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2026: Moon Missions & Solar Spectacles Beckon!
30 Dec
Summary
- Astronauts will return to the moon for the first time in over 50 years.
- A total solar eclipse will cross the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and Spain.
- Comet 3I/Atlas, an interstellar visitor, is fading after its Earth flyby.
The year 2026 is poised to be a landmark year for space enthusiasts, commencing with renewed human endeavors on the moon and breathtaking solar phenomena. Astronauts will embark on the first lunar missions in over 50 years, with multiple robotic landers from NASA, China, and private entities, including Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, also targeting the moon.
Celestial events will captivate skywatchers globally. A ring-of-fire eclipse will grace the Antarctic skies on February 17, followed by a total solar eclipse on August 12, traversing the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. This event will feature two minutes and 18 seconds of totality. Additionally, six planets will align in the sky around February 28, with a supermoon appearing alongside Jupiter.
The year will also see the continued observation of the interstellar comet 3I/Atlas, which recently passed Earth and will interact with Jupiter in March before departing our solar system. Furthermore, increased solar activity is anticipated, potentially leading to more frequent auroras. Scientists are eager to leverage new observatories to better understand solar activity and its impact on Earth.
