Astronomical events in 2026 make skywatching one of the most meaningful New Year’s resolutions or hobbies to start this year. With minimal effort and incredible rewards, 2026 is packed with exciting celestial highlights—beginning with a Supermoon and Jupiter in January, followed by a rare six-planet alignment in February. Skywatchers will also experience a Total Lunar Eclipse, a Total Solar Eclipse, and the Perseids Meteor Shower, peaking on a moonless night that’s perfect for meteor viewing. With so many breathtaking sights in the sky, make sure skywatching in 2026 earns a spot on your New Year’s resolution list. Here is the list of Astronomical Events you should not miss in 2026.
January 10, 2026: Jupiter at Opposition
Jupiter takes center stage in January as it reaches opposition on January 10, 2026. During opposition, Earth sits directly between the Sun and Jupiter, making the gas giant appear brighter, larger, and visible all night. This will be Jupiter’s best appearance since December 2024, and it won’t look this impressive again until 2027, making it the first major astronomical event of 2026. How to observe Jupiter:- Look toward the eastern sky after sunset
- Jupiter will outshine every star in the sky
February 26–28, 2026: Six-Planet Parade
February brings a rare six-planet alignment visible in the evening sky just after sunset. Planets visible during the parade:- Venus – Bright and easily visible in the western sky
- Saturn & Mercury – Fainter planets forming a triangular pattern near Venus
- Neptune – Requires binoculars or a telescope
- Jupiter – Shining high near the zenith
- Uranus – Near the Pleiades star cluster (telescope required)
This planetary parade makes February one of the best months for planet watching in 2026.
March 3, 2026: Total Lunar Eclipse (Blood Moon)
On March 3, 2026, a stunning Total Lunar Eclipse will turn the Moon a deep reddish-orange color, commonly known as a Blood Moon.
- Best visibility: USA, Canada, New Zealand
- Partial eclipse: Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Russia
June 8–9, 2026: Venus–Jupiter Conjunction
On the evenings of June 8 and 9, Venus and Jupiter will appear extremely close—just 1 degree apart (about the width of a pinky finger held at arm’s length) above the western horizon.- Mercury will also be visible nearby
- The conjunction remains visible for several evenings 📸 Astrophotography alert:
August 12, 2026: Total Solar Eclipse: Best of Astronomical events in 2026
A dramatic Total Solar Eclipse will occur on August 12, 2026, briefly turning day into dusk.
- Total eclipse duration: ~2 minutes
- The entire eclipse lasts nearly 5 hours
- Greenland
- Iceland
- Arctic Ocean
- Northern Spain
- Parts of Portugal
August 12–13, 2026: Perseids Meteor Shower Peak
The Perseids Meteor Shower peaks on a new moon night in 2026, offering one of the best meteor displays of the decade.
- Up to 100 meteors per hour
- Famous for bright fireballs
- Best viewing time: Midnight to dawn
December 13–14, 2026: Geminids Meteor Shower
End the year with the Geminids Meteor Shower, one of the most reliable and colorful meteor showers.- 100+ meteors per hour
- Multicolored meteor streaks
- Best viewed after midnight till dawn
- Radiates from the Gemini constellation
Tips for the Best Stargazing Experience in 2026
- No equipment needed to see Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn
- Use sky apps like Stellarium or Star Walk
- Binoculars are ideal for Jupiter’s moons and Saturn’s rings
- Never view the Sun directly—use eclipse glasses
