2026 Brings Rare Eclipses and Planetary Alignments to Europe's Night Sky
2026 Brings Rare Eclipses and Planetary Alignments to Europe's Night Sky
2026 Brings Rare Eclipses and Planetary Alignments to Europe's Night Sky
Skywatchers in Europe will have several remarkable celestial events to look forward to in 2026. From rare eclipses to planetary alignments and meteor showers, the year promises striking displays. Some phenomena, like the total solar eclipse in August, will be visible across parts of Spain, while others, such as the total lunar eclipse in March, will only appear in distant regions.
The year begins with the Wolf Supermoon on January 3, marking the first full moon of 2026. Later that month, comet C/2024 E1 reaches perihelion on January 20, potentially offering a faint but visible spectacle for those with telescopes.
On February 1, the Snow Moon lights up the night sky, followed by the Worm Moon on March 3. This full moon coincides with a total lunar eclipse, known as a Blutmond, but visibility will be limited to North America, the Pacific, East Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Europe, including Germany, will miss this event entirely.
A rare six-planet alignment occurs on February 28, best seen in Paris between 19:00 and 19:30 local time. Observers should look shortly after dusk for the clearest view. The Pink Moon, the first full moon of spring, follows on April 1, with the Lyrids meteor shower peaking soon after on April 22–23.
May brings two notable events: the Flower Moon on May 1 and the Eta Aquariids meteor shower on May 6. The month closes with a Blue Moon on May 31, the first since August 2024, which will also be a micromoon.
Summer starts with the Strawberry Moon, a micromoon, on June 29, and the Buck Moon—another micromoon—on July 29. On August 12, a total solar eclipse sweeps across Spain, with the best views along the path of totality. Other parts of Europe will experience a partial eclipse.
Later in August, the Sturgeon Moon on August 28 aligns with a deep partial lunar eclipse. The Harvest Moon, the first full moon of autumn, rises on September 26.
Many of 2026's astronomical highlights will be visible across Europe, though some, like the March lunar eclipse, will only appear in distant regions. The August solar eclipse and February's planetary alignment offer the most accessible displays for European observers. Clear skies and good timing will be key to witnessing these events.