Sky calendar

The next 18 months of things that happen on a date, solved from the ephemeris rather than kept in a list. Almost every one is the same instant for everybody on Earth, so a date here needs no location to be true — what is visible tonight is the list that does depend on where you are standing.

[

Coming up

] SOONEST FIRST
SHOW
EVERYTHINGMOONPLANETSMETEOR SHOWERSECLIPSESFLYBYSSUN
+WHAT THE EIGHT KINDS ARE
  • Eclipses — solar and lunar, with where on Earth each is greatest.
  • Meteor showers — dated by where the Earth is in its orbit, not by a fixed calendar day.
  • Moon phases — the four quarters, which set what else is worth chasing that fortnight.
  • Close pairings — two bright things within a few degrees of each other.
  • Oppositions — the night each outer planet is closest, biggest and up all night.
  • Elongations — the mornings and evenings Mercury and Venus stand furthest from the Sun.
  • Equinoxes and solstices — the four turning points of the year.
  • Flybys — near-Earth asteroids passing inside twenty lunar distances.
FROM WHERE
MAUNA KEAATACAMASVALBARDSYDNEYONLY WHAT I CAN SEE

Pick a place and every event will say which hours are worth being outside for it. Until you do, nothing here is answered for anywhere in particular.

ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR ↓The next twelve months as an .ics file, filtered exactly as you have it here — import it, or subscribe and it stays current.
[

August 2026

] 1 EVENT
MO
TU
WE
TH
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SA
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1
2
3
4
5
6
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  • 28
    FRI
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    The Moon rises as the Sun sets and is up all night, fully lit. It is the best night of the month to look at the Moon and the worst to look at anything faint, because its light scatters through the whole sky.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

[

September 2026

] 6 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
  • 4
    FRI
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit again, and now rising around midnight — so the early evening is dark and the small hours are not, the reverse of the first quarter.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 8
    TUE
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 46′ from Jupiter

    The Moon passes 46′ from Jupiter — close enough that a thumb held at arm's length covers both at once, and a pair of binoculars holds them in one field. Look before dawn; the Moon moves its own width every hour, so the gap looks noticeably different either side of tonight.

    MoonJupiterON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    0.8° — about a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    31° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Close enough to fit in the same telescope field, which is a rarer sight than either object alone. Binoculars show it comfortably; the naked eye sees two things almost touching. Look on the evenings either side too — they will still be close, and one of the two nights is usually the clearer.

  • 11
    FRI
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    The Moon is between us and the Sun, so it is up all day and invisible all night — which makes this the darkest sky of the month and the best fortnight of it for faint galaxies and nebulae.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

  • 14
    MON
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 29′ from Venus

    The Moon passes 29′ from Venus — close enough that a thumb held at arm's length covers both at once, and a pair of binoculars holds them in one field. Look after sunset; the Moon moves its own width every hour, so the gap looks noticeably different either side of tonight.

    MoonVenusON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    0.5° — about half a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    41° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Close enough to fit in the same telescope field, which is a rarer sight than either object alone. Binoculars show it comfortably; the naked eye sees two things almost touching. Look on the evenings either side too — they will still be close, and one of the two nights is usually the clearer.

  • 18
    FRI
    MOON--:--

    First quarter

    Half the disc is lit and the Moon sits high in the evening, with the sunrise line running down its middle — the shadows along that line are long, which is when its craters look their most three-dimensional in any telescope.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 26
    SAT
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    Up all night and fully lit — bright sky, nothing faint gets through.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

[

October 2026

] 6 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
  • 3
    SAT
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit, rising near midnight — dark evenings, bright small hours.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 5
    MON
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 1.1° from Mars

    The Moon passes 1.1° from Mars — close enough that a thumb held at arm's length covers both at once, and a pair of binoculars holds them in one field. Look before dawn; the Moon moves its own width every hour, so the gap looks noticeably different either side of tonight.

    MoonMarsON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    1.1° — about a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    68° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    A naked-eye sight rather than a telescope one: the two are far enough apart that magnifying them separates them. Binoculars frame the pair nicely. The nights either side are nearly as good, so cloud on the night itself is not the end of it.

  • 6
    TUE
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 10′ from Jupiter

    10′ between the Moon and Jupiter — one binocular field, before dawn.

    MoonJupiterON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    0.2° — about half a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    53° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Close enough to fit in the same telescope field, which is a rarer sight than either object alone. Binoculars show it comfortably; the naked eye sees two things almost touching. Look on the evenings either side too — they will still be close, and one of the two nights is usually the clearer.

  • 10
    SAT
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    No Moon in the night sky: the darkest week of the month.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

  • 18
    SUN
    MOON--:--

    First quarter

    Half lit and high in the evening — the best week for lunar craters.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 26
    MON
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    Up all night and fully lit — bright sky, nothing faint gets through.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

[

November 2026

] 8 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
12
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
  • 1
    SUN
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit, rising near midnight — dark evenings, bright small hours.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 2
    MON
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 58′ from Mars

    58′ between the Moon and Mars — one binocular field, before dawn.

    MoonMarsON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    1.0° — about a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    81° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Close enough to fit in the same telescope field, which is a rarer sight than either object alone. Binoculars show it comfortably; the naked eye sees two things almost touching. Look on the evenings either side too — they will still be close, and one of the two nights is usually the clearer.

  • 2
    MON
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 29′ from Jupiter

    29′ between the Moon and Jupiter — one binocular field, before dawn.

    MoonJupiterON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    0.5° — about half a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    76° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Close enough to fit in the same telescope field, which is a rarer sight than either object alone. Binoculars show it comfortably; the naked eye sees two things almost touching. Look on the evenings either side too — they will still be close, and one of the two nights is usually the clearer.

  • 7
    SAT
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 57′ from Venus

    57′ between the Moon and Venus — one binocular field, before dawn.

    MoonVenusON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    0.9° — about a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    22° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Close enough to fit in the same telescope field, which is a rarer sight than either object alone. Binoculars show it comfortably; the naked eye sees two things almost touching. Look on the evenings either side too — they will still be close, and one of the two nights is usually the clearer.

  • 9
    MON
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    No Moon in the night sky: the darkest week of the month.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

  • 17
    TUE
    MOON--:--

    First quarter

    Half lit and high in the evening — the best week for lunar craters.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 24
    TUE
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    Up all night and fully lit — bright sky, nothing faint gets through.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

  • 30
    MON
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 1.1° from Jupiter

    1.1° between the Moon and Jupiter — one binocular field, before dawn.

    MoonJupiterON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    1.1° — about a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    102° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    A naked-eye sight rather than a telescope one: the two are far enough apart that magnifying them separates them. Binoculars frame the pair nicely. The nights either side are nearly as good, so cloud on the night itself is not the end of it.

[

December 2026

] 6 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
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25
26
27
28
29
30
31
  • 1
    TUE
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit, rising near midnight — dark evenings, bright small hours.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 9
    WED
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    No Moon in the night sky: the darkest week of the month.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

  • 17
    THU
    MOON--:--

    First quarter

    Half lit and high in the evening — the best week for lunar craters.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 24
    THU
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    Up all night and fully lit — bright sky, nothing faint gets through.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

  • 27
    SUN
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 1.4° from Jupiter

    1.4° between the Moon and Jupiter — one binocular field, before dawn.

    MoonJupiterON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    1.4° — about a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    129° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    A naked-eye sight rather than a telescope one: the two are far enough apart that magnifying them separates them. Binoculars frame the pair nicely. The nights either side are nearly as good, so cloud on the night itself is not the end of it.

  • 30
    WED
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit, rising near midnight — dark evenings, bright small hours.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

[

January 2027

] 5 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
2223
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
  • 7
    THU
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    No Moon in the night sky: the darkest week of the month.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

  • 15
    FRI
    MOON--:--

    First quarter

    Half lit and high in the evening — the best week for lunar craters.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 22
    FRI
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    Up all night and fully lit — bright sky, nothing faint gets through.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

  • 23
    SAT
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 1.4° from Jupiter

    1.4° between the Moon and Jupiter — one binocular field, before dawn.

    MoonJupiterON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    1.4° — about a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    160° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    A naked-eye sight rather than a telescope one: the two are far enough apart that magnifying them separates them. Binoculars frame the pair nicely. The nights either side are nearly as good, so cloud on the night itself is not the end of it.

  • 29
    FRI
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit, rising near midnight — dark evenings, bright small hours.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

[

February 2027

] 6 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
  • 6
    SAT
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    No Moon in the night sky: the darkest week of the month.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

  • 8
    MON
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 19′ from Mercury

    The Moon passes 19′ from Mercury — close enough that a thumb held at arm's length covers both at once, and a pair of binoculars holds them in one field. Look after sunset; the Moon moves its own width every hour, so the gap looks noticeably different either side of tonight.

    MoonMercuryON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    0.3° — about half a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    17° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Close enough to fit in the same telescope field, which is a rarer sight than either object alone. Binoculars show it comfortably; the naked eye sees two things almost touching. Look on the evenings either side too — they will still be close, and one of the two nights is usually the clearer.

  • 14
    SUN
    MOON--:--

    First quarter

    Half lit and high in the evening — the best week for lunar craters.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 20
    SAT
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 1.1° from Jupiter

    1.1° between the Moon and Jupiter — one binocular field, after sunset.

    MoonJupiterON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    1.1° — about a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    169° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    A naked-eye sight rather than a telescope one: the two are far enough apart that magnifying them separates them. Binoculars frame the pair nicely. The nights either side are nearly as good, so cloud on the night itself is not the end of it.

  • 20
    SAT
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    Up all night and fully lit — bright sky, nothing faint gets through.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

  • 28
    SUN
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit, rising near midnight — dark evenings, bright small hours.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

[

March 2027

] 6 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
  • 6
    SAT
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 1.1° from Mercury

    1.1° between the Moon and Mercury — one binocular field, before dawn.

    MoonMercuryON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    1.1° — about a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    24° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    A naked-eye sight rather than a telescope one: the two are far enough apart that magnifying them separates them. Binoculars frame the pair nicely. The nights either side are nearly as good, so cloud on the night itself is not the end of it.

  • 8
    MON
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    No Moon in the night sky: the darkest week of the month.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

  • 15
    MON
    MOON--:--

    First quarter

    Half lit and high in the evening — the best week for lunar craters.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 19
    FRI
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 52′ from Jupiter

    52′ between the Moon and Jupiter — one binocular field, after sunset.

    MoonJupiterON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    0.9° — about a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    139° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Close enough to fit in the same telescope field, which is a rarer sight than either object alone. Binoculars show it comfortably; the naked eye sees two things almost touching. Look on the evenings either side too — they will still be close, and one of the two nights is usually the clearer.

  • 22
    MON
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    Up all night and fully lit — bright sky, nothing faint gets through.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

  • 30
    TUE
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit, rising near midnight — dark evenings, bright small hours.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

[

April 2027

] 5 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
  • 6
    TUE
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    No Moon in the night sky: the darkest week of the month.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

  • 13
    TUE
    MOON--:--

    First quarter

    Half lit and high in the evening — the best week for lunar craters.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 15
    THU
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 55′ from Jupiter

    55′ between the Moon and Jupiter — one binocular field, after sunset.

    MoonJupiterON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    0.9° — about a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    112° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Close enough to fit in the same telescope field, which is a rarer sight than either object alone. Binoculars show it comfortably; the naked eye sees two things almost touching. Look on the evenings either side too — they will still be close, and one of the two nights is usually the clearer.

  • 20
    TUE
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    Up all night and fully lit — bright sky, nothing faint gets through.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

  • 28
    WED
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit, rising near midnight — dark evenings, bright small hours.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

[

May 2027

] 5 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
1213
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
  • 6
    THU
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    No Moon in the night sky: the darkest week of the month.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

  • 12
    WED
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 1.2° from Jupiter

    1.2° between the Moon and Jupiter — one binocular field, after sunset.

    MoonJupiterON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    1.2° — about a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    86° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    A naked-eye sight rather than a telescope one: the two are far enough apart that magnifying them separates them. Binoculars frame the pair nicely. The nights either side are nearly as good, so cloud on the night itself is not the end of it.

  • 13
    THU
    MOON--:--

    First quarter

    Half lit and high in the evening — the best week for lunar craters.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 20
    THU
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    Up all night and fully lit — bright sky, nothing faint gets through.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

  • 28
    FRI
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit, rising near midnight — dark evenings, bright small hours.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

[

June 2027

] 4 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
  • 4
    FRI
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    No Moon in the night sky: the darkest week of the month.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

  • 11
    FRI
    MOON--:--

    First quarter

    Half lit and high in the evening — the best week for lunar craters.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 19
    SAT
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    Up all night and fully lit — bright sky, nothing faint gets through.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

  • 27
    SUN
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit, rising near midnight — dark evenings, bright small hours.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

[

July 2027

] 4 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
  • 4
    SUN
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    No Moon in the night sky: the darkest week of the month.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

  • 10
    SAT
    MOON--:--

    First quarter

    Half lit and high in the evening — the best week for lunar craters.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 18
    SUN
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    Up all night and fully lit — bright sky, nothing faint gets through.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

  • 26
    MON
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit, rising near midnight — dark evenings, bright small hours.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

[

August 2027

] 5 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
  • 2
    MON
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    No Moon in the night sky: the darkest week of the month.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

  • 9
    MON
    MOON--:--

    First quarter

    Half lit and high in the evening — the best week for lunar craters.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 17
    TUE
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    Up all night and fully lit — bright sky, nothing faint gets through.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

  • 25
    WED
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit, rising near midnight — dark evenings, bright small hours.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 31
    TUE
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    No Moon in the night sky: the darkest week of the month.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

[

September 2027

] 4 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
  • 7
    TUE
    MOON--:--

    First quarter

    Half lit and high in the evening — the best week for lunar craters.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 15
    WED
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    Up all night and fully lit — bright sky, nothing faint gets through.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

  • 23
    THU
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit, rising near midnight — dark evenings, bright small hours.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 30
    THU
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    No Moon in the night sky: the darkest week of the month.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

[

October 2027

] 4 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
  • 7
    THU
    MOON--:--

    First quarter

    Half lit and high in the evening — the best week for lunar craters.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 15
    FRI
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    Up all night and fully lit — bright sky, nothing faint gets through.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

  • 22
    FRI
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit, rising near midnight — dark evenings, bright small hours.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 29
    FRI
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    No Moon in the night sky: the darkest week of the month.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

[

November 2027

] 5 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
  • 6
    SAT
    MOON--:--

    First quarter

    Half lit and high in the evening — the best week for lunar craters.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 14
    SUN
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    Up all night and fully lit — bright sky, nothing faint gets through.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

  • 21
    SUN
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit, rising near midnight — dark evenings, bright small hours.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 28
    SUN
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    No Moon in the night sky: the darkest week of the month.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

  • 30
    TUE
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 52′ from Venus

    52′ between the Moon and Venus — one binocular field, after sunset.

    MoonVenusON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    0.9° — about a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    28° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Close enough to fit in the same telescope field, which is a rarer sight than either object alone. Binoculars show it comfortably; the naked eye sees two things almost touching. Look on the evenings either side too — they will still be close, and one of the two nights is usually the clearer.

[

December 2027

] 5 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
  • 6
    MON
    MOON--:--

    First quarter

    Half lit and high in the evening — the best week for lunar craters.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 13
    MON
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    Up all night and fully lit — bright sky, nothing faint gets through.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

  • 20
    MON
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit, rising near midnight — dark evenings, bright small hours.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 27
    MON
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    No Moon in the night sky: the darkest week of the month.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

  • 29
    WED
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 31′ from Mars

    31′ between the Moon and Mars — one binocular field, after sunset.

    MoonMarsON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    0.5° — about half a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    18° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Close enough to fit in the same telescope field, which is a rarer sight than either object alone. Binoculars show it comfortably; the naked eye sees two things almost touching. Look on the evenings either side too — they will still be close, and one of the two nights is usually the clearer.

[

January 2028

] 4 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
  • 5
    WED
    MOON--:--

    First quarter

    Half lit and high in the evening — the best week for lunar craters.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 12
    WED
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    Up all night and fully lit — bright sky, nothing faint gets through.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

  • 18
    TUE
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit, rising near midnight — dark evenings, bright small hours.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 26
    WED
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    No Moon in the night sky: the darkest week of the month.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

[

February 2028

] 5 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
  • 3
    THU
    MOON--:--

    First quarter

    Half lit and high in the evening — the best week for lunar craters.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 10
    THU
    MOON--:--

    Full moon

    Up all night and fully lit — bright sky, nothing faint gets through.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    Any eye, any binoculars, any telescope — and better through binoculars than most people expect. The one thing a full moon is bad for is the full moon itself: with the Sun straight behind us there are no shadows on the disc, so it is bright and flat. The craters look their best a week either side of tonight.

  • 17
    THU
    MOON--:--

    Last quarter

    Half lit, rising near midnight — dark evenings, bright small hours.

    MoonON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    A small telescope on the line between light and dark, which is where the shadows are longest and the craters look carved rather than printed. Any evening within a night or two of this shows much the same thing.

  • 23
    WED
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    The Moon 12′ from Mercury

    12′ between the Moon and Mercury — one binocular field, before dawn.

    MoonMercuryON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    0.2° — about half a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    26° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Close enough to fit in the same telescope field, which is a rarer sight than either object alone. Binoculars show it comfortably; the naked eye sees two things almost touching. Look on the evenings either side too — they will still be close, and one of the two nights is usually the clearer.

  • 25
    FRI
    MOON--:--

    New moon

    No Moon in the night sky: the darkest week of the month.

    Moon
    +WHAT TO EXPECT

    There is nothing to look at, which is the point: this is the fortnight to go after galaxies, nebulae and the Milky Way, and the week either side of it is the darkest sky you will get this month. Take the faintest thing on your list.

94 events for the 18 months from today, of the kinds selected above. Times are instants, shown on your own clock; how every number here was made.

Nothing here is a hand-kept list. Every date except the flybys is solved from the same ephemeris the rest of the site uses to place the planets, at the moment you load the page; a meteor shower is dated by the longitude the Sun reaches rather than by a day of the month, which is why its date moves a little from year to year. The same events are available as JSON and CSV.

The 26 close approaches come from NASA/JPL Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, as they stood on 2026-08-25, and cover passes inside 20 lunar distances through 2028-03-27. Unlike everything else on this page they cannot be computed from an ephemeris here — a newly discovered asteroid has no orbit until somebody measures one — so they are as complete as that date and no more.