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2026 is shaping up to be a remarkable year for sky‑watchers. From dazzling meteor showers to dramatic eclipses and a radiant Jupiter, the night sky over Central Europe will offer a series of rare and unforgettable moments. Anyone willing to look up at the right time will be rewarded with some of the most striking astronomical events of the decade.
Jupiter Opens the Year With a Brilliant Show
The first highlight arrives early: on 10 January, Jupiter reaches opposition, placing Earth, the Sun, and the gas giant almost perfectly in line. This alignment causes Jupiter to shine at its brightest, dominating the night sky from dusk until dawn. Fully illuminated by the Sun, the planet appears unusually large and luminous—almost reminiscent of a second full moon.
A Partial Solar Eclipse on 12 August
Mid‑August brings one of the year’s most anticipated spectacles. On 12 August, a partial solar eclipse will be visible across Austria, occurring in the evening hours. At around 20:00, up to 89 percent of the Sun’s disk will be covered. Because the Sun will sit low on the horizon, the dimming effect becomes especially dramatic. While Central Europe witnesses a deep partial eclipse, parts of Spain will experience a total solar eclipse, making the event even more noteworthy on a continental scale.
The Moon Takes Its Turn: Partial Lunar Eclipse
Just over two weeks later, the Moon steps into the spotlight. During the night of 27–28 August, a partial lunar eclipse will unfold. The event begins at approximately 04:33, though its maximum—when 93.5 percent of the Moon’s diameter lies within Earth’s umbra—occurs after moonset in Central Europe. Although not fully visible from start to finish, the eclipse still qualifies as an almost‑total one, offering a rare and atmospheric early‑morning sight.
The Perseids Peak: 12–13 August
For lovers of shooting stars, the Perseids remain the undisputed highlight of summer. On the night of 12–13 August, observers can expect up to 150 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. Many of these meteors burn exceptionally bright, making the Perseids one of the most accessible and rewarding meteor showers of the year. Their radiant lies in the constellation Perseus, located between Auriga, Cassiopeia, and Camelopardalis—an orientation detail appreciated especially by seasoned stargazers.
A Christmas Supermoon
The year concludes with a festive celestial treat. On 24 December, a supermoon will rise, appearing noticeably larger and brighter than usual. Because the Moon is unusually close to Earth at this point, it looks about seven percent larger and shines roughly one‑third brighter. The effect is most striking near the horizon, where the well‑known “Moon illusion” amplifies its apparent size—making it a perfect moment for photographers and holiday romantics alike.
These five events represent only a fraction of the astronomical wonders awaiting observers in 2026. With so many opportunities to witness the beauty of the cosmos, this year invites everyone—casual sky‑watchers and seasoned astronomers alike—to look up and rediscover the magic above.
- Hector Pascua with reports from heute.at/picture: pixabay.com
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