This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you may go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/photography/astrophotography/10-must-shoot-events-for-astrophotographers-in-2026
and if you wish to take away this text from our website please contact us
Digital Camera World
//HEADLINE//
10 must-shoot occasions for astrophotographers in 2026
//SELL//
After an exciting 2025 full of spectacular auroras, planet parades and two brilliant comets, astrophotographers have a lot to look ahead to in 2026.
In the 12 months forward, anticipate one other whole photo voltaic eclipse — this time over Europe — the ultimate “blood moon” for a number of years, an uncommon partial lunar eclipse, some attractive planetary conjunctions and loads of landmark meteor showers peaking beneath darkish, moonless skies.
Whether you’re a seasoned astrophotographer or simply getting began, listed below are the ten largest astrophotography alternatives to circle in your calendar in 2026.
1) January 10 (and October 4): Gas giants at opposition
Planetary cameras at the ready! For astrophotographers focused on the solar system’s two brightest and most imaging-friendly planets, the bright oppositions of Saturn and Jupiter should be double-underlined in any calendar. Jupiter will open 2026 looking its best (great timing for anyone lucky enough to be gifted astrophotography gear during the festive season), with Saturn following in October.
2) March 3: Total lunar eclipse
Here comes the third total lunar eclipse in three eclipse seasons — after two in 2025 — and the last until 2029. Astrophotographers in western North America, Australia, New Zealand, East Asia, and the Pacific will see the moon turn reddish for 58 minutes.
3) June 9 — Venus and Jupiter in conjunction
One of the most beautiful planetary conjunctions of 2026 will see Venus, as the bright “Evening Star,” shine less than two degrees from tiny planet Jupiter. The pair will be visible in the west just after sunset, close to the stars Pollux and Castor in the constellation Gemini, with the tiny planet Mercury visible below.
4) June 19 — Venus and the Beehive Cluster
Be outside with your camera and/or telescope facing east on June 19, 2026, to see a lovely “planet parade” of Venus, Jupiter and Mercury above the northwest horizon. Look more closely at Venus and you’ll see it surrounded by a dense concentration of stars — M44, better known as the Beehive Cluster and Praesepe, one of the most beautiful open clusters of stars in the night sky. The cluster will also be visited by the moon on September 8, 2026, and by Mars on October 11, 2026.
5) August 12 — Total solar eclipse
After a 26-year wait, European astrophotographers and eclipse chasers finally get a chance to see nature’s greatest sight on their own continent. While the U.K. will see an enormous partial solar eclipse — peaking at 96% in the Scilly Isles (and 91% in London) — the only good places to be will be on a cruise ship, eastern Greenland, on the west coast of Iceland (including the capital, Reykjavik) and northern Spain to witness an exquisite totality. For the latter, sightlines will be tricky because totality will occur just before sunset. Maximum totality will be 2 minutes 18 seconds near Iceland.
Check out how to prepare for the 2026 solar eclipse.
6) August 12-13 — Perseid meteor shower
For some, August 12, 2026, will feature a unique astrophotography double header, with the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower occurring the night after a solar eclipse. Expect about 60 meteors per hour in the early hours of August 13.
7) August 28 — Partial lunar eclipse
Most lunar eclipses aren’t total, but it’s rare for the moon to only partly enter Earth’s central shadow in space. That’s exactly what happens on August 28, 2026, when about 96% of the lunar surface will turn slightly reddish from North America, South America, parts of Europe and Africa. Is it a “blood moon?” Technically, it won’t be, but it’s as close as anyone will get until New Year’s Eve 2028.
8) October 5 and November 16: Mars in close conjunctions
The red planet will rise in the northeast in the early hours of October 5, 2026, with the 30% waning crescent moon less than a degree away. They’ll be visible in the southeast just before sunrise, with Jupiter shining brightly below. A similar positioning and timing will occur six weeks later, on November 16, 2026, when Mars and Jupiter will be just over a degree apart, with the bright star Regulus positioned just below.
9) December 13-14: Geminid meteor shower
It gets left off a lot of Northern Hemisphere astrophotographers’ calendars because of low temperatures and a higher chance of cloud. Still, it’s worth knowing that the Geminid meteor shower is, technically, the most prolific display of “shooting stars” of any year. In 2026, the peak occurs on a moonless night.
10) December 24 — A Christmas Eve supermoon for the ages
The supermoon on December 24, 2026, will be the closest and largest full moon since 2019, coming just 221,668 miles (356,740 km) from Earth. Appearing brighter and slightly bigger than usual, imaging it as it rises in the east on Christmas Eve will prove a fitting finale to 2026’s skywatching calendar.
This page was created programmatically, to read the article in its original location you can go to the link bellow:
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/photography/astrophotography/10-must-shoot-events-for-astrophotographers-in-2026
and if you wish to take away this text from our website please contact us
