As we step into 2026, let’s reflect on the remarkable space events of the past year, including the appearance of the third interstellar visitor, 3I/ATLAS, and the unveiling of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Looking forward, there are exciting celestial events to anticipate in the upcoming year.
Starting with meteor showers, the Quadrantids shower, running from Dec. 28 to Jan. 12, peaks on the night of Jan. 2. This shower can yield up to 120 meteors per hour, but its short peak duration makes it challenging to observe. The upcoming Perseid meteor shower in August promises a spectacular display with around 150 meteors per hour during its peak on Aug. 12-13. Favorably, the new moon phase during the Perseids will enhance visibility.
In an unprecedented space mission, NASA’s Artemis II will embark on a lunar journey with astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen aboard. The mission will launch in early February for a nearly 10-day expedition, surpassing previous human travel distances.
Eclipse enthusiasts in Canada can anticipate a total lunar eclipse on March 3, visible across the country. Additionally, a partial solar eclipse on Aug. 12 will be observable in central and eastern Canada, followed by a partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 28, viewable nationwide.
Looking ahead, Rocket Lab plans a mission to Venus in the summer, focusing on exploring potential life in the planet’s atmosphere. Japan’s Martian Moon Exploration mission will investigate Mars’ moons, Phobos and Deimos, collecting a sample from Phobos for analysis on Earth. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, set to launch in 2026 or possibly early 2027, aims to study dark matter and dark energy, essential components of the universe.
These forthcoming space events offer a glimpse into the exciting possibilities of 2026, inviting sky gazers to witness the wonders of the cosmos firsthand.