Astronomy Calendar 2026: All Major Celestial Events of the Year

Dec 25, 2025

~57 min

Topics:Skywatching Meteor Showers Planets & Moons Stars

Wondering what’s happening in the night sky throughout 2026? Below you’ll find a month-by-month guide to all notable astronomical events — from Moon-planet encounters to eclipses and major meteor showers. Some especially exciting events are marked with a star (⭐) — you can also find them collected in our separate articles: “Top Astronomical Events of 2026” and “Underrated Sky Events in 2026”. To find out when an event will be visible from your exact location, use the Sky Tonight app.

Astronomical events in January 2026
Astronomical events in February 2026
Astronomical events in March 2026
Astronomical events in April 2026
Astronomical events in May 2026
Astronomical events in June 2026
Astronomical events in July 2026
Astronomical events in August 2026
Astronomical events in September 2026
Astronomical events in October 2026
Astronomical events in November 2026
Astronomical events in December 2026
All astronomical events of 2026: Bottom line

Astronomical events in January 2026

Here are some notable celestial events occurring in January 2026. For a detailed guide for this month, read our dedicated article. All these events are also listed in the astronomy calendar in Sky Tonight.

January 1: Moon near Aldebaran

On January 1, the Moon will be close to the red star Aldebaran (mag 0.9) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 9°31'. They will be in the constellation Taurus and will look best in the evening, when they climb high in the sky.

January 3: Full Moon (Supermoon)

January’s Full Moon is traditionally known as the Wolf Moon, and this year it will also be the first Supermoon of the year! At the moment of the Full Moon, our natural satellite will be in the constellation Gemini.

Read more: Wolf Supermoon in January 2026

January 3: Moon near Jupiter

On January 3, the 99%-illuminated Moon will be close to Jupiter (mag -2.6) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°36'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini.

January 3–4: Quadrantids’ peak ⭐

Quadrantids 2025 — The Quadrantid meteors seem to emanate from the constellation Bootes, but you don't have to focus only on that area. To catch the most meteors, try to keep as much of the sky in view as possible.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

Meteors per hour: 80 (only ≈10 visible due to Full Moon)
Moon illumination: 100%
Best visible from: Northern Hemisphere

The first major meteor shower of the year is the mighty Quadrantids, which will peak on the night of January 3–4. Under suitable conditions, the Quadrantids can provide dozens of shooting stars per hour. Unfortunately, this year, observing conditions are unfavorable as the peak occurs during the Full Moon. However, you should still give this prolific meteor shower a chance! Use the Sky Tonight app to find the Quadrantids’ radiant in your location — the higher it rises above the horizon, the more meteors you’re likely to see.

Read more: How to See the Quadrantids in 2026

January 4: Moon near Pollux

On January 4, the nearly full Moon (99%-illuminated) will be close to Pollux (mag 1.2) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 2°58'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini. Bright Jupiter (mag -2.6) will also shine nearby.

January 4: 24P/Schaumasse gets closest to Earth

On January 4, Comet 24P/Schaumasse will make its closest approach to Earth. Around this time, the comet is expected to shine at about magnitude 7.8, making it a target for telescopes and high-magnification binoculars under dark skies. The comet will be visible from both hemispheres, appearing higher in the sky for observers in the Northern Hemisphere. To locate Comet 24P/Schaumasse in your sky, use the Sky Tonight app.

Read more: Upcoming Comets Visible in 2026

January 5: Moon near the Beehive Cluster

On January 5, the 96%-illuminated Moon will be close to the Beehive Cluster (mag 3.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°28'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Cancer.

January 6: Moon near Regulus

On January 6, the 86%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the blue-white star Regulus (mag 1.3) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°25'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Leo. Also, a lunar occultation of Regulus will be visible across western Russia, Mongolia, northern China, Korea, and Japan.

January 8: 24P/Schaumasse reaches perihelion

On January 8, Comet 24P/Schaumasse will reach its perihelion, the closest point to the Sun in its orbit. Around this time, the comet is expected to brighten to about magnitude 7.7, making it observable with telescopes or high-magnification binoculars under dark skies. The comet will be visible from both hemispheres, appearing higher in the sky for observers in the Northern Hemisphere. To locate Comet 24P/Schaumasse in your sky, use the Sky Tonight app.

Read more: Upcoming Comets Visible in 2026

January 10: Jupiter at opposition ⭐

January: Jupiter at opposition — Jupiter will be visible all night long, from sunset to sunrise, reaching its highest point around midnight. Look for it in the constellation Gemini.
©Vito Technology

On January 10, Jupiter will be directly opposite the Sun as seen from Earth. This is the best time to observe and photograph Jupiter, as it will be at maximum brightness and visible all night. During the opposition, Jupiter will shine with a magnitude of -2.7 in the constellation Gemini. It will be easily visible to the naked eye. To quickly find Jupiter in the sky, use the Sky Tonight app.

Read more: Planetary Oppositions

January 10: Moon near Spica

On January 10, the 54%-illuminated Moon will be close to the blue-white star Spica (mag 0.9) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°45'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Virgo.

January 14: Moon near Antares ⭐

Occultation of Antares (2026-01-14) — Visibility map of the lunar occultation of Antares on January 14, 2026.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

On January 14, the 14%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the bright red star Antares (mag 1.0) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°33'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Scorpius. Also, observers in Australia will be able to see an occultation — the Moon covering Antares in the sky! You can find the occultation visibility map in the Sky Tonight app.

January 20: C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) reaches perihelion ⭐

On January 20, Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) will make its closest approach to the Sun. It’s expected to become visible in binoculars in the Southern Hemisphere. In the most optimistic scenario, it may reach about magnitude 5, making it an easy target even with small binoculars. To locate Comet C/2024 E1 in your sky, use the Sky Tonight app.

Read more: Upcoming Comets Visible in 2026

January 23: Moon near Saturn

On January 23, the 20%-illuminated Moon will be close to Saturn (mag 1.0) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°49'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Pisces.

January 23: Moon near Neptune

On January 23, the 22%-illuminated Moon will be close to Neptune (mag 7.8) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°08'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Pisces.

January 27: Moon near the Pleiades

On January 27, the 69%-illuminated Moon will be close to the Pleiades star cluster (mag 1.2) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°02'. You can see them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Taurus. Observers across Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, and parts of western Asia will see a lunar occultation of the Pleiades.

January 27: Moon near Uranus

On January 27, the 66%-illuminated Moon will be close to Uranus (mag 5.7) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 5°16'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Taurus.

Read more: Uranus — The Coldest Planet

January 28: Moon near Aldebaran

On January 28, the Moon will pass close to the red star Aldebaran (mag 0.9) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 10°05'. They will be in the constellation Taurus and will look most striking in the early evening, dominating the twilight sky.

January 31: Moon near Jupiter

On January 31, the 95%-illuminated Moon will be close to Jupiter (mag -2.6) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°47'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini.

Take a quiz: How Much Do You Know About Jupiter?

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January 31: Moon near Pollux

On January 31, the 97%-illuminated Moon will be close to the yellow-orange star Pollux (mag 1.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 2°57'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini.

Astronomical events in February 2026

February 1: Full Moon

February’s Full Moon is traditionally known as the Snow Moon. At the moment of the Full Moon, our natural satellite will be in the constellation Cancer, near the famous Beehive star cluster.

Read more: Snow Moon in February 2026

February 1: Moon near the Beehive Cluster

On February 1, the 100%-illuminated Moon will be close to the Beehive Cluster (mag 3.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°26'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Cancer.

February 3: Moon near Regulus

On February 3, the 98%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the blue-white star Regulus (mag 1.3) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°20'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Leo. A lunar occultation of Regulus will be visible from most of the United States and Canada, Greenland, and parts of West Africa.

February 7: Moon near Spica

On February 7, the 70%-illuminated Moon will be close to the blue-white star Spica (mag 0.9) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°40'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Virgo.

Read more: Spica – Brightest Star In Virgo

February 11: Moon near Antares

On February 11, the 35%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the bright red star Antares (mag 1.0) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°40'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Scorpius. In addition, a lunar occultation of Antares will be visible from Antarctica, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, the eastern Falkland Islands, and Bouvet Island.

February 17: Annular solar eclipse

On February 17, a spectacular annular solar eclipse will occur. Unfortunately, the “ring of fire” phase will be visible only from Antarctica. A partial eclipse will be seen from the far south of Argentina and Chile, as well as across much of southern Africa. You can find the eclipse visibility map in the Sky Tonight app.

February 17: C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) gets closest to Earth ⭐

On February 17, Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) will make its closest approach to Earth. Around this date, the comet will become visible to observers in the Northern Hemisphere. It will have a magnitude of about 8 and will appear very low above the southwestern horizon about an hour after sunset. Use powerful binoculars or a small telescope for observation. To find Comet C/2024 E1 in your sky, use the Sky Tonight app.

Read more: Upcoming Comets Visible in 2026

February 18: Moon near Mercury

On February 18, the 2%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to Mercury (mag -0.5) in the constellation Aquarius. The distance between the objects will be only 0°06'. Mercury will be visible to the naked eye, and the Moon’s extremely thin crescent may also be spotted without optical aid if the sky is dark and clear. In Mexico, the Contiguous United States, eastern Australia, and New Zealand, an occultation will occur — the Moon will pass in front of Mercury.

February 19: Mercury at greatest eastern elongation

On February 19, Mercury will reach its maximum angular separation from the Sun (18°07'), making this the best time to observe the planet. Mercury will shine at a magnitude of -0.6 in the evening sky. You can see it with the naked eye in the constellation Aquarius.

Read more: What Is Elongation in Astronomy

February 19: Moon near Saturn

On February 19, the 6%-illuminated Moon will be close to Saturn (mag 1.0) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 4°04'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Pisces.

February 19: Moon near Neptune

On February 19, the 6%-illuminated Moon will be close to Neptune (mag 7.8) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°15'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Pisces.

February 23: Moon near Uranus

On February 23, the 43%-illuminated Moon will be close to Uranus (mag 5.7) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 5°21'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Taurus.

Read more: Uranus — The Coldest Planet

February 24: Moon near the Pleiades

On February 24, the 45%-illuminated Moon will be close to the Pleiades star cluster (mag 1.2) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°07'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Taurus.

February 27: Moon near Jupiter

On February 27, the 80%-illuminated Moon will be close to Jupiter (mag -2.4) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°54'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini.

February 27: Moon near Pollux

On February 27, the 84%-illuminated Moon will be close to the yellow-orange star Pollux (mag 1.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 2°54'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini.

February 28: Moon near the Beehive Cluster

On February 28, the 92%-illuminated Moon will be close to the Beehive Cluster (mag 3.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°27'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Cancer.

February 28: Six-planet alignment ⭐

February: Large Planet Parade — Look for a beautiful arc of planets stretching from the western horizon after sunset on February 28.
©Vito Technology

Around February 28, six planets — Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn, Neptune, Venus, and Mercury — will line up in a rare planetary alignment. You can see the planets about an hour after sunset on the western horizon. Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury will be bright enough to spot with the naked eye, while binoculars or a small telescope can help you find Uranus and Neptune. To easily find all the planets in your sky, use the Star Walk 2 app — it has a “Planet Walk” feature created specifically for observing “planet parades”.

Read more: Planetary Alignments Explained

Astronomical events in March 2026

March 2: Moon near Regulus

On March 2, the 99%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the blue-white star Regulus (mag 1.3) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°20'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Leo. A lunar occultation of Regulus will also be visible from eastern Russia, Mongolia, northern China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan.

March 3: Full Moon

The March Full Moon is traditionally called the Worm Moon. This year, it coincides with a total lunar eclipse, so it can be nicknamed the “Blood Worm Moon”. At the moment of full phase, the Moon will lie in the constellation Leo.

Read more: Worm Moon in March 2026

March 3: Total lunar eclipse ⭐

March: Lunar Eclipse — Visibility map of the total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026. To find out the exact time and visibility of the lunar eclipse in your location, use the Eclipse Guide app.
©Vito Technology

On March 3, the Moon will turn red in the sky during a total lunar eclipse. The eclipse will be visible from parts of Europe, Asia, Australia, North America, South America, the Arctic, and Antarctica. You don’t need any special equipment to watch this event, though binoculars can make the view even better. You can find the eclipse visibility map in the Sky Tonight app.

March 6: Moon near Spica

On March 6, the 89%-illuminated Moon will be close to the blue-white star Spica (mag 0.9) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°41'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Virgo.

Read more: Spica – Brightest Star In Virgo

March 8: Venus near Saturn ⭐

On the evening of March 8, brilliant Venus (mag -3.9) will pass close to Saturn (mag 1.0) in the constellation Pisces. To see them, look low above the western horizon about an hour after sunset. Both planets are visible to the naked eye; to find them in your sky, use the Sky Tonight app.

March 10: Moon near Antares

On March 10, the 58%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the bright red star Antares (mag 1.0) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 0°41'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Scorpius. In addition, a lunar occultation of Antares will be visible from Antarctica, Madagascar, French Southern Territories, and Mauritius.

March 15: Mars near Mercury

On March 15, reddish Mars (mag 1.1) will be close to the elusive planet Mercury (mag 2.0) in the sky. The distance between the two planets will be 3°21'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Aquarius.

March 17: Moon near Mercury

On March 17, the 2%-illuminated Moon will be close to Mercury (mag 1.6) in the constellation Aquarius. The distance between the objects will be 1°45'. Mercury will be visible to the naked eye, and the Moon’s thin crescent may also be spotted without optical aid if the sky is dark and clear.

March 17: Moon near Mars

On March 17, the 2%-illuminated Moon will be close to reddish Mars (mag 1.1) in the constellation Aquarius. The distance between the objects will be 1°21'. Mars will be visible to the naked eye, and with a dark sky, the Moon’s thin crescent may also be seen without optical aid.

Read more: Mars — Explore the Red Planet

March 18: 88P/Howell reaches perihelion

On March 18, Comet 88P/Howell will reach its perihelion, the closest point to the Sun in its orbit. Around this time, the comet is expected to reach a brightness of about magnitude 10, making it observable through telescopes under dark skies. The comet will be best visible from the Southern Hemisphere, appearing low above the eastern horizon before sunrise. To find Comet 88P/Howell in your sky, use the Sky Tonight app.

Read more: Upcoming Comets Visible in 2026

March 18: Moon near Mars and Mercury ⭐

On the morning of March 18, the 2%-illuminated Moon will get close to Mercury (mag 1.6) and Mars (mag 1.1) in the constellation Aquarius. Both planets will be visible to the naked eye, and the Moon’s very thin crescent may also be seen without optical aid under a dark, clear sky. Look low above the eastern horizon to catch this celestial trio — the view will be best from near-equatorial locations and the Southern Hemisphere, where the planets sit higher above the horizon in twilight. Use the Sky Tonight app to quickly locate the Moon and planets in the sky.

March 20: Moon near Venus

On March 20, the 2%-illuminated Moon will be close to Venus (mag -3.9) in the constellation Pisces. The distance between the objects will be 4°07'. Dazzling Venus will be easily visible to the naked eye, and the Moon’s thin crescent may also be seen without binoculars if the sky is dark and clear.

March 20: March equinox

On March 20, an equinox will occur, marking the start of astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. It will also bring nearly equal day and night worldwide.

March 23: Moon near Uranus

On March 23, the 22%-illuminated Moon will be close to Uranus (mag 5.8) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 5°19'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Taurus.

Read more: Uranus — The Coldest Planet

March 23: Moon near the Pleiades

On March 23, the 23%-illuminated Moon will be close to the Pleiades star cluster (mag 1.2) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°04'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Taurus.

March 26: Moon near Jupiter

On March 26, the 58%-illuminated Moon will be close to Jupiter (mag -2.2) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°49'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini.

March 27: Moon near Pollux

On March 27, the 64%-illuminated Moon will be close to the yellow-orange star Pollux (mag 1.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 2°58'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini.

March 28: Moon near the Beehive Cluster

On March 28, the 75%-illuminated Moon will be close to the Beehive Cluster (mag 3.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°25'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Cancer.

March 29: Moon near Regulus

On March 29, the 89%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the blue-white star Regulus (mag 1.3) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°18'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Leo. Also, a lunar occultation of Regulus will be visible from parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, and western Russia.

Astronomical events in April 2026

April 2: Full Moon

April’s Full Moon is traditionally known as the Pink Moon. This Full Moon is special because it determines the date of Easter in 2026. At the moment of the Full Moon, our natural satellite will be in the constellation Virgo.

Read more: Pink Moon in April 2026

April 3: Moon near Spica

On April 3, the 99%-illuminated Moon will be close to the blue-white star Spica (mag 0.9) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°38'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Virgo.

Read more: Spica – Brightest Star In Virgo

April 3: Mercury at greatest western elongation — best visibility of the year

On April 3, Mercury will reach its maximum angular separation from the Sun of the year — 27°49'. Don’t miss your best chance to observe the planet! Mercury will have a magnitude of 0.3 and will be positioned in the constellation Aquarius. You can see it with the naked eye, low in the morning sky.

Read more: What Is Elongation in Astronomy

April 6: Moon near Antares

On April 6, the 80%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the bright red star Antares (mag 1.0) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°35'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Scorpius. Also, a lunar occultation of Antares will be visible in Antarctica, Madagascar, French Southern Territories, and Mauritius.

April 15: Moon near Mercury

On April 15, the 5%-illuminated Moon will be close to Mercury (mag 0.0) in the constellation Pisces. The distance between the two objects will be 4°33'; both of them will be visible to the naked eye.

April 15: Moon near Neptune

On April 15, the 4%-illuminated Moon will be close to Neptune (mag 7.8) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°26'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Pisces.

April 15: Moon near Mars

On April 15, the 3%-illuminated Moon will be close to reddish Mars (mag 1.2) in the constellation Aquarius. The distance between the objects will be 3°16'. Mars will be visible to the naked eye, while the Moon’s thin crescent may be hard to spot in the bright twilight sky.

Read more: Mars — Explore the Red Planet

April 16: Moon near Saturn

On April 16, the 3%-illuminated Moon will be close to Saturn (mag 0.9) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 4°38'. The Moon will be in Pisces, while Saturn will be in Cetus. You can observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars.

April 18: Four-planet alignment ⭐

April Planetary Alignment — Saturn, Mars, Mercury, and Neptune in a planetary alignment on April 18, 2026, as seen from the Southern Hemisphere.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

Around April 18, Saturn, Mars, Mercury, and Neptune will gather in a small patch of sky spanning only about 4°. This alignment will be challenging to observe because the planets sit very close to the Sun. Your best chance is to look low above the eastern horizon roughly an hour before sunrise. Observers in the Southern Hemisphere will have the advantage, as the planets rise a bit higher while the sky is still darker.

Saturn, Mars, and Mercury should be visible to the naked eye. Neptune is usually visible with a small telescope, but in bright twilight it will likely be too faint to pick out, even with optics. To easily find all the planets in your sky, use the Star Walk 2 app — its “Planet Walk” feature is designed specifically for tracking planet parades.

April 19: Moon near Venus

On April 19, the 5%-illuminated Moon will be close to Venus (mag -3.9). The Moon will be in the constellation Aries, while Venus will be positioned on the border between Aries and Taurus. The distance between the objects will be 4°35'. You can observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars.

April 19: Moon near the Pleiades

On April 19, the 7%-illuminated Moon will be close to the Pleiades star cluster (mag 1.2) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 0°58'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Taurus.

April 19: Mars near Saturn

On April 19, reddish Mars (mag 1.2) will be close to Saturn (mag 0.9) in the sky. The distance between the two planets will be 3°21'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Cetus.

April 19: Moon near Uranus

On April 19, the 7%-illuminated Moon will be close to Uranus (mag 5.8) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 5°12'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Taurus.

Read more: Uranus — The Coldest Planet

April 20: Mercury near Saturn

On April 20, Mercury (mag -0.1) will be close to Saturn (mag 0.9) in the sky. The distance between the two planets will be just 0°27'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Cetus.

April 20: Mercury near Mars

On April 20, Mercury (mag -0.1) will be close to Mars (mag 1.2) in the sky. The distance between the two planets will be 1°39'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Cetus.

April 22: Lyrids’ peak ⭐

The Lyrids’ radiant (the point from which the meteors appear to emanate) is located in the constellation Lyra.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

Meteors per hour: Up to 18
Moon illumination: 38%
Best visible from: Northern Hemisphere

On April 22, the Lyrid meteor shower will reach its maximum activity. In 2026, observing conditions for the Lyrids will be fine: the waxing crescent Moon won’t be too much of a problem. It’s better to start observing the Lyrids after about 22:30 local time in mid-northern latitudes and after midnight in mid-southern locations. Use the Sky Tonight app to find the Lyrids’ radiant in your location — the higher it rises above the horizon, the more meteors you’re likely to see.

April 22: Moon near Jupiter

On April 22, the 37%-illuminated Moon will be close to Jupiter (mag -2.0) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°29'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini.

April 23: Moon near Pollux

On April 23, the 41%-illuminated Moon will be close to the yellow-orange star Pollux (mag 1.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°08'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini.

April 24: Venus near the Pleiades

On April 24, Venus (mag -3.9) will pass close to the Pleiades star cluster (mag 1.2) in the constellation Taurus. The distance between the two objects will be 3°29'. Dazzling Venus will be easy to spot with the naked eye, while seeing the Pleiades without binoculars will require dark, clear skies.

April 24: Moon near the Beehive Cluster

On April 24, the 53%-illuminated Moon will be close to the Beehive Cluster (mag 3.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°14'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Cancer.

April 25: C/2025 R3 reaches maximum brightness ⭐

The path of Comet C/2025 R3 through the constellations in April 2026.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

Around April 25, Comet C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS) will reach its peak brightness, estimated at approximately magnitude 7.7. This means it will be visible through binoculars. According to some forecasts, it might even brighten up to magnitude 3.7 and become visible to the naked eye! Visibility conditions will depend on your location: Northern Hemisphere observers may catch it in the morning sky in late April, while those in the Southern Hemisphere could see it in the evening sky in early May. Use the Sky Tonight app to track the comet in your location.

Read more: Upcoming Comets Visible in 2026

April 26: Moon near Regulus

On April 26, the 70%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the blue-white star Regulus (mag 1.3) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°20'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Leo. A lunar occultation of Regulus will be visible in Brazil, the Contiguous United States, Colombia, and Venezuela.

April 30: Moon near Spica

On April 30, the 98%-illuminated Moon will be close to the blue-white star Spica (mag 0.9) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°38'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Virgo.

Read more: Spica – Brightest Star In Virgo

Astronomical events in May 2026

May 1: Full Moon (Micromoon)

May’s Full Moon is traditionally known as the Flower Moon. In 2026, it will be the first of two Full Moons in May. It will also be a Micromoon — the opposite of a Supermoon. At the moment of the Full Moon, our natural satellite will be in the constellation Libra.

Read more: Flower Moon in May 2026

May 4: Moon near Antares

On May 4, the 94%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the bright red star Antares (mag 1.0) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°26'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Scorpius. Also, a lunar occultation of Antares will be visible in Antarctica, Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia.

May 5–6: Eta Aquariids’ peak ⭐

Eta-Aquariid meteor shower 2025 — The Eta Aquariids seem to originate from the constellation Aquarius, specifically from a point near the faint star Eta Aquarii, which gives this meteor shower its name.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

Meteors per hour: Up to 50
Moon illumination: 82%
Best visible from: Southern Hemisphere

The Eta Aquariid meteor shower peaks on the night of May 5–6. Under dark skies, observers in the Southern Hemisphere can see up to 50 meteors per hour, while those north of the equator may spot around 10–30 shooting stars per hour. In 2026, however, viewing conditions will be challenging: the shower peaks just five days after the Full Moon, so bright moonlight will wash out many faint meteors. Use the Sky Tonight app to find the Eta Aquariids’ radiant in your location — the higher it rises above the horizon, the more meteors you’re likely to see.

May 13: Moon near Neptune

On May 13, the 17%-illuminated Moon will be close to Neptune (mag 7.8) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°40'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Pisces.

May 13: Moon near Saturn

On May 13, the 13%-illuminated Moon will be close to Saturn (mag 0.9) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 5°03'. The Moon will be in Pisces, while Saturn will be in Cetus. You can observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars.

May 14: Moon near Mars

On May 14, the 5%-illuminated Moon will be close to reddish Mars (mag 1.3) in the constellation Pisces. The distance between the objects will be 4°41'. Mars will be visible to the naked eye, and with a dark sky, the Moon’s thin crescent may also be seen without optical aid.

Read more: Mars — Explore the Red Planet

May 19: Moon near Venus

On May 19, the 8%-illuminated Moon will be close to Venus (mag -3.9) in the constellation Taurus. The distance between the objects will be 2°56'. Both dazzling Venus and the Moon’s thin crescent will be visible to the naked eye.

May 20: Moon near Jupiter

On May 20, the 20%-illuminated Moon will be close to Jupiter (mag -1.9) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°00'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini.

May 20: Moon near Pollux

On May 20, the 20%-illuminated Moon will be close to the yellow-orange star Pollux (mag 1.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°21'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini.

May 21: Moon near the Beehive Cluster

On May 21, the 30%-illuminated Moon will be close to the Beehive Cluster (mag 3.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°00'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Cancer.

May 23: Moon near Regulus

On May 23, the 48%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the blue-white star Regulus (mag 1.3) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°20'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Leo. A lunar occultation of Regulus will be visible from parts of Oceania.

May 27: Moon near Spica

On May 27, the 87%-illuminated Moon will be close to the blue-white star Spica (mag 0.9) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°45'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Virgo.

Read more: Spica – Brightest Star In Virgo

May 31: Moon near Antares

On May 31, the 100%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the bright red star Antares (mag 1.0) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°23'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Scorpius. In addition, a lunar occultation of Antares will be visible from Argentina, eastern Australia, Chile, and New Zealand.

May 31: Full Moon (Blue Moon, Micromoon) ⭐

May: Blue Micromoon — The Full Moon on May 31 will be the smallest of the year, appearing about 5.5% smaller than an average Full Moon.
©Vito Technology

The second Full Moon in May 2026 — called a Blue Moon — will occur on May 31. This Full Moon also falls near the Moon’s apogee (farthest point from Earth), making it the year’s smallest Micromoon. At the moment of the Full Moon, our natural satellite will be in the constellation Scorpius. Use the Sky Tonight app to find out the moonrise time for your location, so you don’t miss the Full Moon's dramatic appearance above the horizon.

Read more: Blue Moon in May 2026

Astronomical events in June 2026

June 7: Venus near Pollux

On June 7, Venus (mag -4.0) will pass close to the star Pollux (mag 1.1) in the constellation Gemini. The distance between the two objects will be 4°40'. Both Venus and Pollux will be visible to the naked eye.

June 9: Venus near Jupiter ⭐

June: Venus near Jupiter — Venus and Jupiter, the two brightest planets, will shine close together in the constellation Gemini.
©Vito Technology

On June 9, Venus and Jupiter — the two brightest planets in the sky — will appear very close together. They’ll come within just 1°30′ of each other in the constellation Gemini. Look for the pair in the evening sky after sunset — both planets will be easy to spot with the naked eye. Venus will blaze at mag -4.0, while Jupiter will shine at mag -1.9. Use the Sky Tonight app to quickly find both planets in your sky.

June 9: Moon near Neptune

On June 9, the 37%-illuminated Moon will be close to Neptune (mag 7.8) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°57'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Pisces.

June 10: Moon near Saturn

On June 10, the 30%-illuminated Moon will be close to Saturn (mag 0.8) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 5°32'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Pisces.

Take a quiz: How Much Do You Know About Saturn?

Saturn Quiz: Lord of the Rings… and Moons!

Think you know Saturn? 🪐 Take this quiz to test your knowledge about its iconic rings, improbable-looking storms, mysterious moons, and other features!

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June 12: Moon near Mars

On June 12, the 8%-illuminated Moon will be close to reddish Mars (mag 1.3) in the constellation Aries. The distance between the objects will be 5°23'. Mars will be visible to the naked eye, and with a dark sky, the Moon’s thin crescent may also be seen without optical aid.

Read more: Mars — Explore the Red Planet

June 12: Three-planet alignment ⭐

Planetary Alignment June 2026 — Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus in a planetary alignment on June 12, 2026, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

Around June 12, a mini three-planet alignment will brighten the evening sky. About an hour after sunset, look above the western horizon to spot Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus lined up in a neat diagonal. All three planets will be easy to see with the naked eye, gathered within about a 10° sky sector. Starting around June 16, a very thin crescent Moon will also join the lineup, making the view even more picturesque. To easily find all the planets in your sky, use the Star Walk 2 app — its “Planet Walk” feature is designed specifically for tracking planet parades.

June 13: Moon near the Pleiades

On June 13, the 4%-illuminated Moon will be close to the Pleiades star cluster (mag 1.2) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 0°56'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Taurus. The Moon’s very thin crescent may be hard to spot in bright twilight or when very low above the horizon.

June 13: Moon near Uranus

On June 13, the 3%-illuminated Moon will be close to Uranus (mag 5.8) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 5°11'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Taurus. The Moon’s very thin crescent may be hard to spot in bright twilight or when very low above the horizon.

Read more: Uranus — The Coldest Planet

June 15: Mercury at greatest eastern elongation

On June 15, Mercury will reach its maximum angular separation from the Sun (24°31'), making this the best time to observe the planet. Mercury will shine at a magnitude of 0.4 in the evening sky. You can see it with the naked eye in the constellation Gemini.

Read more: What Is Elongation in Astronomy

June 16: Moon near Mercury

On June 16, the 4%-illuminated Moon will be close to Mercury (mag 0.6) in the constellation Gemini. The distance between the two objects will be 2°32'. Mercury will be visible to the naked eye, while the Moon’s very thin crescent may be hard to spot in bright twilight.

June 17: Moon near Pollux

On June 17, the 6%-illuminated Moon will be close to the yellow-orange star Pollux (mag 1.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°31'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini. The Moon’s very thin crescent may be hard to spot in bright twilight or when very low above the horizon.

June 17: Moon near Jupiter

On June 17, the 7%-illuminated Moon will be close to Jupiter (mag -1.8) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 2°27'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini. Keep in mind that the Moon’s thin crescent may be hard to spot in bright twilight or when very low above the horizon.

June 17: Moon near Venus ⭐

Lunar occultation of Venus — Visibility map of the lunar occultation of Venus on June 17, 2026.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

On June 17, the 11%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to Venus (mag -4.0) in the constellation Cancer. Both dazzling Venus and the Moon’s thin crescent will be visible to the naked eye. Also, a lunar occultation will occur — the Moon will cover Venus for observers in the contiguous United States, Canada, Brazil, and Venezuela. The occultation will happen during daytime but may still be observable, as both objects are bright enough! Use the Sky Tonight app to quickly find the Moon and Venus in the daytime sky.

June 18: Moon near the Beehive Cluster

On June 18, the 12%-illuminated Moon will be close to the Beehive Cluster (mag 3.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 0°48'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Cancer.

June 19: Moon near Regulus

On June 19, the 26%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the blue-white star Regulus (mag 1.3) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°18'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Leo. A lunar occultation of Regulus will be visible in South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe.

June 21: June Solstice

On June 21, a solstice will occur, marking the start of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere. It will also bring the longest day of the year to the north and the shortest day to the south.

June 23: Moon near Spica

On June 23, the 68%-illuminated Moon will be close to the blue-white star Spica (mag 0.9) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°58'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Virgo.

Read more: Spica – Brightest Star In Virgo

June 25: Mercury near Jupiter

On June 25, Mercury (mag 1.3) will be close to Jupiter (mag -1.8) in the sky. The distance between the two planets will be 3°44'. Mercury will be in the constellation Gemini, while Jupiter will be in Cancer. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars.

June 27: Moon near Antares

On June 27, the 95%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the bright red star Antares (mag 1.0) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°26'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Scorpius. Also, a lunar occultation of Antares will be visible in Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania.

June 28: Mars near the Pleiades

On June 28, reddish Mars (mag 1.3) will be close to the Pleiades star cluster (mag 1.2) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 4°24'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Taurus.

Read more: Mars — Explore the Red Planet

June 29: Full Moon (Micromoon)

June’s Full Moon is traditionally called the Strawberry Moon. In 2026, it will also be a Micromoon — the opposite of a Supermoon. At the moment of the Full Moon, our natural satellite will be in the constellation Sagittarius.

Read more: Strawberry Moon in June 2026

Astronomical events in July 2026

July 6: Moon near Neptune

On July 6, the 60%-illuminated Moon will be close to Neptune (mag 7.7) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 4°13'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Pisces.

July 7: Moon near Saturn

On July 7, the 51%-illuminated Moon will be close to Saturn (mag 0.7) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 5°58'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Pisces.

July 9: Venus near Regulus

On July 9, Venus (mag -4.1) will pass close to the star Regulus (mag 1.3) in the constellation Leo. The distance between the two objects will be 0°58'. Both Venus and Regulus will be visible to the naked eye.

July 10: Moon near the Pleiades

On July 10, the 17%-illuminated Moon will be close to the Pleiades star cluster (mag 1.2) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°03'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Taurus.

July 11: Moon near Uranus

On July 11, the 15%-illuminated Moon will be close to Uranus (mag 5.8) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 5°18'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Taurus.

Read more: Uranus — The Coldest Planet

July 11: Moon near Mars and the Pleiades ⭐

July: Moon near Pleiades and Mars — A delicate crescent Moon will meet the Pleiades star cluster and reddish Mars in the morning sky on July 11.
©Vito Technology

During the pre-dawn hours on July 11, the thin crescent Moon (about 15% illuminated), Mars (mag 1.4), and the Pleiades star cluster (mag 1.2) will meet in the constellation Taurus. All three objects will be visible to the naked eye, making this an easy and exciting astronomy event even for beginners. For a better view of the Pleiades, use binoculars — they’ll reveal the cluster as a glittering swarm of stars. The Sky Tonight app will help you quickly locate the Moon, Mars, and the Pleiades in your sky.

Read more: Mars — Explore the Red Planet

July 15: Moon near the Beehive Cluster

On July 15, the 2%-illuminated Moon will be close to the Beehive Cluster (mag 3.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 0°42'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Cancer. Note that the Moon’s very thin crescent may be hard to spot in bright twilight or when very low above the horizon.

July 17: Moon near Regulus

On July 17, the 9%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the blue-white star Regulus (mag 1.3) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°27'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Leo. Also, a lunar occultation of Regulus will occur, but it won’t be visible on land.

July 17: Moon near Venus

On July 17, the 14%-illuminated Moon will be close to Venus (mag -4.1) in the constellation Leo. The distance between the objects will be 1°47'. Both dazzling Venus and the Moon’s thin crescent will be visible to the naked eye.

July 21: Moon near Spica

On July 21, the 46%-illuminated Moon will be close to the blue-white star Spica (mag 0.9) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 2°09'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Virgo.

Read more: Spica – Brightest Star In Virgo

July 24: Moon near Antares

On July 24, the 81%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the bright red star Antares (mag 1.0) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°33'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Scorpius. In addition, a lunar occultation of Antares will be visible from Antarctica, French Southern Territories, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and Falkland Islands.

July 29: Full Moon

The July Full Moon is traditionally called the Buck Moon. In 2026, this Full Moon will be unusually low above the horizon in the Northern Hemisphere and higher than usual in the Southern Hemisphere. At the moment of the Full Moon, our natural satellite will be in the constellation Capricornus.

Read more: Buck Moon in July 2026

July 30–31: Southern Delta Aquariids’ peak ⭐

Southern δ-Aquariids, α-Capricornids — The Southern δ-Aquariids and the α-Capricornids appear to originate from the constellations Aquarius and Capricornus, respectively. Their radiants are close together in the sky.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

Meteors per hour: Up to 25
Moon illumination: 98%
Best visible from: Southern Hemisphere

The Southern Delta Aquariids peak on the night of July 30–31 and can potentially produce up to 25 meteors per hour. In 2026, however, viewing conditions will be poor: the Moon will be almost full, and its bright light will wash out many of the fainter meteors. Try blocking the Moon’s glare with a building, tree, or hill, and use the Sky Tonight app to find the shower’s radiant — the higher it climbs above the horizon, the more meteors you’re likely to see.

As a bonus, on the same night the Alpha Capricornids will also reach their peak! This meteor shower produces only about 5 shooting stars per hour but is famous for bright, slow fireballs.

Astronomical events in August 2026

August 2: 10P/Tempel 2 reaches perihelion ⭐

On August 2, Comet 10P/Tempel 2 will get closest to the Sun and is expected to brighten to about magnitude 8. This will make it an easy target for binoculars or a small telescope under dark skies. The comet should be visible from both hemispheres, though it will climb higher above the horizon for observers in the Southern Hemisphere. Look for it in the evening sky shortly after sunset. To quickly find Comet 10P/Tempel 2 in your location, use the Sky Tonight app.

Read more: Upcoming Comets Visible in 2026

August 2: Mercury at greatest western elongation

On August 2, Mercury will reach its maximum angular separation from the Sun (19°28'), making this the best time to observe the planet. Mercury will have a magnitude of 0.0 and will be positioned in the constellation Gemini. You can see it with the naked eye in the morning sky.

Read more: What Is Elongation in Astronomy

August 3: Moon near Neptune

On August 3, the 80%-illuminated Moon will be close to Neptune (mag 7.7) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 4°21'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Pisces.

August 7: Moon near the Pleiades

On August 7, the 37%-illuminated Moon will be close to the Pleiades star cluster (mag 1.2) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°10'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Taurus.

August 7: Moon near Uranus

On August 7, the 33%-illuminated Moon will be close to Uranus (mag 5.8) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 5°23'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Taurus.

Read more: Uranus — The Coldest Planet

August 9: Moon near Mars

On August 9, the 16%-illuminated Moon will be close to reddish Mars (mag 1.3) in the constellation Taurus. The distance between the objects will be 4°24'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Taurus.

Read more: Mars — Explore the Red Planet

Take a quiz: How Much Do You Know About Mars?

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August 10: Moon near Pollux

On August 10, the 5%-illuminated Moon will be close to the yellow-orange star Pollux (mag 1.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°33'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini. The Moon’s very thin crescent may be hard to spot in bright twilight or when very low above the horizon.

August 11: Moon near Mercury

On August 11, the 2%-illuminated Moon will be close to Mercury (mag -0.9) in the constellation Cancer. The distance between the two objects will be 1°58'. Mercury will be visible to the naked eye, while the Moon’s very thin crescent may be hard to spot in bright twilight or when very low above the horizon.

August 12: Six-planet alignment ⭐

August: Large Planet Parade — The pre-dawn sky on August 12 will show a line of planets stretching from the eastern to the southwestern horizon.
©Vito Technology

Before sunrise around August 12, you can see a “parade” of six planets: Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Uranus, Saturn, and Neptune. The bright planets — Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, and Saturn — will be easy to spot with the naked eye, while Uranus and Neptune are best viewed with binoculars or a small telescope. To easily find all the planets in your sky, use the Star Walk 2 app — it has a “Planet Walk” feature created specifically for observing “planet parades”.

Read more: Planetary Alignments Explained

August 12: Total solar eclipse visible in Europe ⭐

August: Solar Eclipse — The path of totality for the solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, will sweep across the North Atlantic and Western Europe. To find out the exact time and visibility of the solar eclipse in your location, use the Eclipse Guide app.
©Vito Technology

On August 12, a total solar eclipse will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, Portugal, and Spain, where observers along the path of totality will see the Sun completely covered by the Moon. Across much of Europe, the eclipse will be partial, but the Sun will still be mostly obscured, making for an impressive show. You can find the eclipse visibility map in the Sky Tonight app.

Take a quiz: How Much Do You Know About Eclipses?

Can solar eclipses be seen from the Moon? When was a solar eclipse first recorded on video? Test your knowledge of solar and lunar eclipses with this quiz.

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August 12–13: Perseids’ peak ⭐

August: Perseids Peak — The Perseids appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, which gives the shower its name.
©Vito Technology

Meteors per hour: Up to 100
Moon illumination: 0%
Best visible from: Northern Hemisphere

The legendary Perseids, one of the most popular meteor showers of the year, reach their peak on the night of August 12–13. In 2026, viewing conditions will be excellent — the peak occurs near a New Moon, so the sky will stay completely dark. For the best results, find a dark location and use the Sky Tonight app to track the Perseids’ radiant — the higher it is above the horizon, the more meteors you’re likely to see.

August 15: Venus at greatest eastern elongation

On August 15, Venus will reach its maximum angular separation from the Sun (45°53'), making this the best time to observe the planet. Venus will shine at a magnitude of -4.3 and will be positioned in the constellation Virgo. You can easily see it with the naked eye in the evening sky.

Read more: What Is Elongation in Astronomy

Take a quiz: How Much Do You Know About Venus?

Is it true that a day on Venus lasts longer than a year? Why is Venus the brightest and hottest planet in the Solar System? Learn interesting facts about our close neighbour!

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August 16: Moon near Venus

On August 16, the 15%-illuminated Moon will be close to Venus (mag -4.4) in the constellation Virgo. The distance between the objects will be 1°50'. Both dazzling Venus and the Moon’s thin crescent will be visible to the naked eye.

August 17: Moon near Spica

On August 17, the 25%-illuminated Moon will be close to the blue-white star Spica (mag 0.9) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 2°14'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Virgo.

Read more: Spica – Brightest Star In Virgo

August 21: Moon near Antares

On August 21, the 60%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the bright red star Antares (mag 1.0) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°37'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Scorpius. In addition, a lunar occultation of Antares will be visible from Antarctica, Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands.

August 28: Full Moon

The August Full Moon is traditionally called the Sturgeon Moon. In 2026, this Full Moon is special because it will coincide with a partial lunar eclipse. At the moment of full phase, the Moon will lie in the constellation Aquarius.

Read more: Sturgeon Moon in August 2026

August 28: Deep partial lunar eclipse visible in the US and Europe ⭐

Lunar eclipse map — Visibility map of the partial lunar eclipse on August 27–28, 2026.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

On August 28, a deep partial lunar eclipse will take place — 96% of the Moon will enter the Earth’s shadow. The Moon will likely take on a dark orange hue rather than the classic blood-red of a total eclipse. The eclipse will be fully observable from North and South America, visible at moonrise in the Central Pacific, and at moonset across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. You don’t need any special equipment to watch the eclipse — though binoculars can enhance the view. You can find the visibility map in the Sky Tonight app.

August 30: Moon near Neptune

On August 30, the 95%-illuminated Moon will be close to Neptune (mag 7.7) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 4°20'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Pisces.

Astronomical events in September 2026

September 2: Venus near Spica

On September 2, Venus (mag -4.6) will pass close to the star Spica (mag 0.9) in the constellation Virgo. The distance between the two objects will be 1°28'. Both Venus and Spica will be visible to the naked eye.

September 3: Moon near the Pleiades

On September 3, the 59%-illuminated Moon will be close to the Pleiades star cluster (mag 1.2) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°10'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Taurus.

September 3: Moon near Uranus

On September 3, the 55%-illuminated Moon will be close to Uranus (mag 5.7) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 5°23'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Taurus.

Read more: Uranus — The Coldest Planet

September 6–14: Moon meets with four planets ⭐

Moon near planets Sept 2026 — Moon passing near Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, and Venus from September 6 to 14, 2026.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

From September 6 to 14, the Moon will pass by Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, and Venus. Watch Mars near the Moon low in the pre-dawn sky on September 6, then Jupiter close to a thin crescent on the morning of September 8. On September 12, an extremely thin Moon crescent will skim past Mercury in bright evening twilight, and on September 14, it will meet Venus. Use the Sky Tonight app to check the exact timing of these events for your location and quickly find any planet in the sky.

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Test your knowledge of lunar hues! 🌕🌈Only 15% manage a perfect score in our Moon quiz. Dare to be one?

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September 6: Moon near Mars

On September 6, the 22%-illuminated Moon will be close to reddish Mars (mag 1.2) in the constellation Gemini. The distance between the objects will be 2°57'. Both the Moon and Mars will be visible to the naked eye.

Read more: Mars — Explore the Red Planet

September 7: Moon near Pollux

On September 7, the 19%-illuminated Moon will be close to the yellow-orange star Pollux (mag 1.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°33'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini.

September 8: Moon near Jupiter

On September 8, the 7%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to Jupiter (mag -1.8) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°46'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Cancer. Also a lunar occultation of Jupiter will be visible in Canada, Greenland, Russia, and the Contiguous United States. Note that the Moon’s thin crescent may be hard to spot in bright twilight or when very low above the horizon.

September 8: Moon near the Beehive Cluster

On September 8, the 10%-illuminated Moon will be close to the Beehive Cluster (mag 3.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 0°42'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Cancer.

September 9: Moon near Regulus

On September 9, the 2%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the blue-white star Regulus (mag 1.3) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°29'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Leo. Keep in mind that the Moon’s very thin crescent may be hard to spot in bright twilight or when very low above the horizon.

September 13: Moon near Mercury

On September 13, the 2%-illuminated Moon will be close to Mercury (mag -0.6) in the constellation Virgo. The distance between the two objects will be 3°24'. Mercury will be visible to the naked eye, while the Moon’s very thin crescent may be hard to spot in bright twilight or when very low above the horizon.

September 13: Moon near Spica

On September 13, the 8%-illuminated Moon will be close to the blue-white star Spica (mag 0.9) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 2°12'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Virgo.

Read more: Spica – Brightest Star In Virgo

September 14: Moon near Venus

On September 14, the 12%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to Venus (mag -4.7) in the constellation Virgo. The distance between the objects will be only 0°28'. Both dazzling Venus and the Moon’s thin crescent will be visible to the naked eye. Also, a lunar occultation of Venus will be visible in the Contiguous United States, Canada, Brazil, and Venezuela.

September 17: Moon near Antares

On September 17, the 37%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the bright red star Antares (mag 1.0) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°34'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Scorpius. In addition, a lunar occultation of Antares will be visible from Antarctica, Australia, Tasmania, Heard Island, and the McDonald Islands.

September 22: Venus reaches maximum brightness ⭐

September: Bright Venus — Look for Venus shining in the southwest just after sunset. You'll need a clear, unobstructed horizon to catch it at its best.
©Vito Technology

On September 22, Venus will reach a magnitude of -4.8, which is its peak brightness for the year. Look for the dazzling planet low above the southwestern horizon just after sunset in the constellation Virgo. Through a telescope, Venus will appear as a thin crescent (only about 22% illuminated). To easily locate Venus in your sky, use the Sky Tonight app.

September 23: September equinox

On September 23, an equinox will occur, marking the start of astronomical autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. It will also bring nearly equal day and night worldwide.

September 26: Neptune at opposition

On September 26, the distant planet Neptune will be directly opposite the Sun as seen from Earth. This is the best time to observe Neptune, as it will be at maximum brightness and visible all night. Around the opposition, Neptune will reach a magnitude of 7.8. You can observe it through powerful binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Pisces.

Read more: Planetary Oppositions.

September 26: Mercury near Spica

On September 26, Mercury (mag -0.2) will pass very close to the star Spica (mag 0.9) in the constellation Virgo. The distance between the two objects will be only 0°53'. Both Mercury and Spica may be hard to spot in the bright twilight sky.

September 26: Full Moon

In 2026, the September Full Moon gets the name Harvest Moon, as it’s the closest Full Moon to the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. At the moment of full phase, the Moon will lie in the constellation Pisces.

Read more: Harvest Moon in September 2026

September 30: Moon near the Pleiades

On September 30, the 80%-illuminated Moon will be close to the Pleiades star cluster (mag 1.2) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°04'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Taurus.

Astronomical events in October 2026

October 4: Saturn at opposition ⭐

October: Saturn opposition — Saturn will be visible all night long in the constellation Cetus, reaching its highest point around midnight.
©Vito Technology

On October 4, Saturn will be directly opposite the Sun as seen from Earth. This is the best time to observe and photograph Saturn, as it will be at maximum brightness and visible all night. During the opposition, Saturn will shine with a magnitude of 0.3 in the constellation Cetus. It will be easily visible to the naked eye. To quickly find Saturn in the sky, use the Sky Tonight app.

Read more: Planetary Oppositions

October 4: Moon near Pollux

On October 4, the 40%-illuminated Moon will be close to the yellow-orange star Pollux (mag 1.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°40'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini.

October 5: Moon near Mars

On October 5, the 31%-illuminated Moon will be close to reddish Mars (mag 1.0) in the constellation Cancer. The distance between the objects will be 1°05'. Both the Moon and Mars will be visible to the naked eye. Also, a lunar occultation of Mars will be visible in Canada.

Read more: Mars — Explore the Red Planet

October 5: Moon near the Beehive Cluster

On October 5, the 28%-illuminated Moon will be very close to the Beehive Cluster (mag 3.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°36'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Cancer.

October 6: Moon near Jupiter

On October 6, the 20%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to Jupiter (mag -1.9) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°10'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Leo. Also a lunar occultation of Jupiter will be visible from parts of Africa, the Americas, the Portuguese Azores, Madeira, the Savage Islands, and the Canary Islands.

October 7: Moon near Regulus

On October 7, the 14%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the blue-white star Regulus (mag 1.3) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°33'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Leo. Also, a lunar occultation of Regulus will be visible from parts of Africa.

October 12: Moon near Venus

On October 12, the 3%-illuminated Moon will pass close to Venus (mag -4.4) in the constellation Virgo. The distance between the objects will be 2°49'. Dazzling Venus will be easily visible to the naked eye; the Moon’s very thin crescent may be hard to spot in bright twilight or when very low above the horizon.

October 12: Mercury at greatest eastern elongation

On October 12, Mercury will reach its maximum angular separation from the Sun (25°09'), making this the best time to observe the planet. Mercury will shine at a magnitude of 0.0 in the evening sky. You can see it with the naked eye in the constellation Libra.

Read more: What Is Elongation in Astronomy

Take a quiz: How Much Do You Know About Mercury?

From extreme temperature swings to weird sunrises — this quiz will test your knowledge about Mercury. Only 12% of people can ace it. Will you?

Take the quiz!

October 12: Moon near Mercury

On October 12, the 5%-illuminated Moon will be close to Mercury (mag 0.0) in the constellation Libra. The distance between the two objects will be 2°01'. Mercury will be visible to the naked eye, while the Moon’s very thin crescent may be hard to spot in bright twilight or when very low above the horizon.

October 14: Moon near Antares

On October 14, the 17%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the bright red star Antares (mag 1.0) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°24'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Scorpius. In addition, a lunar occultation of Antares will be visible from Uruguay, Brazil, South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands, and Saint Helena.

October 21: Orionids’ peak ⭐

Radiant of the Orionids — Orionids’ radiant (the point from which the meteors appear to emanate) is located in the constellation Orion.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

Meteors per hour: Up to 20
Moon illumination: 70%
Visible from: Both hemispheres

The Orionids are a medium-strength meteor shower that can sometimes deliver surprise bursts of activity. In 2026, observing conditions are relatively favorable: the waxing gibbous Moon sets a couple of hours after midnight, leaving several darker, Moon-free hours afterward. Start watching from around midnight until dawn, when Orion climbs higher, and meteor rates improve. Use the Sky Tonight app to find the Orionids’ radiant in your location — the higher it rises above the horizon, the more meteors you’re likely to see.

October 23: Moon near Neptune

On October 23, the 94%-illuminated Moon will be close to Neptune (mag 7.7) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 4°16'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Pisces.

October 26: Full Moon

In 2026, the October Full Moon gets the name Hunter’s Moon, as it’s the first Full Moon after the Harvest Moon. At the moment of full phase, the Moon will lie in the constellation Aries.

Read more: Hunter’s Moon in October 2026

October 28: Moon near Uranus

On October 28, the 93%-illuminated Moon will be close to Uranus (mag 5.6) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 5°08'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Taurus.

Read more: Uranus — The Coldest Planet

October 28: Moon near the Pleiades

On October 28, the 95%-illuminated Moon will be very close to the Pleiades star cluster (mag 1.2) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°56'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Taurus.

October 31: Moon near Pollux

On October 31, the 63%-illuminated Moon will be close to the yellow-orange star Pollux (mag 1.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 3°53'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini.

Astronomical events in November 2026

November 2: Moon near Mars

On November 2, the 42%-illuminated Moon will be very close to reddish Mars (mag 0.8) in the constellation Leo. The distance between the objects will be only 0°57'. Both the Moon and Mars will be visible to the naked eye. Also, a lunar occultation of Mars will be visible from French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, and Pitcairn.

Read more: Mars — Explore the Red Planet

November 2: Moon near Jupiter

On November 2, the 38%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to Jupiter (mag -2.0) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°29'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Leo. Also a lunar occultation of Jupiter will be visible in Australia, Indonesia, India, and Malaysia.

November 3: Moon near Regulus

On November 3, the 33%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the blue-white star Regulus (mag 1.3) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°45'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Leo. Also, a lunar occultation of Regulus will be visible from Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia.

November 4–5: Southern Taurids’ peak

Northern & Southern Taurids — ©Vito Technology

Meteors per hour: 5–10
Moon illumination: 14%
Visible from: Both hemispheres

The Southern Taurids are a long-lasting, low-rate meteor shower known for producing slow, bright fireballs. In 2026, the shower’s main peak comes under a waning crescent Moon, so observing conditions will be favorable. Use the Sky Tonight app to find the Taurids’ radiant — the higher it is above the horizon, the better your chances of spotting meteors.

November 7: Moon near Venus

On November 7, the 4%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to Venus (mag -4.5) in the constellation Virgo. The distance between the objects will be only 0°57'. Dazzling Venus will be easily visible to the naked eye; the Moon’s very thin crescent may be hard to spot in bright twilight or when very low above the horizon. Also, a lunar occultation of Venus will be visible in Antarctica, Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands.

November 7: Moon near Spica

On November 7, the 3%-illuminated Moon will be close to the blue-white star Spica (mag 0.9) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 2°10'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Virgo. Note that the very thin lunar crescent may be hard to spot unless the sky is very dark.

Read more: Spica – Brightest Star In Virgo

November 9: Venus near Spica

On November 9, Venus (mag -4.6) will pass close to the star Spica (mag 0.9) in the constellation Virgo. The distance between the two objects will be 1°09'. Both Venus and Spica will be visible to the naked eye.

November 11: Moon near Antares

On November 11, the 4%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to the bright red star Antares (mag 1.0) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°16'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Scorpius (but keep in mind that the very thin lunar crescent may be hard to spot unless the sky is very dark). In addition, a lunar occultation of Antares will be visible from Samoa, Tonga, American Samoa, and Fiji.

November 11–12: Northern Taurids’ peak

Meteors per hour: Up to 5
Moon illumination: 10%
Visible from: Both hemispheres

The Northern Taurids peak around November 12, producing fewer shooting stars than their southern counterpart but sharing the same reputation for slow-moving, bright meteors. In 2026, viewing conditions will be excellent: the peak occurs under a waxing crescent Moon, and the New Moon on November 9 provides dark skies for several nights around the maximum. For best results, observe after midnight and use the Sky Tonight app to track the radiant’s position — the higher it rises, the more meteors you’re likely to see.

November 14: Four-planet alignment ⭐

Planetary Alignment November 2026 — Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter in a planetary alignment on November 14, 2026, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

Around November 14, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter will gather in the sky. Look for the planets in the southeastern sky in the Northern Hemisphere and the northeastern sky in the Southern Hemisphere. Venus and Mercury will sit low near the horizon, while Mars and Jupiter will shine higher up, appearing relatively close together. All four planets will be visible to the naked eye. To easily find them in your sky, use the Star Walk 2 app — it has a “Planet Walk” feature created specifically for observing “planet parades”.

Read more: Planetary Alignments Explained

November 16: Mars near Jupiter ⭐

November: Mars near Jupiter — Mars and Jupiter will rise together around midnight and climb high in the sky by morning, offering a brilliant sight before sunrise.
©Vito Technology

On November 16, two bright planets — Mars (mag 0.6) and Jupiter (mag -2.0) — will get close together in the sky. The distance between them will be only 1°11'. You can observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Leo. To quickly locate Mars and Jupiter in your sky, use the Sky Tonight app.

November 17–18: Leonids’ peak ⭐

Leonids' radiant — The Leonids’ radiant (the point from which the meteors appear to emanate) is located in the constellation Leo.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

Meteors per hour: Up to 15
Moon illumination: 55%
Best visible from: Northern Hemisphere

In 2026, the Leonid meteor shower peaks under a First Quarter Moon, so moonlight can wash out many of the fainter meteors. However, the Moon will set at around 11:00, so you’ll have the rest of the night for observations. Use the Sky Tonight app to find the Leonids’ radiant — the higher it is above the horizon, the more meteors you’re likely to see.

Take a quiz: How to Catch a Shooting Star?

Think you’re a meteor mastermind? Dive into our quiz to see if you’re truly starry-eyed or just spaced out. 🌠 👀 Bonus: snag some pro tips to actually catch those elusive shooting stars!

Take the quiz!

November 20: Mercury at greatest western elongation

On November 20, Mercury will reach its maximum angular separation from the Sun (19°37'), making this the best time to observe the planet. Mercury will have a magnitude of -0.6 and will be positioned in the constellation Libra. You can see it with the naked eye in the morning sky.

Read more: What Is Elongation in Astronomy

November 20: Moon near Neptune

On November 20, the 77%-illuminated Moon will be close to Neptune (mag 7.7) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 4°24'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Pisces.

November 24: Full Moon (Supermoon)

November’s Full Moon is traditionally known as the Beaver Moon. In 2026, it will also be a Supermoon! At the moment of the Full Moon, our natural satellite will be in the constellation Taurus.

Read more: Beaver Supermoon in November 2026

November 24: Moon near the Pleiades

On November 24, the 100%-illuminated Moon will be very close to the Pleiades star cluster (mag 1.2) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°50'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Taurus.

November 24: Moon near Uranus

On November 24, the 93%-illuminated Moon will be close to Uranus (mag 5.6) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 5°05'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Taurus.

Read more: Uranus — The Coldest Planet

November 25: Mars near Regulus

On November 25, the red planet Mars (mag 0.6) will pass close to the blue-white star Regulus (mag 1.3) in the constellation Leo. The distance between the two objects will be 1°43'. Both Mars and Regulus will be visible to the naked eye.

Read more: Mars — Explore the Red Planet

November 25: Uranus at opposition ⭐

On November 25, Uranus will be directly opposite the Sun as seen from Earth. This is the best time to observe Uranus, as it will be at maximum brightness and visible all night. Around the opposition, Uranus will have a magnitude of 5.6; you can observe it through powerful binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Taurus. To quickly locate Uranus in the sky, use the Sky Tonight app.

Read more: Planetary Oppositions

November 28: Moon near Pollux

On November 28, the 84%-illuminated Moon will be close to the yellow-orange star Pollux (mag 1.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 4°07'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini.

November 29: Moon near the Beehive Cluster

On November 29, the 74%-illuminated Moon will be very close to the Beehive Cluster (mag 3.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°10'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Cancer.

November 30: Moon near Jupiter

On November 30, the 60%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to Jupiter (mag -2.2) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 1°03'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Leo. Also a lunar occultation of Jupiter will be visible from Argentina, Chile, Antarctica, and the Falkland Islands.

November 30: Moon near Regulus

On November 30, the 57%-illuminated Moon will pass close to the blue-white star Regulus (mag 1.3) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°01'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Leo. Also, a lunar occultation of Regulus will be visible from New Zealand and Norfolk Island.

November 30: Moon near Mars

On November 30, the 56%-illuminated Moon will be close to reddish Mars (mag 0.4) in the constellation Leo. The distance between the objects will be 2°59'. Both the Moon and Mars will be visible to the naked eye.

Read more: Mars — Explore the Red Planet

Astronomical events in December 2026

December 4: Moon near Spica

On December 4, the 17%-illuminated Moon will be close to the blue-white star Spica (mag 0.9) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 2°19'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Virgo. Note that the very thin lunar crescent may be hard to spot unless the sky is very dark.

Read more: Spica – Brightest Star In Virgo

December 12: Jupiter near Regulus

On December 12, Jupiter (mag -2.2) will pass close to the blue-white star Regulus (mag 1.3) in the constellation Leo. The distance between the two objects will be 3°12'. Both Jupiter and Regulus will be visible to the naked eye.

December 13–14: Geminids’ peak ⭐

December: Geminids Peak — The Geminids are a truly global event, offering a great show to observers in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
©Vito Technology

Meteors per hour: Up to 150
Moon illumination: 20%
Best visible from: Northern Hemisphere

The Geminids are one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, known for bright, slow-moving meteors that can flash in different colors. In 2026, viewing conditions are favorable: the **waxing crescent Moon won’t spoil the show. In the Northern Hemisphere, the radiant in Gemini rises around sunset, so you can start watching already in the evening. In the Southern Hemisphere, the radiant rises closer to midnight and reaches its highest point around 2:00 local time. Use the Sky Tonight app to track the Geminids’ radiant — the higher it is above the horizon, the more meteors you’re likely to see.

December 17: Moon near Neptune

On December 17, the 55%-illuminated Moon will be close to Neptune (mag 7.7) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 4°37'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Pisces.

December 21: December Solstice

On December 21, a solstice will occur, marking the start of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. It will also bring the shortest day of the year to the north and the longest day to the south.

Take a quiz: Can You Tell an Equinox From a Solstice?

Only 10% of people can get the top score in this tricky quiz about equinoxes and solstices!🌝🌏 Test your knowledge and try to join the elite few!

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December 21: Moon near the Pleiades

On December 21, the 93%-illuminated Moon will be very close to the Pleiades star cluster (mag 1.2) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°57'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Taurus.

December 21–22: Ursids’ peak

The Ursids’ radiant (the point from which the meteors appear to emanate) is located in the constellation Ursa Minor.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

Meteors/hour: Up to 10
Moon illumination: 95%
Best visible from: Northern Hemisphere

The Ursids are a minor meteor shower that peaks around the December solstice. Unfortunately, in 2026, viewing conditions will be poor: the peak falls just two days before the Full Moon, and bright moonlight will wash out many faint meteors. If you’re still planning to watch the shower, use the Sky Tonight app to find the Ursids’ radiant — the higher it is above the horizon, the more meteors you’re likely to see.

December 22: Moon near Uranus

On December 22, the 94%-illuminated Moon will be close to Uranus (mag 5.6) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 5°09'. Observe them through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Taurus.

Read more: Uranus — The Coldest Planet

December 24: Full Moon (Supermoon) ⭐

December 2026 Full Moon — The last Full Moon of 2026 occurs on December 24, right on Christmas Eve. It’s also the biggest Full Moon of the year, earning the nickname Christmas Eve Supermoon. In many cultures, this Full Moon is linked with cold, snow, and long winter nights – that’s where its other traditional name, the Cold Moon, comes from.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

December’s Full Moon is traditionally known as the Cold Moon — and in 2026, it will be really special. First, it will be the largest Supermoon of the year, appearing about 8% larger and 16% brighter than an average Full Moon. Second, it will occur on Christmas Eve in the Western Christian tradition. That doesn’t happen often: the last December 24 Full Moon was in 1996. At the moment of the Full Moon, our natural satellite will be in the constellation Gemini. Use the Sky Tonight app to find out the moonrise time for your location, so you don’t miss the Full Moon's dramatic appearance above the horizon.

December 25: Moon near Pollux

On December 25, the 97%-illuminated Moon will be close to the yellow-orange star Pollux (mag 1.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 4°15'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Gemini.

December 26: Moon near the Beehive Cluster

On December 26, the 92%-illuminated Moon will be very close to the Beehive Cluster (mag 3.1) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 0°10'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Cancer.

December 26–28: Moon forms an arc with Jupiter, Regulus, and Mars ⭐

Moon, Jupiter, Mars, Regulus — Moon lining up with Jupiter, Regulus, and Mars on December 26–27, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

On the nights of December 26–27 and December 27–28, the nearly full Moon will appear in Leo alongside Jupiter, Mars, and the bright star Regulus, forming a noticeable arc in the sky. The grouping will be visible from both hemispheres, but easiest to observe in the Northern Hemisphere.

December 27: Moon near Jupiter

On December 27, the 82%-illuminated Moon will pass very close to Jupiter (mag -2.4) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be only 1°22'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Leo.

December 27: Moon near Regulus

On December 27, the 80%-illuminated Moon will pass close to the blue-white star Regulus (mag 1.3) in the sky. The distance between the objects will be 1°15'. Observe them with the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars in the constellation Leo.

December 28: Moon near Mars

On December 28, the 73%-illuminated Moon will be close to reddish Mars (mag -0.1) in the constellation Leo. The distance between the objects will be 4°44'. Both the Moon and Mars will be visible to the naked eye.

Read more: Mars — Explore the Red Planet

All astronomical events of 2026: Bottom line

That’s the complete overview of major astronomical events in 2026 — from bright Supermoons and planetary oppositions to eclipses and the year’s best meteor showers. To see the highlights at a glance, check out our infographic. And whenever you’re ready to observe, let the Sky Tonight app guide you to the stars.

For detailed calendars focused on specific event types, see:

Text Credit:Vito Technology, Inc.

Topics:Skywatching Meteor Showers Planets & Moons Stars

Astronomy Calendar 2026: All Major Celestial Events of the Year

Contents

Astronomical events in January 2026

January 1: Moon near Aldebaran

January 3: Full Moon (Supermoon)

January 3: Moon near Jupiter

January 3–4: Quadrantids’ peak ⭐

January 4: Moon near Pollux

January 4: 24P/Schaumasse gets closest to Earth

January 5: Moon near the Beehive Cluster

January 6: Moon near Regulus

January 8: 24P/Schaumasse reaches perihelion

January 10: Jupiter at opposition ⭐

January 10: Moon near Spica

January 14: Moon near Antares ⭐

January 20: C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) reaches perihelion ⭐

January 23: Moon near Saturn

January 23: Moon near Neptune

January 27: Moon near the Pleiades

January 27: Moon near Uranus

January 28: Moon near Aldebaran

January 31: Moon near Jupiter

January 31: Moon near Pollux

Astronomical events in February 2026

February 1: Full Moon

February 1: Moon near the Beehive Cluster

February 3: Moon near Regulus

February 7: Moon near Spica

February 11: Moon near Antares

February 17: Annular solar eclipse

February 17: C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) gets closest to Earth ⭐

February 18: Moon near Mercury

February 19: Mercury at greatest eastern elongation

February 19: Moon near Saturn

February 19: Moon near Neptune

February 23: Moon near Uranus

February 24: Moon near the Pleiades

February 27: Moon near Jupiter

February 27: Moon near Pollux

February 28: Moon near the Beehive Cluster

February 28: Six-planet alignment ⭐

Astronomical events in March 2026

March 2: Moon near Regulus

March 3: Full Moon

March 3: Total lunar eclipse ⭐

March 6: Moon near Spica

March 8: Venus near Saturn ⭐

March 10: Moon near Antares

March 15: Mars near Mercury

March 17: Moon near Mercury

March 17: Moon near Mars

March 18: 88P/Howell reaches perihelion

March 18: Moon near Mars and Mercury ⭐

March 20: Moon near Venus

March 20: March equinox

March 23: Moon near Uranus

March 23: Moon near the Pleiades

March 26: Moon near Jupiter

March 27: Moon near Pollux

March 28: Moon near the Beehive Cluster

March 29: Moon near Regulus

Astronomical events in April 2026

April 2: Full Moon

April 3: Moon near Spica

April 3: Mercury at greatest western elongation — best visibility of the year

April 6: Moon near Antares

April 15: Moon near Mercury

April 15: Moon near Neptune

April 15: Moon near Mars

April 16: Moon near Saturn

April 18: Four-planet alignment ⭐

April 19: Moon near Venus

April 19: Moon near the Pleiades

April 19: Mars near Saturn

April 19: Moon near Uranus

April 20: Mercury near Saturn

April 20: Mercury near Mars

April 22: Lyrids’ peak ⭐

April 22: Moon near Jupiter

April 23: Moon near Pollux