A packed sky calendar awaits stargazers in 2026. The upcoming lunar yr will function many beautiful shut encounters of the crescent moon and planets, in addition to quite a few supermoons, a spectacular whole photo voltaic eclipse, and a “blood moon” full lunar eclipse. The vast majority of these occasions are perfect for watching with the bare eye, however you may get a more in-depth look with telescopes and binoculars.
The dates for the upcoming yr’s moon-gazing occasions are as follows.
1. The yr’s first supermoon
On January 3, 2026, at nightfall, the yr’s first supermoon shall be seen. January begins with a visible deal with because the Wolf Moon rises as a supermoon. Showing noticeably bigger and brighter, it marks the primary of three supermoons in 2026 and the ultimate chapter in a run that started on the finish of 2025.
2. “Ring of fireside” annular photo voltaic eclipse
On February 17, 2026, through the daytime,e a Photo voltaic eclipse will happen. A dramatic annular photo voltaic eclipse will see as much as 96% of the Solar’s centre hidden by the Moon, leaving a glowing ring. The complete annular section shall be seen solely from distant Antarctic analysis stations, whereas a partial eclipse shall be seen throughout Antarctica and elements of southern Africa and Argentina.
3. Crescent Moon and Mercury
February 18, 2026 (after sundown)
Simply after sundown, a razor-thin crescent Moon will seem near elusive Mercury, low within the western sky. With the Moon solely about 2% illuminated, binoculars will assist reveal this uncommon pairing, with Venus shining beneath and Saturn greater above.
4. “Blood Moon” whole lunar eclipse
March 2–3, 2026, late at evening until early within the morning. There are steadily three whole moon eclipses. The final of the three will happen in early March 2026 and would be the final till 2029. There have been two in 2025, one in every of which dazzled North American skywatchers. From areas of western North America, Australia, New Zealand, East Asia, and the Pacific, the complete Worm Moon will move into Earth’s shadow throughout this prevalence, turning right into a reddish-orange “blood moon” lasting 58 minutes.
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5. Crescent Moon and Venus
On March 20, a 5%-lit waxing crescent moon will cling above the intense planet Venus, offering an opportunity to see a younger moon close to a superb planet roughly 45 minutes after sundown. Deliver a pair of binoculars and find a transparent western horizon.
6. Crescent Moon, Venus and the Pleiades
On April 19, an hour after sundown, look west for a panoramic view of Orion’s descending stars as a 9%-lit waxing crescent moon approaches the Pleiades, additionally known as the “Seven Sisters” star cluster, with good Venus beneath.
7. Complete photo voltaic eclipse
On August 12, 2026, as seen from japanese Greenland, western Iceland, and northern Spain, the moon’s silhouette will completely conceal the solar for as much as 2 minutes, 18 seconds—presumably its biggest trick of all, though it gained’t be seen. There shall be a tiny partial photo voltaic eclipse in North America and a profound partial eclipse all through all of Europe.
8. Partial lunar eclipse
North America, South America, Europe, and Africa will be capable to witness the second lunar eclipse of 2026, but it surely gained’t be as spectacular as the primary in March. The moon will attain Earth’s core shadow in area, however solely 4% of it’ll accomplish that, making the lunar floor predominantly reddish. The sting of Earth’s shadow will progressively migrate throughout the moon and again once more, which is all the time an impressive sight, though there gained’t be totality.
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9. Moon within the Beehive Cluster
The Beehive Cluster, a shocking cluster of stars finest seen with binoculars, shall be proper beneath a waning crescent Moon on September 8, 2026, simply earlier than daybreak, creating a beautiful pre-sunrise scene within the japanese sky.
Additionally Learn: Moon missions and photo voltaic spectacles headline 2026 area calendar
10. Moon together with Saturn
On September 26, Saturn shall be seen within the evening sky, however it will likely be most obvious when the Moon passes close by within the east, proper earlier than the Moon is full.
11. Crescent Moon and Jupiter
With solely 10 arc seconds (three-thousandths of a level) separating the moon and Jupiter, this can be a uncommon and distinctive sight. It’s best seen within the east roughly 90 minutes earlier than dawn, when the moon shall be about 20% illuminated and “Earthshine” shall be seen on its evening facet, closest to the large planet.
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12. Crescent Moon with Mars and Jupiter
For a lot of the primary half of 2026, Mars gained’t be seen within the evening sky, however by October, it will likely be seen within the southeast earlier than dawn. A 43%-lit waning crescent moon will method the Crimson Planet on November 2, 2026, with Jupiter barely beneath.
13. The closest supermoon since 2019
There shall be three supermoons in 2026: on January 3, November 24, and December 23, however one stands out. The closest full moon close to Earth since 2019 will happen on December 23. It’ll surpass the supermoon on February 19, 2019, by roughly 60 miles (100 km) at a distance of solely 221,668 miles (356,740 km), making it the most important and brightest full moon in nearly eight years. However on February 10, 2028, and March 30, 2029, two supermoons will get a lot nearer.