Watching the photo voltaic eclipse in Menan, Idaho in 2017
Natalie Behring/Getty Photographs
As one 12 months attracts to a detailed, I wish to get enthusiastic about what the 12 months forward has in retailer for me when it comes to astronomical occasions, and pop them in my calendar. For 2026, high of my record are the planets lining up, varied eclipses and the same old calendar of meteor showers. All these occasions are seen in each hemispheres, until I’ve specified.
In January, the darkish skies within the northern hemisphere will hopefully carry us loads of possibilities to glimpse the aurora, because it continues to be an lively time for photo voltaic flares. The Quadrantid meteor bathe, peaking on 3 January, must also be a stunning spectacle, though the complete moon that evening may obscure among the fainter meteors.
Jupiter will probably be shiny within the sky all through January, because it reaches opposition, which means it’s on the alternative aspect of Earth from the solar. That is one of the best time to take a look at this gorgeous planet by way of binoculars or a telescope.
On the finish of February, there will probably be an opportunity to see a powerful six-planet parade as Mercury, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus and Jupiter will stretch throughout the sky, all seen without delay, simply after sundown on 28 February.
On 2 and three March, there will probably be a complete lunar eclipse seen from elements of North and South America, Asia, Australia and the Pacific Islands. The moon will enter a shadow solid by Earth, turning it darker and a crimson color – giving it the evocative identify Blood Moon.
Different meteor showers to pop within the diary embody the Lyrids, peaking on 22 April, the Perseids, peaking on 12 August, the Leonids on 17 November and the Geminids on 14 December.
In addition to these showers, one other thrilling occasion would be the complete photo voltaic eclipse on 12 August. The moon and solar will align within the sky in order that the moon completely blocks out the solar’s gentle for a couple of moments, considered from sure elements of Earth (the one pictured is from 2017, seen in Menan, Idaho).
Totality – the time wherein the solar’s gentle is totally blocked by the moon – will probably be as much as 2 minutes and 18 seconds lengthy. The full eclipse will probably be seen from northern Spain, the Balearic Islands, elements of Russia, Greenland and Iceland. However partial eclipses will probably be seen from many extra locations all over the world. As standard with photo voltaic eclipses, a few weeks later, there will probably be a partial lunar eclipse, or Blood Moon, on 28 August.
When you’ve got a strong telescope, 25 September will probably be an ideal time to search for Neptune, as it will likely be at its closest to Earth and totally lit by the solar. Then, on 4 October, Saturn will probably be at opposition, making it one of the best time of the 12 months to view the planet and, probably, its rings by way of a small telescope. It will likely be seen all evening.
There are additionally two supermoons to be careful for on the finish of 2026. The primary, on 24 November, is the Beaver Moon. Then the 12 months rounds off with a Christmas eve supermoon. Joyful stargazing!
These articles are posted every week at
newscientist.com/maker
Abigail Beall is a specials editor at New Scientist and creator of The Artwork of City Astronomy. Comply with her @abbybeall
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