2026 promises to be an exciting year for stargazers, filled with stunning celestial events like full moons, meteor showers, and eclipses.
### Celestial Highlights
The year opens with the full wolf moon on January 6, marking the first of three supermoons. Supermoons appear larger and brighter because they’re closer to Earth. On this night, Jupiter will shine brightly south of the moon, adding to the spectacle, as noted by EarthSky.
However, you may miss the Quadrantid meteor shower peaking around the same time due to the supermoon’s brightness. The Quadrantids typically peak between 4 PM and 7 PM ET, which will coincide with the full moon’s radiance.
There’s plenty more to see throughout the year. Robert Lunsford, a fireball report coordinator for the American Meteor Society, highlights two exceptional meteor showers: the Perseids and the Geminids.
### Full Moons and Blue Moons
In most years, there are 12 full moons. However, 2026 will see 13 full moons, including two in May. The second full moon of the month is known as a “blue moon,” making for a rare sight since blue moons occur about every 2.5 years.
The average distance of the moon from Earth is about 238,900 miles (384,472 kilometers). But December’s supermoon will be the closest, floating just 221,667 miles (356,740 kilometers) away, according to EarthSky.
Here’s the list of full moons for 2026:
– February 1: Snow moon
– March 3: Worm moon
– April 1: Pink moon
– May 1: Flower moon
– May 31: Blue moon
– June 29: Strawberry moon
– July 29: Buck moon
– August 28: Sturgeon moon
– September 26: Harvest moon
– October 26: Hunter’s moon
– November 24: Beaver moon
– December 23: Cold moon
### Meteor Showers
After the Quadrantids in January, the Lyrids will grace the sky in April. Here are other key meteor shower dates:
– Lyrids: April 21-22
– Eta Aquariids: May 5-6
– Perseids: August 12-13
– Orionids: October 21-22
– Geminids: December 13-14
These events draw excitement, especially the Perseids, which are known for their brilliant displays. Lunsford mentioned that last year’s Geminids had peak rates of about 135 meteors per hour. He’s optimistic about similar rates in 2026 after moonset.
### Eclipses
Sky enthusiasts will also enjoy two solar eclipses and two lunar eclipses in 2026.
An annular solar eclipse will occur on February 17, with a “ring of fire” effect visible in places like Antarctica. Just a few months later, on August 12, a total solar eclipse will take over parts of Greenland, Iceland, and Spain.
Lunar eclipses will grace the sky on March 3 and August 27-28. During a total lunar eclipse, sunlight filters through Earth’s atmosphere, casting a red glow on the moon—often referred to as a “blood moon.”
### Planetary Parades
February will feature a rare alignment of six planets. Saturn, Venus, and Mercury will grace the horizons, while Neptune and Uranus will require binoculars.
As the year unfolds, keep an eye out for the captivating dance of planets. For example, on May 19, the crescent moon will be positioned between Jupiter and Venus, creating a stunning sight.
### Conclusion
With these celestial events, 2026 is set to be a memorable year for stargazers. Whether it’s the full moons, meteor showers, or eclipses, each event offers a chance to marvel at the night sky. So grab your binoculars or telescope, and get ready to explore the wonders above!
Source link
eclipse
