Skywatching Events 2026: Eclipses, Meteor Showers, Comets, and Other Details

Skywatchers can expect a busy 2026 calendar filled with eclipses, meteor showers, supermoons, planetary conjunctions, and possible aurora displays sprinkled throughout the year. The year is particularly notable for containing two major solar eclipses, several strong meteor showers, and the largest supermoon of the decade's second half.

2026 has a number of high-impact celestial events that hit during key observing windows. From February's annular eclipse across the southern hemisphere to August's total solar eclipse crossing Greenland to Iberia, many skywatchers have at least one "headline" event in each region.

Eclipse types include annular, total, and partial lunar eclipses.

• Strong annual meteor showers: Quadrantids, Perseids and Geminids all well placed.

• Three supermoons, including a very large Cold Moon on Christmas Eve, December 24.

• Several bright planetary alignments involving Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn.

2026 Eclipses: Annular, Total, and Partial

Eclipses are some of the most spectacular naked‑eye astronomical events, and 2026 has four major ones during the year.

Annular Solar Eclipse – 17 February 2026

• Type and appearance: The Moon covers the centre of the Sun but not its edges, forming a "ring of fire."

• Visibility: The main visibility zone covers Antarctica, southern Africa, and South America.

• Safety: Observers must use certified solar filters or indirect projection; direct viewing without protection can permanently damage eyesight.

Total Lunar Eclipse -3 March 2026

Eclipse nature: The Moon passes completely through Earth's umbral shadow causing a deep coppery red tint at totality.

Visibility: This event should be visible from most of North America, Asia, Australia, and over wide swaths of the Pacific.

Viewing tips: No special eye protection is required; binoculars or a small telescope enhance color and detail.

Total Solar Eclipse – 12 August 2026

Path of totality: The narrow track of complete darkness passes over Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Portugal, and parts of Russia.

Phenomena include observers on the path viewing the solar corona, sudden daylight darkness, and a drop in temperature for a few minutes.

Tourism and Science: The event will attract scientists and eclipse chasers to key locations in Iceland and the Iberian Peninsula.

Partial Lunar Eclipse – 27–28 August 2026

Visibility: Parts of Europe, western Asia, Africa, and North America will experience the Moon at least partly shrouded in Earth's shadow.

Appearance: Only a portion of the lunar disc darkens; the effect is more subtle but no less photogenic than that of a total lunar eclipse.

Major Meteor Showers: Quadrantids, Perseids, Geminids

Meteor showers in 2026 offer observers a few chances to see high meteor counts under dark skies.

Quadrantids – 3–4 January

• Peak activity: Early January, with a strong but short-lived maximum.

• Characteristics: Quadrantids often produce bright, fast meteors, but the peak rates can drop quickly after a few hours.

• Best strategy: Observe after midnight from dark sites, allowing at least one to two hours around the predicted peak.

Perseids - 12–13 August

• Peak dates: 12–13 August, coinciding with a New Moon in 2026, making conditions excellent.

• Justify the existence of a scaling factor other than 1, and show why this must hold.

• Strength: The Perseids are one of the most reliable showers; under dark skies, it often delivers dozens of meteors per hour.

• Instructions:

• Ideal viewing spots: Rural areas away from light pollution in the Northern Hemisphere will provide the best views.

Geminids – 13–14 December

• Activity: One of the strongest showers of the year; slow, often bright meteors and occasional fireballs.

• Seasonal challenge: Cold winter nights discourage many observers, but clear skies reward those who prepare.

Planetary Alignments and Conjunctions

A number of planetary events will make the night sky particularly dynamic for binocular and small-telescope observers in 2026.

Jupiter at Opposition – 10 January

• Definition: Opposition means Jupiter is on the opposite side of the Sun, appearing in the sky all night.

• Brightness: The planet is appearing at its brightest and largest for the year, perfect to observe cloud bands and Galilean moons.  

• Coincidence: The date coincides with the maximum brightness of Comet 24P/Schaumasse, adding additional interest in the night sky. 

None Venus–Jupiter Conjunction – 9 June 

• Event: Venus and Jupiter stand very close to each other in the evening sky.

• Visual impact: This conjunction produces a striking pair of bright “stars” that is relatively easily visible from cities with minimal equipment.  

• Various lists in the literature provide topical areas to engage attention, while statements about minimal staffing requirements outline broad tasks to be performed. 

Jupiter–Mars Conjunction – 15 November 

• Timing: Best seen in the pre‑dawn sky.  

• Appearance: Mars, shining with a reddish hue, stands near the brighter Jupiter to create an attractive pairing in binoculars.  

Saturn at Opposition – 4 October 

• Viewing: Saturn is visible all night and strongly displays its rings in small telescopes. This would mean that people are striving to attain a long life rather than merely living a long life. 

• Opportunity: Good time to photograph the planet and ring system with basic astrophotography setups. Comets, Supermoons, and Auroras Beyond eclipses and meteor showers, there are several other events adding depth to the 2026 skywatching calendar.  

Comet 24P/Schaumasse – About 10 January 

• Brightness: The comet is predicted to reach maximum brightness around January 10, near Jupiter's opposition.  

• Observing: Depending upon its actual brightness, it may be seen in binoculars from dark sites as a diffuse coma with a short tail.