Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

2026: A Year of Spectacular Lunar Events Ahead!

1/3/2026

37 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Astronomical Events 2026

A total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026, lasting 58 minutes, will turn the moon a reddish hue.
A supermoon will light the night sky on January 3, 2026.
Two micromoons will appear in May 2026, with the second on May 31, 2026, being the smallest full moon.
Overall, the year promises many astronomical phenomena that should boost public interest in space observation.

Summary

NASA's Artemis II Launch

In 2026, NASA's Artemis II will launch February 5 with four astronauts, including Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, marking the first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit since 1972.
On February 17, an annular solar eclipse will be visible over Antarctica.
On August 12, a total solar eclipse will be visible across parts of Europe.
The Perseids meteor shower occurs in August.
Uncrewed missions to the Moon will advance international collaboration.

History

Historical Context

The Apollo 17 mission, launched on December 7, 1972, was the final crewed lunar landing, with astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt collecting 110.5 kilograms of lunar samples. This mission not only marked the end of the Apollo program but also sparked renewed interest in space exploration, leading to future initiatives like NASA's Artemis II mission, aimed at returning humans to the Moon and beyond.

1 of 3

Astronomical Events 2026

A total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026, lasting 58 minutes, will turn the moon a reddish hue.
A supermoon will light the night sky on January 3, 2026.
Two micromoons will appear in May 2026, with the second on May 31, 2026, being the smallest full moon.
Overall, the year promises many astronomical phenomena that should boost public interest in space observation.

1 / 3