just step outside and look up.
March 3, 2026: Total Lunar Eclipse—The Blood Moon Returns
This is the last total lunar eclipse until late 2028. Let that sink in. If you miss this one, you'll be waiting nearly three years for another chance to see the Moon turn that deep, eerie red.
During totality, the Moon doesn't disappear. Instead, it glows a coppery crimson—a "blood moon." Why does this happen? Earth's atmosphere bends sunlight around our planet, filtering out shorter blue wavelengths and letting longer red wavelengths paint the lunar surface. It's essentially the light of every simultaneous sunrise and sunset on Earth projected onto the Moon.
Key Statistics:
- Totality Duration: Approximately 56-58 minutes
- Full eclipse duration: Several hours from first penumbral contact to last
- Moon enters full shadow (umbra): ~10:09 UT
- Totality begins: ~11:03 UT
- Maximum eclipse: ~11:33 UT
Best Viewing Regions: Western North America, the Pacific region, East Asia, Australia, and New Zealand
For viewers in these regions, the Moon will be well above the horizon during totality. Those on the U.S. East Coast will see the eclipse begin but the Moon will set before totality ends.
August 28, 2026: Deep Partial Lunar Eclipse
Just two weeks after the total solar eclipse, we get another lunar treat. This partial eclipse will see over 93-96% of the Moon immersed in Earth's umbral shadow —so deep it'll appear rust-colored to observers, almost indistinguishable from a total eclipse to casual viewers.
Best Viewing Regions: The Americas, Europe, and Africa
This is a fantastic consolation prize for anyone who couldn't travel to see the August 12th total solar eclipse. You'll step outside, look up, and see the Moon mostly swallowed by Earth's shadow—a dramatic reminder of our planet's presence in the cosmic dance.
| Date | Type | Coverage/Duration | Visible From |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 3 | Total | ~58 min totality | W. North America, Pacific, Australia, E. Asia |
| August 28 | Partial (93-96%) | Deep partial | Americas, Europe, Africa |
Meteor Showers: Your Complete 2026 Guide
Every year, Earth plows through streams of debris left behind by comets (and occasionally asteroids). Those tiny particles—often no bigger than grains of sand—burn up in our atmosphere at speeds of 25,000 to 160,000 mph, creating the streaks of light we call meteors, or more poetically, shooting stars.
2026 offers exceptional conditions for several major showers, particularly the Perseids and Geminids.
Understanding Meteor Shower Rates
The "Zenithal Hourly Rate" (ZHR) is the theoretical maximum number of meteors you'd see per hour under perfect conditions: the radiant directly overhead, skies completely dark and clear, and no obstructions. In practice, you'll usually see about half to two-thirds of this number. Moonlight is the biggest variable—a bright Moon can wash out all but the brightest meteors.
The Perseids: August 12-13, 2026—A Historic Night
Here's where 2026 becomes truly magical. The Perseid meteor shower peaks on the night of August 12-13—the same day as the total solar eclipse .
Think about that for a moment. Eclipse chasers in Iceland or Spain can watch the Sun disappear during the day. Then, as night falls, they'll experience one of the year's best meteor showers under perfectly dark, moonless skies (the Moon is at New phase for the eclipse) .
Peak Rate: Up to 100 meteors per hour (ZHR) Moon Phase: Less than 1% illuminated—essentially new Best Viewing: After midnight local time, when your location rotates to face into the meteor stream Parent Comet: 109P/Swift-Tuttle
This is a once-in-a-lifetime alignment. The Perseids are already one of the most popular meteor showers—warm August nights make comfortable viewing, and the shower reliably produces bright meteors with occasional fireballs. Having it coincide with a total eclipse under new Moon conditions? That's the universe showing off.
The Geminids: December 14, 2026—The Year's Richest Shower
The Geminids typically outperform every other annual meteor shower in terms of raw numbers. While the Perseids get more attention (summer weather helps), the Geminids consistently deliver more meteors per hour.
Peak Rate: Up to 150 meteors per hour (ZHR) Moon Phase: 27% illuminated waxing crescent, setting early Best Viewing: Eastern North America and the Atlantic region are particularly well-positioned Parent Body: Asteroid 3200 Phaethon (unusual—most meteor showers come from comets)
The thin crescent Moon sets early in the evening, leaving the late-night and pre-dawn hours dark for optimal meteor viewing. Bundle up (it's December, after all) and give yourself at least an hour under dark skies. You'll be rewarded.
| Shower | Peak Date | ZHR | Moon Phase | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quadrantids | January 4th | 80 | 96% waning gibbous | Poor (bright Moon) |
| Lyrids | April 22nd | 18 | 38% waxing crescent | Good |
| Eta Aquarids | May 5th | 50 | 84% waning gibbous | Poor (bright Moon) |
| Daytime Arietids | June 7th | 30 | 54% Last Quarter | Radio detection only |
| S. Delta Aquarids | July 31st | 25 | 96% waning gibbous | Poor (bright Moon) |
| Perseids | August 12th | 100 | <1% New Moon | EXCELLENT |
| Draconids | October 8th | 5 | 4% waning crescent | Good (variable shower) |
| Orionids | October 21st | 20 | 79% waxing gibbous | Fair (moonset helps) |
| Southern Taurids | November 5th | 7 | 13% waning crescent | Good |
| Northern Taurids | November 12th | 5 | 12% waxing crescent | Good |
| Leonids | November 17th | 10 | 56% First Quarter | Fair |
| Geminids | December 14th | 150 | 27% waxing crescent | EXCELLENT |
| Ursids | December 22nd | 10 | 97% waxing gibbous | Poor (near full Moon) |
Supermoons, Mini Moons & a Rare Blue Moon
The terms "supermoon" and "blue moon" get thrown around a lot these days, sometimes loosely. Let's clarify what they actually mean—and why 2026 brings some special examples.
What Makes a Supermoon "Super"?
The Moon doesn't orbit Earth in a perfect circle—it follows an ellipse. At its closest point (perigee), the Moon is about 356,500 km away. At its farthest (apogee), it's about 406,700 km away. That's a difference of roughly 50,000 km.
A "supermoon" occurs when a full moon coincides with the Moon being at or near perigee. The result: the Moon appears about 14% larger in diameter and up to 30% brighter than when it's at apogee.
Is this difference obvious to the naked eye? Honestly, not dramatically so—unless you're comparing photos taken at perigee and apogee side by side. But supermoons do appear noticeably bright, and they make for great photography subjects, especially at moonrise when they're near the horizon.
January 3, 2026: Wolf Moon Supermoon
The year kicks off with a full moon supermoon on January 3rd. This full moon—traditionally called the "Wolf Moon" in North American folklore—rises while the Moon is relatively close to Earth, appearing slightly larger and brighter than average.
May 31, 2026: Blue Moon + Mini Moon
Here's an interesting double feature. May 2026 has two full moons—one on May 1st and one on May 31st. The second full moon of a calendar month is traditionally called a "blue moon" (hence the phrase "once in a blue moon") .
But there's a twist: this particular full moon also coincides with the Moon being near apogee—its farthest point from Earth. So while it's a blue moon by timing, it's also technically a "mini moon" by distance. It won't look dramatically smaller, but it's an interesting astronomical coincidence.
Blue moons occur roughly every 2.5 to 3 years.
December 24, 2026: The Christmas Eve Supermoon—Year's Biggest Moon
Save the best for last. On Christmas Eve, the Moon reaches its closest point to Earth for the entire year—just 356,649 km away . This is the closest full moon since 2019 .
Picture it: the Moon rising over a winter landscape on Christmas Eve, bigger and brighter than it's been in seven years. It'll appear about 7% larger than an average full moon and roughly 15% brighter. Against a backdrop of holiday lights and perhaps a dusting of snow (depending on your location), it's a gift from the cosmos.
Mercury and Venus: The Inner Planets in 2026
Mercury and Venus orbit closer to the Sun than Earth does, which means they never stray far from the Sun in our sky. They alternate between appearing in the evening sky after sunset and the morning sky before sunrise.
Mercury: The Elusive Messenger
Mercury is the trickiest planet to spot because it never ventures far from the Sun's glare. But several times a year, it reaches "greatest elongation"—its maximum angular distance from the Sun—making it briefly visible.
| Date | Elongation | Sky Position | Viewing Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 19 | 18.1° West | Morning (Dawn) | Moderate |
| April 3 | 27.8° East | Evening (Dusk) | Best of year (evening) |
| June 15 | 24.5° West | Morning (Dawn) | Good |
| August 2 | 19.5° East | Evening (Dusk) | Moderate |
| October 12 | 25.2° West | Morning (Dawn) | Best of year (morning) |
| November 20 | 19.6° East | Evening (Dusk) | Moderate |
Best opportunities: April 3rd offers Mercury's greatest eastern elongation of the year (27.8°), making it visible in the evening sky after sunset. October 12th provides an excellent morning apparition at 25.2° west of the Sun .
Venus: The Evening Star Dominates 2026
Venus passes solar conjunction (behind the Sun) on January 6th, then emerges into the evening sky where it will dominate throughout most of 2026 . By mid-year, you won't be able to miss it—it'll be the brightest object in the sky after the Sun and Moon.
Greatest Elongation: August 15th at 45.9° East of the Sun
This is Venus at its best. It'll shine at magnitude -4.4 or brighter, visible for hours after sunset, climbing high in the western sky. Even in light-polluted cities, Venus will stand out unmistakably.
Venus reaches solar conjunction again on October 24th, transitioning back to the morning sky .
Mars, Jupiter, Saturn & Beyond: Opposition Season
Planets beyond Earth's orbit can reach "opposition"—the point where Earth passes directly between them and the Sun. At opposition, a planet rises in the east as the Sun sets in the west, remains visible all night, and shines at its brightest for the entire orbital cycle.
Mars: No Opposition in 2026
Mars moves slowly relative to Earth, reaching opposition only every 26 months or so. Unfortunately, 2026 falls between Mars oppositions—the next one isn't until February 19th, 2027 . Mars will be visible but relatively faint, a supporting player rather than a headliner this year.
Jupiter at Opposition: January 10, 2026
The gas giant takes center stage right at the start of the year. On January 10th, Jupiter reaches opposition in the constellation Gemini, blazing at magnitude -2.7 —brighter than any star in the sky.
This is the best time to observe Jupiter for the entire 13-month orbital cycle. Even modest binoculars will reveal its four largest moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto) as tiny points of light flanking the planet. A small telescope will show Jupiter's cloud bands and the famous Great Red Spot (when it rotates into view).
Bonus: The average plane of Jupiter's moons reaches its bidecadal edge-on point in late 2026, meaning the four Galilean moons will begin passing in front of each other—eclipsing and occulting each other in a complex series of events called "mutual phenomena" . This is rare and fascinating to observe through a telescope.
Saturn at Opposition: October 4, 2026
Saturn reaches its brightest on October 4th, shining at magnitude +0.3 in the constellation Cetus . Even at its brightest, Saturn appears only about as luminous as a first-magnitude star—but what it lacks in brilliance, it more than makes up for in beauty.
The Rings Are Returning: Saturn's rings appeared edge-on in 2025, making them nearly invisible. In 2026, they're gradually widening again, tilted about 10 degrees from our perspective and heading toward their widest opening of 27 degrees in 2031 . Through a telescope, you'll see more ring structure than you did last year—and the view will only improve over the coming years.
The Ice Giants: Uranus and Neptune
For those with binoculars or telescopes, the outer ice giants also reach opposition:
- Neptune: September 26th at magnitude +7.7 in Pisces
- Uranus: November 25th at magnitude +5.6 in Taurus
Uranus is technically visible to the naked eye under perfect conditions (magnitude +5.6 is right at the limit of human vision), but you'll need binoculars to spot it reliably. Neptune requires at least binoculars, and even then it appears as nothing more than a dim blue-green point. A telescope won't show surface detail on either world, but knowing you're looking at planets billions of miles away carries its own kind of wonder.
| Planet | Opposition Date | Constellation | Magnitude | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jupiter | January 10 | Gemini | -2.7 | Year's brightest planet; mutual moon events begin |
| Pluto | July 27 | Capricornus | +14.4 | Requires large telescope |
| Neptune | September 26 | Pisces | +7.7 | Requires binoculars minimum |
| Saturn | October 4 | Cetus | +0.3 | Rings reopening after 2025 edge-on |
| Uranus | November 25 | Taurus | +5.6 | Naked-eye visible under perfect conditions |
Planetary Conjunctions: When Worlds Align
Planets wander the ecliptic (hence the Greek name planetai, meaning "wanderers"), transitioning from dawn to dusk sky and back again. Sometimes, they slide past each other as seen from Earth, creating beautiful close pairings called conjunctions.
Best Planet-to-Planet Conjunctions of 2026
| Date | Planets | Separation | Elongation from Sun | Visibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 8 | Venus and Mars | 12' | <1° | Unobservable (too close to Sun) |
| January 29 | Venus and Mercury | 42' | 5° | Challenging (low in dusk) |
| March 8 | Venus and Saturn | 54' | 14° | Good (evening sky) |
| April 20 | Saturn and Mercury | 24' | 15° | Good (evening sky) |
| August 15 | Jupiter and Mercury | 30' | 12° | Fair (dawn sky, low) |
| November 14-16 | Mars and Jupiter | ~1° | Well-placed | Excellent (pre-dawn) |
November 14-16: Mars Meets Jupiter
This is the planetary conjunction to circle on your calendar. Mars and Jupiter will pass within about one degree of each other in the pre-dawn sky . You'll be able to fit both planets in a single binocular field of view—a ruddy orange dot (Mars) next to a brilliant white beacon (Jupiter).
Set your alarm for the hour before dawn. Look to the east. You won't need any equipment, though binoculars will make the view even more satisfying.
Notable Planetary Groupings
Several evenings in 2026 bring multiple planets together with the Moon and bright stars:
- June 16th: Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and the waxing crescent Moon all gather in the dusk sky
- November 2-3rd: The waning Moon (just past Last Quarter) passes Mars, Jupiter, and the bright star Regulus in the pre-dawn sky
- November 7th: The waning crescent Moon groups with Venus and the bright star Spica at dawn
- November 30th: The waning gibbous Moon joins Mars, Jupiter, and Regulus high in the pre-dawn sky
These are perfect opportunities for wide-field photography. A simple camera on a tripod—or even a smartphone—can capture these planetary portraits.
Lunar Occultations: The Moon Hides Planets and Stars
An occultation occurs when the Moon passes directly in front of a planet or star, temporarily hiding it from view. These events happen more often than you might think, but visible opportunities from any given location are relatively rare.
Planetary Occultations by the Moon in 2026
The Moon occults four planets a total of eleven times in 2026: Mercury (once), Venus (three times), Mars (three times), and Jupiter (four times) . Saturn is the only naked-eye planet that escapes the Moon's path this year.
| Date | Planet | Moon Phase | Visible From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 16 | Mars | 0.7% waning crescent | South Pacific | Unobservable |
| February 18 | Mercury | 2.6% waxing crescent | SE United States | — |
| June 17 | Venus | 12% waxing crescent | NE South America; US (daytime) | Fine dusk event |
| September 8 | Jupiter | 7% waning crescent | NE Asia; E. North America (daytime) | — |
| September 14 | Venus | 12% waxing crescent | SE Asia | Fine dusk event |
| October 5 | Mars | 31% waning crescent | Arctic North America | — |
| October 6 | Jupiter | 20% waning crescent | Eastern North America | Excellent viewing opportunity |
| November 2 | Mars | 42% waning crescent | South Pacific | — |
| November 2 | Jupiter | 38% waning crescent | SE Asia | — |
| November 7 | Venus | 2% waning crescent | S. South America | Daytime event |
| November 30 | Jupiter | 60% waning gibbous | S. South America | — |
Highlighted Events
June 17th Venus Occultation: The Moon passes in front of Venus in the dusk sky for viewers in northeastern South America. From the United States, the occultation happens during daylight hours but may still be observable with binoculars or a telescope if you know where to look .
October 6th Jupiter Occultation: Eastern North America gets a front-row seat as the Moon occults Jupiter—the largest planet in our solar system temporarily vanishing behind our small rocky satellite. Watch as Jupiter's disk slowly disappears limb by limb, then reappears on the other side .
Stellar Occultations: Bright Stars Hidden by the Moon
The Moon can also occult bright stars. Two first-magnitude stars—Regulus (in Leo) and Antares (in Scorpius)—are visited by the Moon multiple times in 2026 .
Regulus occultations occur throughout the year from various global locations. The events in February (visible from North America) and March (visible from northeastern Asia) are particularly well-placed .
The Moon also continues its regular visits to the open star clusters Messier 44 (the Beehive Cluster) and Messier 45 (the Pleiades), once per lunation .
Artemis II: Humans Return to Lunar Space
This one gives us chills.
On or around February 5th, 2026, NASA's Artemis II mission could launch—the first crewed mission toward the Moon since Apollo 17 in December 1972 . That's a 53-year gap. An entire generation has grown up, started careers, and raised children without seeing humans venture beyond low Earth orbit.
The Mission
Four astronauts—three from NASA and one from the Canadian Space Agency—will board the Orion spacecraft for a roughly 10-day voyage. They'll loop around the Moon and travel approximately 9,000 kilometers (about 5,800 miles) beyond it—farther from Earth than any human has ever ventured .
Let that sink in. The Apollo astronauts hold the current record for the greatest distance traveled from Earth. Artemis II will break that record.
What Artemis II Will Test
This isn't a lunar landing. That comes with Artemis III. Artemis II is the second Artemis mission after Artemis I's uncrewed lunar test in 2022, and it will test critical systems for the much-anticipated crewed landing :
- Life support systems
- Navigation systems
- Communication systems
- Safety protocols
- Orion spacecraft performance with humans aboard
The data gathered will inform Artemis III, which aims to land astronauts near the lunar south pole—a region of particular scientific interest due to permanently shadowed craters that may contain water ice.
Why It Matters
After half a century, we're going back. Not just with robots or rovers, but with people. Humans who will see Earth as a blue marble hanging in the blackness. Humans who will experience the profound isolation and perspective that only 24 people in history have ever known.
2026 might be the year it begins again.
Your Month-by-Month Observation Calendar
Here's your quick-reference guide. Print it. Pin it to your fridge. Save it to your phone. Screenshot it. Whatever works for you.
| Month | Headline Event | Also Notable |
|---|---|---|
| January | Jupiter at Opposition (Jan 10) | Wolf Moon Supermoon (Jan 3); Earth at Perihelion (Jan 3) |
| February | Artemis II Launch Window (~Feb 5) | Annular Solar Eclipse—Antarctica (Feb 17); Mercury-Moon occultation (Feb 18) |
| March | Total Lunar Eclipse (Mar 3) | Northward Equinox—aurora potential (Mar 20) |
| April | Saturn-Mercury Conjunction (Apr 20) | Lyrid Meteor Shower (Apr 22); Mercury greatest elongation (Apr 3) |
| May | Blue Moon + Mini Moon (May 31) | Full Flower Moon (May 1) |
| June | Venus-Moon Occultation (Jun 17) | Mercury, Venus, Jupiter & Moon grouping (Jun 16); Summer Solstice (Jun 21) |
| July | Earth at Aphelion (Jul 6) | Pluto at Opposition (Jul 27) |
| August | TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE + PERSEIDS (Aug 12) | Deep Partial Lunar Eclipse (Aug 28); Venus Greatest Elongation (Aug 15) |
| September | Neptune at Opposition (Sep 26) | Venus-Moon Occultation—Asia (Sep 14); Southward Equinox (Sep 23) |
| October | Saturn at Opposition (Oct 4) | Jupiter-Moon Occultation—E. North America (Oct 6); Mars crosses M44 (Oct 11) |
| November | Mars-Jupiter Conjunction (Nov 14-16) | Uranus at Opposition (Nov 25); Multiple planetary groupings all month |
| December | GEMINID METEOR SHOWER (Dec 14) | Christmas Eve Supermoon—closest since 2019 (Dec 24); Southward Solstice (Dec 21) |
How to Watch: Practical Tips for Every Level
You don't need expensive equipment. You don't need to drive hours into the wilderness. Here's how to get started, whether you're a complete beginner or looking to level up your observing.
For Meteor Showers
Find darkness. Light pollution is the enemy of meteor watching. Get away from streetlights and porch lights. Even a backyard or local park can work if you're not directly under artificial lighting.
Give your eyes time to adjust. It takes 20-30 minutes for your eyes to fully dark-adapt. No phone screens during this time! If you must check your phone, use a red flashlight app or cover it with red cellophane.
Lie flat. Bring a blanket, sleeping bag, or reclining lawn chair. Looking straight up gives you the widest view of the sky.
Look away from the radiant. Meteors appear to originate from a point in the sky (the "radiant"), but the longest, most impressive streaks appear some distance away from it.
Be patient. Meteors come in bursts. You might see three in a minute, then nothing for ten. Don't give up after five quiet minutes.
Dress warmer than you think you need to. Even in August, lying still outdoors at 2 AM gets cold.
For Eclipses
Solar eclipses require certified eclipse glasses. Regular sunglasses won't protect your eyes—not even close. Look for glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard. The only safe time to look without protection is during the brief minutes of totality itself.
Lunar eclipses are completely safe to watch. No special equipment needed. Just go outside and look up. Binoculars or a telescope will enhance the view of the Moon's surface during the eclipse, but they're not required.
For the August 12th total solar eclipse: If you're traveling to the path of totality, book accommodations now. Iceland and northern Spain will be packed with eclipse chasers. Arrive early to your viewing location—traffic and crowds can be significant.
For Planets
Know where to look. Free apps like Stellarium, SkySafari, or Star Walk can show you exactly where each planet is located tonight. Point your phone at the sky and the app will identify what you're seeing.
Binoculars help—a lot. A decent 10x50 pair costs under $100 and will reveal Jupiter's four largest moons as tiny points of light, hint at Saturn's rings (with steady hands and patience), and show craters and maria on our own Moon in stunning detail.
A small telescope opens new worlds. An 80-100mm refractor or a 6-8" Dobsonian reflector will show Jupiter's cloud bands, Saturn's rings clearly, the phases of Venus, and countless deep-sky objects. You don't need to spend thousands—quality beginner scopes are available for $200-400.
For Photography
Start simple. Even a smartphone can capture the Moon, bright planets, and wide-field shots of planetary conjunctions. Use a tripod or prop your phone against something stable.
Try long exposures for meteor showers. If your camera allows manual settings, set it on a tripod, use a wide-angle lens, open the aperture as wide as possible (f/2.8 or wider), set ISO to 1600-3200, and take 15-30 second exposures. You'll capture star trails and, with luck, meteor streaks.
For planetary detail, you need a telescope. Smartphone adapters let you hold your phone up to the eyepiece. The results won't rival professional images, but there's something magical about capturing your own photo of Jupiter's bands or Saturn's rings.
Final Thoughts: Why We Look Up
There's something deeply human about watching the sky. Our ancestors tracked the stars to plant crops, navigate oceans, and mark the passage of time. They told stories about the constellations, believed the planets were gods wandering among the fixed stars, and wondered—just like we do—what it all meant.
Today, we know more than they ever could have imagined. We know that Jupiter is a massive ball of hydrogen and helium with a storm larger than Earth that's been raging for centuries. We know that the light from distant stars has traveled for years, decades, or centuries to reach our eyes. We know that we're standing on a small rocky planet orbiting an ordinary star in one arm of a spiral galaxy containing hundreds of billions of other stars, in a universe containing hundreds of billions of other galaxies.
And yet, despite all that knowledge—or perhaps because of it—looking up still fills us with wonder.
2026 offers rare gifts. A total eclipse tracing across Iceland and Spain. The last total lunar eclipse for nearly three years. Meteor showers under moonless skies. The closest supermoon in seven years. Humans orbiting the Moon for the first time in half a century.
You don't have to witness all of it. But pick one event. Put it on your calendar. When the night comes, step outside. Look up.
You won't regret it.
This article was written for you by FreeAstroScience.com, where we explain complex scientific ideas in simple terms. We believe the universe belongs to everyone—not just astronomers with fancy degrees or people with expensive equipment. Our mission? To keep your mind active, curious, and engaged. Because, as Goya reminded us, the sleep of reason breeds monsters.
Come back soon. The sky is always changing, and we'll be here to guide you through it.
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