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Night Sky Events 2026: Discover Meteor Showers, Eclipses & More

Alright stargazers, buckle up and butter your nebula buns ‘cos 2026 is shaping up to be an absolute banger for anyone who loves a good meteor shower, a bloody gorgeous lunar eclipse, or any excuse to stay up past midnight staring at the sky instead of paying bills. Bookmark this page and never miss an event.

This year’s sky calendar is packed with major astronomy events that’ll have your telescope begging for a night out. Whether you’re in Brisbane, NSW, VIC, WA, SA, Tassie, the NT, I’ve rounded up a bunch of astronomy events worth marking on your calendar.

All the big moments. All the peak times. All optimised for local viewing conditions, so you know exactly when to point your eyeballs (or your shiny telescope) at the heavens.

Let’s dive into the year where the stars put on a better show than half the stuff on Netflix, and yes, I checked the moon phases so you don’t have to.

January

  • 02 January: Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri (Taurus).
  • 03 January: 🌠 Quadrantids Meteor Shower peaks. A short but intense shower. Watch for bright meteors in the early morning sky.
  • 03 January: πŸŒ• Full Moon (Wolf Moon).
  • 04 January: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter (Gemini).
  • 04 January:Β β˜„οΈ Comet 24P/Schaumasse passes perigeeΒ (Virgo).
  • 06 January:Β β˜„οΈ Comet 24P/Schaumasse reaches peak brightnessΒ (Virgo).
  • 07 January: Lunar occultation of Regulus (Leo).
  • 08 January: β˜„οΈΒ Comet Wierzchos (C/2023 A3)Β expected around mag 5.
  • 10 January: Last Quarter Moon.
  • 15 January: Lunar occultation of Antares (Scorpius).
  • 19 January: πŸŒ‘ New Moon.
  • 20 January: β˜„οΈ Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) passes perihelion (Microscopium).
  • 20 January: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars (Aries).
  • 23 January: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn.
  • 26 January: First Quarter Moon.
  • 26 January: β˜„οΈ Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) reaches peak brightness (Grus).
  • 29 January: Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri (Taurus).
  • 31 January: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter (Gemini).

February

  • 02 February: Lunar occultation of Regulus (Leo).
  • 08 February: 🌠 Alpha Centaurids Meteor Shower peaks. Runs roughly from late January to mid-February, peaking on 8 February. This shower is best seen from Australia and New Zealand, with bright, fast meteors streaking across the pre-dawn sky. Dark, clear skies away from city lights make for the best viewing.
  • 09 February: Last Quarter Moon.
  • 11 February: Lunar occultation of Antares (Scorpius).
  • 14 February: Lunar occultation of Sigma Sagittarii (Sagittarius).
  • 16 February: Conjunction of Saturn and Neptune.
  • 17 February: Annular Solar Eclipse.
  • 17 February: πŸŒ‘ New Moon.
  • 17 February: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury.
  • 17 February: β˜„οΈ Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) passes perigee (Sculptor).
  • 19 February: Lunar occultation of Mercury (Aquarius).
  • 20 February: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn.
  • 24 February: First Quarter Moon.
  • 26 February: Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri (Taurus).
  • 27 February: Conjunction of Venus and Mercury.
  • 27 February: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter.

All February: β˜„οΈ Comet Wierzchos (C/2023 A3) remains around mag 5

March

  • 02 March: Lunar occultation of Regulus (Leo).
  • 03 March: Total Lunar Eclipse. Visible from Australia. Watch the Moon turn a fiery red during totality.
  • 03 March: πŸŒ• Full Moon (Blood Moon). Coincides with the eclipse, a show you don’t want to miss.
  • 06 March: Conjunction of Ceres and Eris.
  • 07 March: Conjunction of Venus and Neptune.
  • 09 March: Conjunction of Venus and Saturn.
  • 10 March: Lunar occultation of Antares (Scorpius).
  • 11 March: Last Quarter Moon.
  • 13 March: Lunar occultation of Sigma Sagittarii (Sagittarius).
  • 14 March: Conjunction of Mars and Mercury.
  • 18 March: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury.
  • 18 March: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars.
  • 18 March: β˜„οΈ Comet 88P/Howell passes perihelion (Capricornus).
  • 19 March: πŸŒ‘ New Moon.
  • 20 March: March Equinox. The Sun crosses the equator, marking the start of autumn in the southern hemisphere.
  • 20 March: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus.
  • 25 March: Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri (Taurus).
  • 26 March: First Quarter Moon.
  • 26 March: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter.
  • 30 March: Lunar occultation of Regulus (Leo).

April

  • 02 April: πŸŒ• Full Moon.
  • 07 April: Lunar occultation of Antares (Scorpius).
  • 08 April: Conjunction of Venus and Ceres.
  • 09 April: Lunar occultation of Sigma Sagittarii (Sagittarius).
  • 10 April: Last Quarter Moon.
  • 13 April: Conjunction of Mars and Neptune.
  • 16 April: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury.
  • 16 April: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars.
  • 16 April: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn.
  • 17 April: Conjunction of Mercury and Neptune.
  • 17 April: πŸŒ‘ New Moon.
  • 19 April: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus.
  • 20 April: Conjunction of Mercury and Mars.
  • 20 April: Conjunction of Mercury and Saturn.
  • 21 April: Conjunction of Saturn and Mars.
  • 21 April: Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri (Taurus).
  • 22 April: β˜„οΈ Comet 141P/Machholz passes perihelion (Aries).
  • 22–23 April: 🌠 Lyrids Meteor Shower peaks. Runs from around 16–25 April, peaking on 22–23 April. Best viewed in the pre-dawn sky looking northeast, the Lyrids are known for their swift, bright meteors, sometimes leaving short, glowing trails. Clear, dark skies away from city lights give the best show. This meteor shower favours the Northern Hemisphere.
  • 23 April: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter.
  • 24 April: Conjunction of Venus and Uranus.
  • 24 April: First Quarter Moon.
  • 26 April: Lunar occultation of Regulus (Leo).

May

  • 02 May: πŸŒ• Full Moon.
  • 02 May: Conjunction of Mercury and Eris.
  • 04 May: Lunar occultation of Antares (Scorpius).
  • 07 May: Lunar occultation of Sigma Sagittarii (Sagittarius).
  • 10 May: Last Quarter Moon.
  • 14 May: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn.
  • 15 May: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars.
  • 17 May: πŸŒ‘ New Moon.
  • 19 May: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus.
  • 19 May: Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri (Taurus).
  • 23 May: Lunar occultation of Regulus (Leo).
  • 23 May: First Quarter Moon.
  • 05–06 May: 🌠 Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower peaks. Runs from late April to mid-May, peaking on 5–6 May. Best viewed before dawn from southern Australia, the Eta Aquariids deliver fast, bright meteors with long, graceful trails, originating from the radiant in Aquarius. Clear, dark skies give the best spectacle.
  • 31 May: πŸŒ• Full Moon.
  • 31 May: Lunar occultation of Antares (Scorpius).

June

  • 03 June: Lunar occultation of Sigma Sagittarii (Sagittarius).
  • 08 June: Last Quarter Moon.
  • 09 June: Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter.
  • 10 June: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn.
  • 13 June: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars.
  • 15 June: πŸŒ‘ New Moon.
  • 17 June: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury.
  • 17 June: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter.
  • 18 June: Lunar occultation of Venus (Cancer).
  • 20 June: Lunar occultation of Regulus (Leo).
  • 22 June: First Quarter Moon.
  • 25 June: β˜„οΈ Comet 78P/Gehrels passes perihelion (Taurus).
  • 28 June: Lunar occultation of Antares (Scorpius).
  • 30 June: Lunar occultation of Sigma Sagittarii (Sagittarius).
  • 30 June: πŸŒ• Full Moon.

July

  • 04 July: Conjunction of Mars and Uranus.
  • 08 July: Lunar occultation of the Moon and Saturn (Pisces).
  • 08 July: Last Quarter Moon.
  • 12 July: Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri (Taurus).
  • 14 July: πŸŒ‘ New Moon.
  • 17 July: Lunar occultation of Regulus (Leo).
  • 18 July: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus (Leo).
  • 21 July: First Quarter Moon.
  • 25 July: Lunar occultation of Antares (Scorpius).
  • 28 July: Lunar occultation of Sigma Sagittarii (Sagittarius).
  • 29 July: πŸŒ• Full Moon.
  • 30–31 July: 🌠 Delta Aquariids & Alpha Capricornids Meteor Showers peak. The Delta Aquariids (12 July–23 August) and Alpha Capricornids (3–15 August) peak on 30–31 July. Best viewed from the southern hemisphere, especially Australia and New Zealand, in dark, pre-dawn skies, these showers offer long, bright trails, with the Alpha Capricornids occasionally producing spectacular fireballs.

August

  • 06 August: Last Quarter Moon.
  • 09 August: Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri (Taurus).
  • 10 August: Conjunction of Mars and Ceres (Orion).
  • 11 August: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury (Cancer).
  • 12 August: Total Solar Eclipse.
  • 12–13 August: 🌠 Perseids Meteor Shower peaks. The Perseids Meteor Shower runs from about 17 July–24 August, peaking on 12–13 August. One of the year’s most spectacular showers, it’s famous for bright, fast meteors visible in the pre-dawn sky, especially from the northern hemisphere.
  • 15 August: Conjunction of Jupiter and Mercury (Cancer).
  • 16 August: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus (Virgo).
  • 20 August: First Quarter Moon.
  • 21 August: Lunar occultation of Antares (Scorpius).
  • 24 August: Lunar occultation of Sigma Sagittarii (Sagittarius).
  • 27-28 August: Partial Lunar Eclipse.
  • 28 August: πŸŒ• Full Moon.

September

  • 04 September: Last Quarter Moon.
  • 05 September: Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri (Taurus).
  • 07 September: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars (Gemini).
  • 09 September: Lunar occultation of Jupiter (Cancer).
  • 09 September: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter (Cancer).
  • 11 September: πŸŒ‘ New Moon.
  • 12 September: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury (Virgo).
  • 14 September: Lunar occultation of Venus (Virgo).
  • 14 September: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus (Virgo).
  • 17 September: Lunar occultation of Antares (Scorpius).
  • 19 September: First Quarter Moon.
  • 20 September: Lunar occultation of Sigma Sagittarii (Sagittarius).
  • 23 September: September Equinox. Start of spring in the southern hemisphere.
  • 27 September: πŸŒ• Full Moon.
  • 27 September: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn (Cetus).

October

  • 02 October: Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri (Taurus).
  • 03 October: Last Quarter Moon.
  • 05 October: Lunar occultation of Mars (Cancer).
  • 06 October: Lunar occultation of Jupiter (Leo).
  • 06 October: Conjunction of Venus and Mercury (Virgo).
  • 07 October: Lunar occultation of Regulus (Leo).
  • 06 October: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter (Leo).
  • 10 October: πŸŒ‘ New Moon.
  • 12 October: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus (Virgo).
  • 13 October: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury (Libra).
  • 15 October: Lunar occultation of Antares (Scorpius).
  • 18 October: Lunar occultation of Sigma Sagittarii (Sagittarius).
  • 19 October: First Quarter Moon.
  • 21–22 October: 🌠 Orionids Meteor Shower peaks. The Orionids Meteor Shower runs from about 2–7 October, peaking on 21–22 October. These meteors are fast and bright, streaking across the sky from the northeast before dawn, and are remnants of Halley’s Comet.
  • 25 October: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn (Cetus).
  • 26 October: πŸŒ• Full Moon (Hunter’s Moon).
  • 30 October: Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri (Taurus).

November

  • 02 November: Last Quarter Moon.
  • 02 November: Lunar occultation of Mars (Leo).
  • 03 November: Lunar occultation of Jupiter (Leo).
  • 03 November: Lunar occultation of Regulus (Leo).
  • 03 November: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars (Leo).
  • 03 November: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter (Leo).
  • 07 November: Lunar occultation of Venus (Virgo).
  • 07 November: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus (Virgo).
  • 09 November: πŸŒ‘ New Moon.
  • 11 November: Lunar occultation of Antares (Scorpius).
  • 14 November: Lunar occultation of Sigma Sagittarii (Sagittarius).
  • 15 November: Conjunction of Jupiter and Mars (Leo).
  • 17 November: First Quarter Moon.
  • 17–18 November: 🌠 Leonids Meteor Shower peaks. The Leonids Meteor Shower runs from about 6–30 November, peaking around 17–18 November. It’s known for fast meteors and occasional bright fireballs, best seen in the early morning when Leo is high in the sky.
  • 21 November: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn (Cetus).
  • 24 November: πŸŒ• Full Moon (Beaver Moon).
  • 26 November: Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri (Taurus).
  • 30 November: Lunar occultation of Jupiter (Leo).

December

  • 01 December: Last Quarter Moon.
  • 01 December: Lunar occultation of Regulus (Leo).
  • 05 December: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus (Virgo).
  • 08 December: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury (Libra).
  • 09 December: πŸŒ‘ New Moon.
  • 11 December: Lunar occultation of Sigma Sagittarii (Sagittarius).
  • 13–14 December: 🌠 Geminid Meteor Shower. The Geminids run from about 4–17 December, with the radiant sitting in the Gemini constellation, and they’re famously one of the most reliable and beautiful meteor showers of the year, serving up bright meteors, long trails, and impressively high rates under good conditions. Your best bet is to head out from late evening through to early morning, get comfy with the radiant high overhead, and let your eyes wander across the sky.
  • 17 December: First Quarter Moon.
  • 18 December: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn (Cetus).
  • 21–22 December: 🌠 Ursids Meteor Shower peaks. Perfect for late-night meteor hunting in the northern sky.
  • 23 December: Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri (Taurus).
  • 24 December: πŸŒ• Full Moon (Cold Moon).
  • 28 December: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter (Leo).
  • 29 December: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars (Leo).
  • 31 December: Last Quarter Moon.