The year 2026 promises to be a spectacular one for stargazers and space enthusiasts, with the moon and sun taking centre stage in a series of celestial events. From a major total solar eclipse to a parade of planets and continued robotic exploration of the lunar surface, the universe has a full schedule of wonders in store.
Lunar Landings and Celestial Events
The cosmic year kicks off with significant lunar activity. NASA's Artemis II mission, launching early in the year, will see commander Reid Wiseman and his crew of three Americans and one Canadian perform a flyby of the moon. While they will not land, their 10-day mission will offer the first human eyes on large sections of the lunar far side unseen since the Apollo era.
They will be joined by a caravan of robotic landers. Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin plans to launch a prototype of its Blue Moon lander, standing 26 feet tall. U.S. companies Astrobotic Technology, Intuitive Machines, and Firefly Aerospace also aim for 2026 landings, with the latter targeting the far side. China is set to send a rover and a 'hopper' to the south pole to search for ice.
Skywatchers can also enjoy three supermoon events, where the full moon appears larger and brighter. The first occurs on January 3, coinciding with a meteor shower. The second is on November 24, with the year's closest supermoon gracing the night of December 23 into Christmas Eve, passing within 221,668 miles of Earth.
Solar Spectacles and Planetary Parades
The sun will put on two major shows in 2026. First, a 'ring of fire' annular solar eclipse will occur over Antarctica on February 17, visible partially from South Africa and southern Chile and Argentina. The main event follows on August 12: a total solar eclipse that will begin in the Arctic and sweep over Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, offering 2 minutes and 18 seconds of totality.
Planetary observers are in for a treat around February 28, when six of the solar system's eight planets will align in the evening sky. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn should be visible to the naked eye, with Uranus and Neptune requiring binoculars. A nearly full moon will appear alongside Jupiter. A second six-planet alignment is expected in August, this time featuring Mars.
Fading Visitor and Auroral Displays
The interstellar comet 3I/Atlas, our third known visitor from another star system, will continue its journey. After swinging past Earth in December 2025, it is now fading but remains visible through powerful telescopes. It will pass by Jupiter in March before eventually leaving our solar system a decade from now. NASA's Paul Chodas notes that with improving technology, the chance of discovering more such visitors is increasing.
While the sun's 11-year activity cycle is expected to start easing, 2026 could still produce geomagnetic storms leading to stunning auroral displays (Northern and Southern Lights), potentially in unexpected places. Space weather forecasters are excited by new data from observatories launched in late 2025, which will improve understanding and predictions.
With this packed celestial calendar, 2026 is shaping up to be a remarkable year for anyone looking up, whether with the naked eye, a telescope, or via the streamed footage of historic lunar missions.
