If you are an astronomer or a casual stargazer, the year 2026 will bring a calendar full of dates to mark. Scientists have been able to forecast and predict the order of the main astronomical events for 2026, including meteor showers and a full moon in January, twilight and planet pairings in February, a faint comet in March, the Lyrid meteor shower in April, a lunar occultation with Jupiter in May, the glow in the Milky Way core in June, the start of the Delta Aquariids in July, Neptune not at opposition in September, the Draconid meteor shower in October, the intersection of meteor showers in November, and the brightness of Mars in December.
If you read carefully, you will have noticed that one month is missing: August. It has not been a coincidence, as this is the most significant month for NASA since the astronomical event for this month is the most remarkable: on August 16, a total eclipse will occur where the Sun and the Moon will form a conjunction with each other, causing the average temperature to drop and daylight to disappear for a few minutes.
Astronomical Events Calendar for 2026
Every year, astronomical events occur that can be more or less visible from Earth, and 2026 will be no exception. Scientists have been able to predict not only these astronomical events but also the complete order in which they will happen throughout the next year, creating a calendar. If you are an enthusiast, a stargazer, you might want to take note and save this article.
- January: Early meteor shower and full moon. Skies will welcome a shower of meteorites in the first weeks of the month. We will also witness the Wolf Moon on January 3.
- February: Twilight pairing of planets and full moon. the first day of the month we will witness the Snow Moon. During the month, Venus and Saturn will create an orbital pairing in the night sky.
- March: Faint comet and full moon. Scientists will be able to view the passing of the faint comet 3I/ATLAS. Also, we will see the Worm Moon.
- April: Lyrid meteor shower and full moon. Besides the Pink Moon, we will witness the dust trails by Comet Thatcher in a meteor display.
- May: Lunar occultation with Jupiter and full moon. By the end of the month we’ll see the Blue Moon, and a conjunction will be formed between the Moon and Jupiter.
- June: Rare brightness in the Milky Way core and full moon. The Strawberry Moon will take place and astronomers will be able to see a rare brightness at the centre of the Milky Way like never before.
- July: Beginning of Delta Aquariids and full moon. Scientists expect a slow double meteor shower and the Buck Moon.
- August: Total solar eclipse and full moon. A total solar eclipse will occur and be seen across Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain, followed by the Sturgeon Moon.
- September: Neptune in opposition and full moon. The distant giant in our solar system will open a rare window for clarity. Then, we see the Harvest Moon.
- October: The Draconids meteor and full moon. We will witness a shower of Draconid meteors across the sky. Then we see the Hunter’s full moon.
- November: Intersection of meteor showers. The Taurids and Leonids showers will overlap in a fireball-hazardous manner. Then we see the Beaver Moon.
- December: Mars would shine again. Scientists will be able to watch Mars from a brighter window. Plus, we see the Cold Moon.
Solar Eclipse in August, 2026
Despite the busy schedule ahead for 2026, NASA has its own highlight: the total eclipse in August. It will be then that the sun and the moon form a conjunction with each other, aligning to make the sunlight disappear for a few minutes. This astronomical event will take place on August 16 at noon and will be visible in Europe, where the average temperature will drop suddenly during the event. Experts describe it as a historic astronomical event due to its geometry, as it will form a ring of fire.