What’s in the night sky for 2026
For a more comprehensive guide to the 2026 night sky see this member-only guide.
The 2026 Highlights
January
Jupiter is a glorious sight all month, high in the south as it approaches closest approach on the 9th.
The moon passes through the Pleiades towards the end of the month (27th). Club meets 5th.
February
There’s an eclipse, but only in Antarctica.
On the 18th, after sunset, you can see Mercury and Venus with the crescent moon in between the two planets.
Club meets 2nd. Club Sherwood observatory visit on 4th.
March
Venus is near to Neptune (7th), Saturn (8th), the moon (20th).
On the 29th the occults Regulus during daylight. This bright star reappears around 8.20pm.
Club meets 2nd.
April
Venus, the moon and the Pleiades have another close encounter on the 19th.
The Lyrid meteor shower’s peak is the 22nd/23rd.
Club meets 6th.
May
Nothing spectacular this month. Club AGM and meeting 4th.
June and July
As the nights hardly get dark for two months, the best views are of the moon and Venus in June/July. No monthly Club meeting at ERA, but we may organise some ad-hoc summer observing.
August
ERA monthly meetings are back.
Partial solar eclipse on the 12th around 6.30pm (take precautions to protect your eyesight).
Perseid meteors peak 12th/13th.
Partial Lunar eclipse on the 28th around 5 a.m.
Club meets 7th.
September
Club meets 5th
October
Club meets 5th.
November
Club meets 2nd.
December
Club meets 7th