Stargazing Calendar
What is up in the night sky, month by month, from November 2026 to October 2027: new moons, meteor showers, eclipses and planet highlights, with the best dark-sky places on this site for each month.
- Stargazing in November 2026: Taurid fireballs and four planets before dawn — Stargazing in November 2026: new moon November 9, the four-planet dawn parade, Taurid fireballs and the Leonids, and the best dark-sky places to watch from.
- Stargazing in December 2026: the Geminids and Orion at midnight — Stargazing in December 2026: new moon December 9, the Geminids at their best under a thin crescent, and Orion high at midnight. Where to watch.
- Stargazing in January 2027: the Quadrantids and Orion at its highest — Stargazing in January 2027: new moon January 7, the Quadrantids on January 3–4, Venus at its widest, and Orion at its highest. Where to watch.
- Stargazing in February 2027: Jupiter and Mars at opposition, eight days apart — Stargazing in February 2027: new moon February 6 with an annular solar eclipse, Jupiter at opposition February 11 and Mars February 19, both in Leo.
- Stargazing in March 2027: the sky turns over and the Milky Way wakes up — Stargazing in March 2027: new moon March 8, Leo high in the south, Jupiter and Mars still bright, and the Milky Way core rising before dawn for the first time this year.
- Stargazing in April 2027: galaxy season and a moonlit Lyrids — Stargazing in April 2027: new moon April 6, galaxy season overhead in Leo and Virgo, and the Lyrids on April 21–22 under a full moon.
- Stargazing in May 2027: the Milky Way returns to the evening — Stargazing in May 2027: new moon May 6, the Eta Aquariids under a 2% moon, and the Milky Way core rising before midnight for the first time this year.
- Stargazing in June 2027: the Milky Way at its highest — Stargazing in June 2027: new moon June 4, the Milky Way core high at midnight, the Summer Triangle overhead, and the Grand Canyon Star Party.
- Stargazing in July 2027: the peak of the Milky Way year — Stargazing in July 2027: new moon July 4, the Milky Way core at its best, and two meteor showers peaking together on July 30–31.
- Stargazing in August 2027: two new moons, a total eclipse and the Perseids — Stargazing in August 2027: two new moons, a total solar eclipse on August 2, and the Perseids on August 12–13 under a bright gibbous moon.
- Stargazing in September 2027: Andromeda season and the aurora’s return — Stargazing in September 2027: new moon September 30, Andromeda Galaxy season opens, the Acadia Night Sky Festival, and aurora season in the north.
- Stargazing in October 2027: Saturn at opposition and the Orionids — Stargazing in October 2027: new moon October 29, Saturn at opposition October 18, the Orionids October 21–22, and the winter stars rising again.