Moon and Sun Take Center Stage in 2026’s Lineup of Cosmic Events
The moon and the sun will headline a busy calendar of celestial events in 2026, from major eclipses to lunar missions and eye-catching supermoons.
The year begins with renewed focus on the moon as NASA prepares to send astronauts past it for the first time in more than 50 years under its Artemis program. Alongside human missions, a wave of robotic landers is planned, including Blue Origin’s oversized Blue Moon prototype, as well as landers from U.S. and Chinese companies targeting scientifically rich regions of the lunar surface.
Solar activity will also draw attention, highlighted by two major eclipses. A rare “ring-of-fire” annular solar eclipse will occur over Antarctica in February, followed by a total solar eclipse on Aug. 12 that will sweep across parts of the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland and Spain. Several lunar eclipses are also scheduled throughout the year.
Skywatchers can expect planetary spectacles as well. Six planets will line up in late February, with most visible to the naked eye, while Mars joins a similar parade in August. Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and Mercury will be the easiest to spot shortly after sunset, weather permitting.
Three supermoons will brighten the night skies in 2026, including a particularly close and bright one on Christmas Eve. These full moons appear larger than usual as the moon reaches the closest point in its orbit around Earth.
Meanwhile, scientists expect continued bursts of solar activity, increasing the chances of vivid auroras in lower latitudes, though activity should gradually ease as the sun moves into the quieter phase of its 11-year cycle. For astronomers and casual stargazers alike, 2026 promises no shortage of cosmic drama.