Astronomical Events 2026
18 events including eclipses, solstices, equinoxes, and meteor showers.
January 2026
February 2026
March 2026
Total Lunar Eclipse
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon. The Moon turns a deep red or copper colour during totality.
March Equinox
The March (vernal) equinox marks the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward. Day and night are approximately equal in length worldwide.
April 2026
May 2026
June 2026
July 2026
August 2026
Total Solar Eclipse
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely blocks the Sun, revealing the solar corona. The path of totality is a narrow band across Earth's surface.
Perseids
The Perseids are the most popular meteor shower of the year, producing up to 100 bright meteors per hour including many fireballs. Best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere during warm summer nights.
Partial Lunar Eclipse
A partial lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon. Part of the Moon enters Earth's umbral shadow.
September 2026
October 2026
Draconids
The Draconids are unusual because they are best viewed in the early evening rather than after midnight. They are typically modest but can produce rare outbursts of hundreds of meteors per hour.
Orionids
The Orionids are the second meteor shower caused by debris from Halley's Comet. They produce fast, bright meteors that often leave persistent trains visible for several seconds.
November 2026
December 2026
Geminids
The Geminids are the strongest and most reliable annual meteor shower, producing up to 150 multicoloured meteors per hour. Unusually, they originate from an asteroid rather than a comet.
December Solstice
The December solstice marks the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest in the Southern Hemisphere. The Sun reaches its lowest point in the sky.
Ursids
The Ursids are a modest shower best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere. They peak near the December solstice and occasionally produce short bursts of 25+ meteors per hour.