Sky calendar
Showers, eclipses, planets and the Moon for 2026 and 2027, with times and directions for .
January 2026
-
3Sat
Full moon
The Moon is opposite the Sun, fully lit, and up from dusk to dawn.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
-
3Sat
Quadrantids peak
Dust from the asteroid 2003 EH1 burns up in the air: up to 80 meteors an hour under a perfectly dark sky, fewer from a town.
Northern hemisphere only, in the hours before dawn. The peak is short, a few hours.
-
10Sat
Jupiter at opposition
Jupiter is opposite the Sun: up all night and at its brightest of the year. Binoculars show its four large moons.
Rises at sunset, highest around midnight, in Gemini.
-
18Sun
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
February 2026
-
1Sun
Full moon
The Moon is opposite the Sun, fully lit, and up from dusk to dawn.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
-
17Tue
New moon
The Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, and this time right in front of it: an annular solar eclipse.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
17Tue
Annular solar eclipse
The Moon is too far from Earth to cover the Sun, leaving a ring of fire along a path across Antarctica, for up to 2 minutes 20 seconds.
A partial eclipse is seen from southern Argentina and Chile, southern Africa and Antarctica. Never look at the Sun without eclipse glasses.
-
18Wed
The Moon and Mercury
The waxing thin crescent Moon passes 0.1° from Mercury, less than a finger’s width at arm’s length. From some parts of the world it passes right in front of Mercury.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
March 2026
-
3Tue
Total lunar eclipse
The full Moon passes right into Earth’s shadow and turns a deep copper red for 58 minutes.
Seen from eastern Asia, Australia, the Pacific and the Americas: everywhere the Moon is up at the time.
-
3Tue
Full moon
It passes through Earth’s shadow: a total lunar eclipse.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
-
17Tue
The Moon and Mercury
The waning thin crescent Moon passes 1.8° from Mercury, about two finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
17Tue
The Moon and Mars
The waning thin crescent Moon passes 1.4° from Mars, about a finger’s width at arm’s length.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
19Thu
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
20Fri
March equinox
The Sun crosses the equator heading north: spring begins in the northern hemisphere, autumn in the southern.
Day and night are close to equal length everywhere.
April 2026
-
2Thu
Full moon
The Moon is opposite the Sun, fully lit, and up from dusk to dawn.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
-
17Fri
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
19Sun
Mars and Saturn
Mars and Saturn pass 1.2° apart, about a finger’s width at arm’s length.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
20Mon
Mercury and Saturn
Mercury and Saturn pass 0.5° apart, less than a finger’s width at arm’s length: one bright double point of light.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
20Mon
Mercury and Mars
Mercury and Mars pass 1.7° apart, about two finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
22Wed
Lyrids peak
Dust from Comet Thatcher burns up in the air: up to 18 meteors an hour under a perfectly dark sky, fewer from a town.
Best from the northern hemisphere, after midnight.
May 2026
-
1Fri
Full moon
The Moon is opposite the Sun, fully lit, and up from dusk to dawn.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
-
6Wed
Eta Aquariids peak
Dust from Halley's Comet burns up in the air: up to 50 meteors an hour under a perfectly dark sky, fewer from a town.
Best from the southern hemisphere and the tropics, in the last hours before dawn.
-
16Sat
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
19Tue
The Moon and Venus
The waxing crescent Moon passes 2.9° from Venus, about three finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
31Sun
Full moon, the farthest of the year
At 406,100 km it is the most distant full moon of 2026, the smallest it looks all year. The second full moon in May, sometimes called a blue moon.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
June 2026
-
9Tue
Venus and Jupiter
Venus and Jupiter pass 1.6° apart, about two finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
15Mon
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
16Tue
The Moon and Mercury
The waxing thin crescent Moon passes 2.5° from Mercury, about three finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
17Wed
The Moon and Jupiter
The waxing crescent Moon passes 2.5° from Jupiter, about three finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
17Wed
The Moon and Venus
The waxing crescent Moon passes 0.3° from Venus, less than a finger’s width at arm’s length. From some parts of the world it passes right in front of Venus.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
21Sun
June solstice
The Sun stands farthest north: the longest day in the northern hemisphere, the shortest in the southern.
Day length reaches its yearly extreme.
-
30Tue
Full moon
The Moon is opposite the Sun, fully lit, and up from dusk to dawn.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
July 2026
-
14Tue
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
17Fri
The Moon and Venus
The waxing crescent Moon passes 1.8° from Venus, about two finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
29Wed
Full moon
The Moon is opposite the Sun, fully lit, and up from dusk to dawn.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
-
31Fri
Southern Delta Aquariids peak
Dust from an old comet burns up in the air: up to 25 meteors an hour under a perfectly dark sky, fewer from a town.
Best from the southern hemisphere and the tropics, after midnight.
August 2026
-
11Tue
The Moon and Mercury
The waning thin crescent Moon passes 2° from Mercury, about two finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
12Wed
New moon
The Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, and this time right in front of it: a total solar eclipse.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
12Wed
Total solar eclipse
The Moon covers the Sun completely along a narrow path across the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland and Spain, for up to 2 minutes 18 seconds.
A partial eclipse is seen from northern North America, western Africa and Europe. Never look at the Sun without eclipse glasses.
-
13Thu
Perseids peak
Dust from Comet Swift-Tuttle burns up in the air: up to 100 meteors an hour under a perfectly dark sky, fewer from a town.
Northern hemisphere, best after midnight. Warm nights, many bright meteors.
-
16Sun
The Moon and Venus
The waxing crescent Moon passes 1.8° from Venus, about two finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
28Fri
Partial lunar eclipse
Earth’s shadow covers 93 % of the Moon’s width at the deepest point, a dark bite that lasts 3 hours 18 minutes.
Seen from the eastern Pacific, the Americas, Europe and Africa: everywhere the Moon is up at the time.
-
28Fri
Full moon
It passes through Earth’s shadow: a partial lunar eclipse.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
September 2026
-
6Sun
The Moon and Mars
The waning crescent Moon passes 3° from Mars, about three finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
8Tue
The Moon and Jupiter
The waning crescent Moon passes 0.8° from Jupiter, less than a finger’s width at arm’s length. From some parts of the world it passes right in front of Jupiter.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
11Fri
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
14Mon
The Moon and Venus
The waxing crescent Moon passes 0.5° from Venus, less than a finger’s width at arm’s length. From some parts of the world it passes right in front of Venus.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
23Wed
September equinox
The Sun crosses the equator heading south: autumn begins in the northern hemisphere, spring in the southern.
Day and night are close to equal length everywhere.
-
26Sat
Neptune at opposition
Neptune is opposite the Sun: up all night, but too faint for the eye. Binoculars and a star chart find it.
Rises at sunset, highest around midnight, in Pisces.
-
26Sat
Full moon
The full moon nearest the September equinox: the Harvest Moon in the northern hemisphere.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
October 2026
-
4Sun
Saturn at opposition
Saturn is opposite the Sun: up all night and at its brightest of the year. A small telescope shows the rings.
Rises at sunset, highest around midnight, in Cetus.
-
5Mon
The Moon and Mars
The waning crescent Moon passes 1.1° from Mars, about a finger’s width at arm’s length. From some parts of the world it passes right in front of Mars.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
6Tue
The Moon and Jupiter
The waning crescent Moon passes 0.2° from Jupiter, less than a finger’s width at arm’s length. From some parts of the world it passes right in front of Jupiter.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
10Sat
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
12Mon
The Moon and Venus
The waxing thin crescent Moon passes 2.8° from Venus, about three finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
12Mon
The Moon and Mercury
The waxing thin crescent Moon passes 2° from Mercury, about two finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
21Wed
Orionids peak
Dust from Halley's Comet burns up in the air: up to 20 meteors an hour under a perfectly dark sky, fewer from a town.
Both hemispheres, after midnight.
-
26Mon
Full moon
The Moon is opposite the Sun, fully lit, and up from dusk to dawn.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
November 2026
-
2Mon
The Moon and Mars
The waning half-lit Moon passes 1° from Mars, about a finger’s width at arm’s length. From some parts of the world it passes right in front of Mars.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
2Mon
The Moon and Jupiter
The waning crescent Moon passes 0.5° from Jupiter, less than a finger’s width at arm’s length. From some parts of the world it passes right in front of Jupiter.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
7Sat
The Moon and Venus
The waning thin crescent Moon passes 1° from Venus, about a finger’s width at arm’s length. From some parts of the world it passes right in front of Venus.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
9Mon
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
16Mon
Mars and Jupiter
Mars and Jupiter pass 1.2° apart, about a finger’s width at arm’s length.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
17Tue
Leonids peak
Dust from Comet Tempel-Tuttle burns up in the air: up to 15 meteors an hour under a perfectly dark sky, fewer from a town.
Both hemispheres, after midnight.
-
24Tue
Full moon
The Moon is opposite the Sun, fully lit, and up from dusk to dawn.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
-
25Wed
Uranus at opposition
Uranus is opposite the Sun: up all night and just visible to the eye from a truly dark site, easy in binoculars.
Rises at sunset, highest around midnight, in Taurus.
-
30Mon
The Moon and Jupiter
The waning gibbous Moon passes 1.1° from Jupiter, about a finger’s width at arm’s length. From some parts of the world it passes right in front of Jupiter.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
30Mon
The Moon and Mars
The waning half-lit Moon passes 3° from Mars, about three finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
December 2026
-
9Wed
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
14Mon
Geminids peak
Dust from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon burns up in the air: up to 150 meteors an hour under a perfectly dark sky, fewer from a town.
Both hemispheres, best around 2 am. One of the few showers that is good before midnight.
-
21Mon
December solstice
The Sun stands farthest south: the shortest day in the northern hemisphere, the longest in the southern.
Day length reaches its yearly extreme.
-
22Tue
Ursids peak
Dust from Comet Tuttle burns up in the air: up to 10 meteors an hour under a perfectly dark sky, fewer from a town.
Northern hemisphere only.
-
24Thu
Full moon, the closest of the year
At 356,700 km it is the nearest full moon of 2026, and looks 14 % wider than the farthest.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
-
27Sun
The Moon and Jupiter
The waning gibbous Moon passes 1.4° from Jupiter, about a finger’s width at arm’s length.
Up for most of the night.
January 2027
-
4Mon
Quadrantids peak
Dust from the asteroid 2003 EH1 burns up in the air: up to 80 or more meteors an hour under a perfectly dark sky, fewer from a town.
Northern hemisphere only, in the hours before dawn. The peak is short, a few hours.
-
7Thu
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
22Fri
Full moon, the closest of the year
At 357,600 km it is the nearest full moon of 2027, and looks 14 % wider than the farthest.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
-
23Sat
The Moon and Jupiter
The full Moon passes 1.4° from Jupiter, about a finger’s width at arm’s length.
Up for most of the night.
February 2027
-
6Sat
New moon
The Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, and this time right in front of it: an annular solar eclipse.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
6Sat
Annular solar eclipse
The Moon is too far from Earth to cover the Sun, leaving a ring of fire along a path across Chile, Argentina and the Atlantic, for up to 7 minutes 51 seconds.
A partial eclipse is seen from South America, Antarctica, and western and southern Africa. Never look at the Sun without eclipse glasses.
-
8Mon
The Moon and Mercury
The waxing thin crescent Moon passes 0.3° from Mercury, less than a finger’s width at arm’s length. From some parts of the world it passes right in front of Mercury.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
11Thu
Jupiter at opposition
Jupiter is opposite the Sun: up all night and at its brightest of the year. Binoculars show its four large moons.
Rises at sunset, highest around midnight, in Leo.
-
19Fri
Mars at opposition
Mars is opposite the Sun: up all night, and brighter than at any time until its next opposition in 2029 (magnitude -1.2).
Rises at sunset, highest around midnight, in Leo.
-
20Sat
The Moon and Jupiter
The full Moon passes 1.1° from Jupiter, about a finger’s width at arm’s length. From some parts of the world it passes right in front of Jupiter.
Up for most of the night.
-
20Sat
Penumbral lunar eclipse
The Moon slips through the faint outer shadow of Earth: a soft grey shading on one side, easiest to see near the middle.
Seen from the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia: everywhere the Moon is up at the time.
-
20Sat
Full moon
It passes through Earth’s shadow: a penumbral lunar eclipse.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
March 2027
-
4Thu
The Moon and Venus
The waning crescent Moon passes 2° from Venus, about two finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
6Sat
The Moon and Mercury
The waning thin crescent Moon passes 1.1° from Mercury, about a finger’s width at arm’s length. From some parts of the world it passes right in front of Mercury.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
8Mon
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
19Fri
The Moon and Jupiter
The waxing gibbous Moon passes 0.9° from Jupiter, less than a finger’s width at arm’s length. From some parts of the world it passes right in front of Jupiter.
Up for most of the night.
-
20Sat
March equinox
The Sun crosses the equator heading north: spring begins in the northern hemisphere, autumn in the southern.
Day and night are close to equal length everywhere.
-
22Mon
Full moon
The Moon is opposite the Sun, fully lit, and up from dusk to dawn.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
April 2027
-
4Sun
The Moon and Venus
The waning crescent Moon passes 2.9° from Venus, about three finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
7Wed
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
15Thu
The Moon and Jupiter
The waxing gibbous Moon passes 0.9° from Jupiter, less than a finger’s width at arm’s length. From some parts of the world it passes right in front of Jupiter.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
15Thu
The Moon and Mars
The waxing gibbous Moon passes 3° from Mars, about three finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
20Tue
Full moon
The Moon is opposite the Sun, fully lit, and up from dusk to dawn.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
-
23Fri
Lyrids peak
Dust from Comet Thatcher burns up in the air: up to 18 meteors an hour under a perfectly dark sky, fewer from a town.
Best from the northern hemisphere, after midnight.
May 2027
-
6Thu
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
6Thu
Eta Aquariids peak
Dust from Halley's Comet burns up in the air: up to 50 meteors an hour under a perfectly dark sky, fewer from a town.
Best from the southern hemisphere and the tropics, in the last hours before dawn.
-
7Fri
Venus and Saturn
Venus and Saturn pass 0.6° apart, less than a finger’s width at arm’s length.
In the morning sky, before sunrise.
-
12Wed
The Moon and Jupiter
The waxing half-lit Moon passes 1.2° from Jupiter, about a finger’s width at arm’s length. From some parts of the world it passes right in front of Jupiter.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
13Thu
The Moon and Mars
The waxing half-lit Moon passes 3° from Mars, about three finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
20Thu
Full moon
The Moon is opposite the Sun, fully lit, and up from dusk to dawn.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
June 2027
-
4Fri
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
6Sun
The Moon and Mercury
The waxing thin crescent Moon passes 2.7° from Mercury, about three finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
9Wed
The Moon and Jupiter
The waxing crescent Moon passes 1.7° from Jupiter, about two finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
19Sat
Full moon
The Moon is opposite the Sun, fully lit, and up from dusk to dawn.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
-
21Mon
June solstice
The Sun stands farthest north: the longest day in the northern hemisphere, the shortest in the southern.
Day length reaches its yearly extreme.
July 2027
-
4Sun
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
7Wed
The Moon and Jupiter
The waxing crescent Moon passes 2.2° from Jupiter, about two finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
18Sun
Full moon, the farthest of the year
At 406,000 km it is the most distant full moon of 2027, the smallest it looks all year. It passes through Earth’s shadow: a penumbral lunar eclipse.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
-
18Sun
Penumbral lunar eclipse
The Moon only touches the faint outer edge of Earth’s shadow: the change is too slight to see.
Seen from eastern Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific: everywhere the Moon is up at the time.
-
31Sat
Southern Delta Aquariids peak
Dust from an old comet burns up in the air: up to 25 meteors an hour under a perfectly dark sky, fewer from a town.
Best from the southern hemisphere and the tropics, after midnight.
August 2027
-
2Mon
New moon
The Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, and this time right in front of it: a total solar eclipse.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
2Mon
Total solar eclipse
The Moon covers the Sun completely along a narrow path across Morocco, Spain, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Somalia, for up to 6 minutes 23 seconds.
A partial eclipse is seen from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and western and southern Asia. Never look at the Sun without eclipse glasses.
-
3Tue
The Moon and Jupiter
The waxing thin crescent Moon passes 2.7° from Jupiter, about three finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
13Fri
Perseids peak
Dust from Comet Swift-Tuttle burns up in the air: up to 110 or more meteors an hour under a perfectly dark sky, fewer from a town.
Northern hemisphere, best after midnight. Warm nights, many bright meteors.
-
17Tue
Penumbral lunar eclipse
The Moon grazes the faint outer shadow of Earth: a slight dimming on one edge that is hard to notice.
Seen from the Pacific and the Americas: everywhere the Moon is up at the time.
-
17Tue
Full moon
It passes through Earth’s shadow: a penumbral lunar eclipse.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
-
31Tue
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
September 2027
-
16Thu
Full moon
The full moon nearest the September equinox: the Harvest Moon in the northern hemisphere.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
-
23Thu
September equinox
The Sun crosses the equator heading south: autumn begins in the northern hemisphere, spring in the southern.
Day and night are close to equal length everywhere.
-
28Tue
Neptune at opposition
Neptune is opposite the Sun: up all night, but too faint for the eye. Binoculars and a star chart find it.
Rises at sunset, highest around midnight, in Pisces.
-
30Thu
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
October 2027
-
2Sat
The Moon and Mercury
The waxing thin crescent Moon passes 1.6° from Mercury, about two finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
15Fri
Full moon
The Moon is opposite the Sun, fully lit, and up from dusk to dawn.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
-
18Mon
Saturn at opposition
Saturn is opposite the Sun: up all night and at its brightest of the year. A small telescope shows the rings.
Rises at sunset, highest around midnight, in Pisces.
-
22Fri
Orionids peak
Dust from Halley's Comet burns up in the air: up to 20 meteors an hour under a perfectly dark sky, fewer from a town.
Both hemispheres, after midnight.
-
29Fri
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
November 2027
-
14Sun
Full moon
The Moon is opposite the Sun, fully lit, and up from dusk to dawn.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
-
18Thu
Leonids peak
Dust from Comet Tempel-Tuttle burns up in the air: up to 15 or more meteors an hour under a perfectly dark sky, fewer from a town.
Both hemispheres, after midnight.
-
25Thu
Venus and Mars
Venus and Mars pass 0.3° apart, less than a finger’s width at arm’s length: one bright double point of light.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
28Sun
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
-
30Tue
The Moon and Mars
The waxing thin crescent Moon passes 1.5° from Mars, about two finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
-
30Tue
Uranus at opposition
Uranus is opposite the Sun: up all night and just visible to the eye from a truly dark site, easy in binoculars.
Rises at sunset, highest around midnight, in Taurus.
-
30Tue
The Moon and Venus
The waxing crescent Moon passes 0.9° from Venus, less than a finger’s width at arm’s length. From some parts of the world it passes right in front of Venus.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
December 2027
-
13Mon
Full moon
The Moon is opposite the Sun, fully lit, and up from dusk to dawn.
Rises in the east around sunset and sets around sunrise, everywhere.
-
14Tue
Geminids peak
Dust from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon burns up in the air: up to 150 meteors an hour under a perfectly dark sky, fewer from a town.
Both hemispheres, best around 2 am. One of the few showers that is good before midnight.
-
22Wed
December solstice
The Sun stands farthest south: the shortest day in the northern hemisphere, the longest in the southern.
Day length reaches its yearly extreme.
-
23Thu
Ursids peak
Dust from Comet Tuttle burns up in the air: up to 10 meteors an hour under a perfectly dark sky, fewer from a town.
Northern hemisphere only.
-
27Mon
New moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun and cannot be seen: the darkest nights of the month for faint stars.
The nights around it are the best of the month for the Milky Way and meteors.
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29Wed
The Moon and Mars
The waxing thin crescent Moon passes 0.5° from Mars, less than a finger’s width at arm’s length. From some parts of the world it passes right in front of Mars.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
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30Thu
The Moon and Venus
The waxing crescent Moon passes 2.9° from Venus, about three finger-widths at arm’s length.
In the evening sky, after sunset.
Keep them all in your own calendar. The file is made here, on your device, and works offline.