Jan 3: Wolf Moon
3JanThe first Full Moon of the year is colloquially known as the Wolf Moon in many northern cultures.
Traditional Full Moon namesJan 3: Earth at Perihelion
3JanAt around 17:15 UTC, the Earth reaches perihelion—the point on its orbit closest to the Sun.
Jan 3/4: Quadrantid Meteor Shower
3JanThe first major meteor shower of 2026, the Quadrantids, peaks on the night of January 3 and the early morning hours of January 4 (depending on your time zone).
What is a meteor shower?Jan 10: Jupiter at Opposition
10 JanThe massive planet, Jupiter, reaches the opposite side of Earth to the Sun, and is visible from sunset to sunrise.
What is opposition?Jan 18: New Moon
18JanA New Moon in the sky means no moonlight to hinder your view of stars and planets. Use our Interactive Night Sky Map to find out what planets are visible tonight and where.
Feb 1: Snow Moon
1 FEBFebruary’s Full Moon is also known as the Snow Moon in many Northern Hemisphere cultures.
Feb 17: Annular Solar Eclipse
17 FebAn annular solar eclipse happens in a remote area of Antarctica. Parts of southern Africa and the southern tip of South America will see a small partial solar eclipse.
Protect your eyes. Never look directly at the Sun!Feb 17: New Moon
17 FebTake advantage of the New Moon to check out the skies with our Interactive Night Sky Map, weather permitting, of course.
Feb 19: Mercury at Greatest Elongation East
19 FebThis might be a good time to try and spot Mercury: The planet appears at its farthest distance from the Sun in the evening sky.
Find Mercury with our Interactive Night Sky MapMar 2/3: Total Lunar Eclipse
3 MarThis is the last total lunar eclipse until the very end of 2028. Totality will be visible across parts of North and South America, Australia, and Asia.
Eclipses in your locationMar 3: Worm Moon
3 MarThe Full Moon in March is traditionally called the Worm Moon, after earthworms that tend to appear around this time in many locations in the Northern Hemisphere.
Mar 19: New Moon
19 MarDark nights a few days before and after the Moon reaches its New Moon phase at 01:23 UTC on March 19 are the best nights to do some night sky watching—see our map!
Mar 20: March Equinox
20 MarThe March equinox is the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of fall in the Southern Hemisphere, by astronomical definitions.
Solstice & equinox times worldwideApr 2: Pink Moon
2AprApril’s Full Moon is traditionally known as the Pink Full Moon. In 2026, it falls at 02:11 UTC on April 2.
Apr 3: Mercury at Greatest Elongation West
3 AprThis might be a good time to try and spot Mercury: the planet appears at its farthest distance from the Sun in the morning sky.
Find Mercury with our Interactive Night Sky MapApr 13/14: Earthshine Mornings
13 AprThe Waxing and Waning Crescent Moon phases in April and May are the best time to see Earthshine, where the unlit part of the Moon becomes visible. It is also known as Da Vinci glow.
What’s on the far side of the Moon?Apr 17: New Moon
17 AprThe New Moon of April 2026 falls at 11:51 UTC on the 17th. At New Moon, the far side of the Moon—which we cannot see—is fully illuminated by the Sun.
Apr 20/21: Earthshine Nights
20 AprThe Waxing and Waning Crescent Moon phases in April and May are the best time to see Earthshine, where the unlit part of the Moon becomes visible. It is also known as Da Vinci glow.
What’s on the far side of the Moon?Apr 22/23: Lyrid Meteor Shower
22 AprThe Lyrid meteor shower is expected to peak around April 22 and 23, depending on your location.
What is a meteor shower?May 1: Flower Moon
1 MayMay’s Full Moon is known as the Flower Moon after all the flowers that bloom around this time in the Northern Hemisphere.
May 5/6: Eta Aquarid Meteors
5MayUse our handy Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map to increase your chances of seeing shooting stars from the Eta Aquarids.
What do I need to see a meteor shower?May 12/13: Earthshine Mornings
12 MayThe Waxing and Waning Crescent Moon phases in April and May are the best time to see Earthshine, where the unlit part of the Moon becomes visible. It is also known as Da Vinci glow.
What’s on the far side of the Moon?May 16: Super New Moon
16 MayThis month’s New Moon is at 20:01 UTC on May 16. It is the first of two Super New Moons in 2026.
Read more about SupermoonsMay 19/20: Earthshine Nights
19 MayThe Waxing and Waning Crescent Moon phases in April and May are the best time to see Earthshine, where the unlit part of the Moon becomes visible. It is also known as Da Vinci glow.
What’s on the far side of the Moon?May 31: Micro Blue Moon
31 MayAcross all time zones, this is the second Full Moon in the month of May, making it a monthly Blue Moon. It is also a Micromoon.
What is a Blue Moon?Jun 15: Super New Moon
15JunFollowing on from May, this is the second and final Super New Moon of 2026.
Read more about SupermoonsJun 15: Mercury at Greatest Elongation East
15 JunThis might be a good time to try and spot Mercury: the planet appears at its farthest distance from the Sun in the evening sky.
Find Mercury with our Interactive Night Sky MapJun 21: June Solstice
21JunThis solstice is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, where it is the longest day of the year.
In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year.
Jun 29: Micro Strawberry Moon
29JunThe Full Moon in June is often called the Strawberry Full Moon, after the berries that grow in the Northern Hemisphere around this time of the year. As with the Blue Moon at the end of May, it is a Micromoon.
Traditional Full Moon namesNote: All dates are UTC, unless otherwise stated.