Astronomical Events in 2026: Meteor Showers, Eclipses, Supermoons & More

Your Guide to the 2026 Night Sky!

The 2026 night sky has a great mix of deep sky targets and special events. In this guide you’ll find everything you need to make the most of your nights out this year. We’ve included monthly moon phases, standout meteor showers, solar and lunar eclipses, and special planetary events. Everything here has been included to keep stargazing in 2026 simple and accessible, with month-by-month highlights and a short list of targets that are realistic for a variety of gear and sky conditions.

Jump to the best events of each month below:

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December

January 2026 - Jupiter at Opposition

Night Sky Events:

• Jan 3–4: The Quadrantid meteor shower peaks, and it can be one of the stronger showers even when the peak window is short.
• Jan 3: The Full Moon is a supermoon, so it can look slightly larger and brighter than average.
• Jan 10: Jupiter reaches opposition, which means it stays up all night and is at one of the best points of the year for viewing and photography.
• Jan 14: Look for the Moon near Saturn, because the pairing is easy to spot in the evening sky and it is great for photos.
• All month: January evenings are excellent for the winter sky, so this is a great month to build confidence in finding bright constellations and your first deep-sky objects.

Moon Phases:

• Full Moon: January 3
• Third Quarter: January 10
• New Moon: January 18
• First Quarter: January 26

February 2026 - An Annular Eclipse

Night Sky Events:

• Feb 17: An annular solar eclipse occurs, and it is visible from Antarctica and the southern Indian Ocean. It’s not visible from the USA, but it is still worth noting in a 2026 astronomy calendar, especially if you can travel!
• Feb 17: Observing near the New Moon helps because the darker sky makes nebulae and galaxies easier to see.
• Feb 19: Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation, which creates one of the better windows to try spotting Mercury low in the west after sunset.
• Feb 27: Venus and Saturn form a close evening pairing that looks great in binoculars and photographs well with a camera lens.
• All month: February remains a top month for bright winter targets like Orion, so beginners often find star-hopping easier from well-known constellations.

Moon Phases:

• Full Moon: February 1
• Third Quarter: February 9
• New Moon: February 17 (Solar Eclipse!)
• First Quarter: February 24

March 2026 - A Blood Moon

Night Sky Events:

• Mar 3: A total lunar eclipse occurs, and it is visible from North America, which makes it a very accessible event; everyone can watch a lunar eclipse without special glasses.
• Mar 8: Venus and Saturn form a close conjunction in the evening sky, and they may appear about a degree apart, which is striking in binoculars.
• Mid-March: The Moon passes near the Pleiades, which provides an easy guide to one of the sky’s brightest clusters.
• Mar 20: The March equinox occurs, and it signals the shift toward the spring galaxy season.
• All month: March is when many observers start enjoying galaxies more, because evening skies move toward constellations rich in bright Messier targets.

Moon Phases:

• Full Moon: March 3 (Lunar Eclipse!)
• Third Quarter: March 11
• New Moon: March 19 
• First Quarter: March 25

April 2026 - Galaxies Galore

Night Sky Events:

• Apr 3: Mercury reaches greatest western elongation, which is a good chance to spot it low in the east before sunrise.
• Apr 11: The Moon passes near Regulus and also near Saturn, which creates a helpful grouping for spring sky orientation.
• Apr 22–23: The Lyrid meteor shower peaks, and it is a reliable annual shower with occasional bright trails.
• Late April: Jupiter begins to fade in the evening, but Mercury and Venus can remain visible together low in the west at dusk.
• All month: April is one of the best months to learn galaxy-hopping, because consistent practice helps you improve quickly.

Moon Phases:

• Full Moon: April 2
• Third Quarter: April 10
• New Moon: April 17 
• First Quarter: April 24

Gear Used:

• ZWO ASI533MC Pro
• Celestron 8-inch RASA OTA

May 2026 - Once in a Blue Moon

Night Sky Events:

• May 1: The Moon passes near Saturn, which helps newer observers locate the ringed planet.May 6–7: The Eta Aquariid meteor shower peaks; rates are higher in the Southern Hemisphere, but it is still worth watching from the USA before dawn.
• Mid-May: Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter form a tight evening grouping, and it is easy to photograph with binocular-style framing or a camera lens.
• May 31: The Full Moon is a Blue Moon because it is the second full Moon in the same month.
• All month: May is excellent for globular clusters, because they are bright, impressive in modest telescopes, and less sensitive to light pollution than many faint nebulae.

Moon Phases:

• Full Moon: May 1 
• Third Quarter: May 9
• New Moon: May 16 
• First Quarter: May 23
• Full Moon: May 31

June 2026 - A Triple Conjunction

Night Sky Events: 

• Jun 8–9: A brilliant Venus–Jupiter conjunction occurs, and it can be one of the most striking planetary pairings of the year. Around Jun 12: Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter form a triple alignment in the western evening sky, which is a rare and photogenic sight in clear conditions.
• Jun 15: Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation, which can make it easier to spot low in the west after sunset.
• Jun 21: The June solstice occurs, which brings the shortest nights in the Northern Hemisphere, so a focused, realistic target list helps with this condensed timetable.
• All month: Milky Way-rich regions become more prominent later at night, which is great for binocular sweeping and wide-field imaging.

Moon Phases:

• Third Quarter: June 8
• New Moon: June 15 
• First Quarter: June 21
• Full Moon: June 30

Gear Used: 

• ZWO 2600MC Pro
• Sky-Watcher EQ6-R 
• Rokinon 135mm f/2 Lens

July 2026 - Milky Way Magic

Night Sky Events:

• Jul 10: The Moon passes near Saturn and Antares, which is a colorful grouping that shows how the Moon can guide you through summer constellations.
• Jul 15: Planning sessions around the New Moon is a simple way to secure darker skies for nebula observing.
• Late July: Venus and Saturn form a close evening pairing, which works well for wide-field photography and casual observing.
• Jul 28–29: The Delta Aquariid meteor shower peaks, and it is steady even when moonlight reduces the faintest meteors.
• All month: July is peak season for exploring dense Milky Way star fields with binoculars, because sweeping often reveals more targets than you can log in one night.

Moon Phases:

• Third Quarter: July 7
• New Moon: July 14
• First Quarter: July 21
• Full Moon: July 29

August 2026 - Totality & Powerful Perseids

Night Sky Events:

• Aug 12: A total solar eclipse occurs, and it is best enjoyed from locations along the path of totality; check eclipse maps for your location before you travel or plan an event.
  
  • • Solar eclipse safety matters: only view the Sun with certified eclipse glasses or a proper front-mounted solar filter, and never look through unfiltered binoculars, a camera lens, or a telescope.
• Aug 12–13: The Perseid meteor shower peaks, and this is an excellent year because there is no moonlight to interfere with viewing.
• Aug 15: Venus reaches its greatest eastern elongation, which is one of the best windows to see Venus high and bright after sunset.
• Aug 28: A partial lunar eclipse occurs, and it will be visible for most of North America, making it a great event for the general public and families.
• Late August: The Moon passes near Saturn and Antares, which provides an easy guide to summer sky landmarks.

Moon Phases:

• Third Quarter: August 6
• New Moon: August 12 (Solar Eclipse!)
• First Quarter: August 20
• Full Moon: August 28 (Lunar Eclipse!

September 2026 - Venus Impresses

Night Sky Events:

• Sep 10: The Moon passes near Saturn and Antares, which creates a beautiful photo opportunity.
• Mid-September: Venus and Saturn form another close evening pairing, which is excellent for wide-field imaging.
• Sep 23: The September equinox occurs, and it marks the seasonal shift toward longer nights in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Sep 25: Neptune reaches opposition, which is the best time to attempt viewing and imaging it; Neptune will still look small, so you will need a telescope and a star chart.
• All month: Venus will be brilliant all month, and September is often one of the most comfortable months to observe, and classic autumn targets like Andromeda become easier in the evening.

Moon Phases:

• Third Quarter: September 4
• New Moon: September 11
• First Quarter: September 18
• Full Moon: September 26

October 2026 - Saturn's Best View

Night Sky Events:

• Oct 4: Saturn reaches opposition, and this is one of the best times of year to see its rings and brighter moons.
• Oct 6: The Moon passes near Saturn, which makes Saturn easy to point out during a group observing session.
• Oct 12: Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation, which gives a chance to spot it low in the west after sunset.
• Oct 21–22: The Orionid meteor shower peaks, and it can improve after midnight when skies are darker.
• All month: The Pleiades dominates the eastern sky, and the California Nebula becomes a great target for anyone getting into narrowband imaging.

Moon Phases:

• Third Quarter: October 3
• New Moon: October 10
• First Quarter: October 18
• Full Moon: October 26

November 2026 - Supermoon Special

Night Sky Events:

• Nov 4–5: The Taurid meteor shower peaks, and it has a lower rate, but it can be fun because it lasts a long time.
• Nov 17–18: The Leonid meteor shower peaks, and it should be best after midnight when skies are darkest.
• Nov 20: Mercury reaches greatest western elongation, which is one of the better morning opportunities to spot Mercury before sunrise.
• Nov 25: Uranus reaches opposition, which is the best time of year to view it; Uranus typically appears as a tiny blue-green dot in most telescopes.
• Nov 24–25: The Full Moon is a supermoon, which can make it appear slightly larger and brighter than average, and it is excellent for lunar imaging.

Moon Phases:

• Third Quarter: November 1
• New Moon: November 9
• First Quarter: November 17
• Full Moon: November 24

December 2026 - Geminids on Display

Night Sky Events:

• Dec 8–9: Jupiter and Saturn form a close pairing in the evening sky, and it is easy to photograph with binocular-style framing or a camera lens.
• Dec 13–14: The Geminid meteor shower peaks, and it can be one of the strongest showers with many bright meteors.
• Dec 21: The December solstice occurs, bringing the longest nights in the Northern Hemisphere, which is ideal for deep-sky observing.
• Dec 21–22: The Ursid meteor shower peaks, and it is usually smaller, but it can be a nice bonus near the solstice.
• Dec 25: The Full Moon is a supermoon, so it may look slightly larger and brighter than average, which is great for lunar photography.

Moon Phases:

• Third Quarter: December 1
• New Moon: December 9
• First Quarter: December 17
• Full Moon: December 24
• Third Quarter: December 1

Solar and Lunar Eclipses of 2026:

• An annular solar eclipse occurs on Feb 17, and it is visible from Antarctica and the southern Indian Ocean.
• A total lunar eclipse occurs on Mar 3, and it is visible from North America.
• A total solar eclipse occurs on Aug 12, with partial visibility from only the northernmost parts of the USA.
• A partial lunar eclipse occurs on Aug 28, and it is visible from most of North America.

Understanding our Gear Recommendations:

• Naked eye and a chair: This setup is best for meteor showers and eclipses. Comfort matters, so bring a reclining chair and a blanket. Stay away from bright lights for 15-20 minutes to help your eyes adapt to the dark.
• Binoculars (7x50 or 10x50): Binoculars are the easiest upgrade for amateur astronomers. They make star clusters and large galaxies easier to spot and they help you learn your way around the sky quickly. When picking binoculars you will see two numbers given, such as 7x50 or 10x50, which are two of the best starting options you can use. The first number given will be the magnification in the system (so 7x enlarged or 10x enlarged), while the second number refers to the size of the optics with larger numbers gathering more light. So a 7x50 and 10x50 will show the same level of brightness on a target, but with different degrees of magnification.
• Phone camera: A phone camera works well for the Moon and bright planet pairings. It struggles with faint deep-sky objects, so consider upgrading to a smart telescope for more detailed captures.
• Mirrorless / DSLR camera with a tripod (no tracker): This setup is great for Moon photos and wide constellation scenes. For star fields, use shorter exposures and capture many frames for stacking.
• Mirrorless / DSLR camera with a star tracker: A star tracker is one of the biggest leaps forward for deep-sky imaging. It can turn “barely there” nebula captures into detailed images. They are much smaller and much less expensive than full size equatorial mounts, and offer an easy point of entry for anyone who already owns a DSLR, lenses, and a tripod.
• Equatorial mount (full-size tracking mount): An equatorial (EQ) mount is a heavier-duty tracking mount built for long-exposure astrophotography, especially with longer focal lengths and heavier gear. After polar alignment, it tracks the sky smoothly and keeps stars round for longer exposures, but it costs more and takes more setup time than a small star tracker.
• Smart telescopes: Smart telescopes are app-controlled telescopes that automatically align themselves and use built-in cameras with live stacking to reveal galaxies and nebulae that can be difficult to see visually from light-polluted areas. They are a great choice if you want an easier learning curve and shareable results without learning polar alignment, manual tracking, or complicated imaging software right away.  
• Small refractor (60-100 mm): This is beginner-friendly for imaging and excellent for low-power visual observing.These will be well-suited for wide-field targets and for observing bright objects. An 80mm refractor is among the most common entry level scopes, with smaller options prioritizing portability and larger options prioritizing performance.
• Medium telescopes (6-10 inch reflector, Newtonian, SCT): These telescopes are ideal for planets, globular clusters, and small bright nebulae, including planetary nebulae. Different types will be ideal for different targets and sky conditions, but generally speaking scopes in this size range will be great for the widest range of targets. As such this is the broadest category of scopes, providing better performance and range than the smaller options without requiring the labor of some truly massive setups like a large dobsonian.
• Dark site sites: These are locations with minimal light pollution, far away from population centers. Darker skies make nebulae and galaxies much easier to see and photograph.
• Helpful filters for visual observing (Optional):
• UHC filter: A UHC filter boosts contrast on many emission nebulae.
• OIII filter: An OIII filter often makes planetary nebulae and bright emission regions stand out dramatically.

Glossary:

1. Aperture: The diameter of a telescope’s main lens or mirror. A larger aperture collects more light, which usually means brighter views and more detail on faint objects.
2. Averted vision: A technique where you look slightly to the side of a faint object instead of directly at it. This uses the more sensitive part of your eye and can make dim targets easier to see.
3. Blue Moon: A calendar term meaning the second full Moon in the same month. It usually does not look blue.
4. Conjunction: When two objects appear close together in the sky (for example, Venus near Saturn). Conjunctions are often easy to enjoy with the naked eye or binoculars.
5. Elongation (greatest eastern or western elongation): How far Mercury or Venus appears from the Sun in the sky. Greatest elongation is often the best time to spot Mercury because it is farthest from the Sun’s glare.
6. Emission nebula: A glowing cloud of gas lit up by nearby hot, young stars. Many famous nebulae are emission nebulae.
7. Equinox: A day when daylight and nighttime are close to equal length worldwide. The March equinox marks spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and the September equinox marks fall.
8. Focal length: A camera or telescope measurement (in mm) that affects magnification and field of view. Short focal length gives a wider view; long focal length gives a tighter, more zoomed-in view.
9. Globular cluster: A dense, round swarm of very old stars. Globulars can look great even under moderate light pollution.
10. Light pollution: Unwanted artificial light that brightens the night sky. It reduces contrast and makes faint objects harder to see.
11. Meteor shower: A period when many meteors appear to radiate from the same part of the sky over predictable dates. Many showers are best after midnight and before dawn.
12. Narrowband (imaging): Filters that isolate specific wavelengths of light (commonly H-alpha and OIII). Narrowband imaging can reveal nebulae even under light-polluted skies.
13. New Moon: The Moon phase when the Moon is near the Sun and is not visible at night. This is usually the best part of the month for faint galaxies and nebulae.
14. Open cluster: A loose group of stars born from the same cloud. Open clusters are often excellent beginner targets because many look great in binoculars or at low telescope magnification.
15. Opposition: When a planet is opposite the Sun in the sky from Earth. Planets at opposition are typically closest, brightest, and visible most of the night.
16. Planetary nebula: A glowing shell of gas ejected by a dying star. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with planets.
17. Quarter Moon: The Moon phase when half the Moon’s disk is illuminated as seen from Earth (First Quarter or Last Quarter). These phases are excellent for viewing craters and shadows along the lunar terminator.
18. Star-hopping: Finding a faint object by moving step-by-step from bright, easy stars using a finder scope, binoculars, or a chart/app.
19. Star tracker (tracking mount): A device that automatically rotates a camera or telescope to follow the stars as Earth turns. This enables longer exposures without star trailing.
20. Supernova remnant: The expanding cloud of gas and dust left behind after a star explodes as a supernova. Many appear as faint, delicate filaments and often respond well to OIII filters or narrowband imaging.