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.
[

September 2026

] 3 EVENTS
MO
TU
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  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 26
    SAT
    OPPOSITION--:--

    Neptune at opposition

    Neptune is directly opposite the Sun from here, so it rises as the Sun sets, stands highest at midnight and sets at sunrise. It is also about as close to Earth as it gets this time round, which makes this its brightest and biggest night of the year — the one to point a telescope at it.

    NeptuneON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    FROM THE SUN
    180° — opposite the Sun, so up all night

    It rises as the Sun sets and is highest in the middle of the night, which is when to look: the higher it is, the less air is in the way and the steadier the view. Any telescope will show the disc, and a night either side of this date is indistinguishable from the date itself.

[

October 2026

] 4 EVENTS
MO
TU
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1
2
3
456
7
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  • 4
    SUN
    OPPOSITION--:--

    Saturn at opposition

    Saturn is directly opposite the Sun from here, so it rises as the Sun sets, stands highest at midnight and sets at sunrise. It is also about as close to Earth as it gets this time round, which makes this its brightest and biggest night of the year — the one to point a telescope at it.

    SaturnON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    FROM THE SUN
    180° — opposite the Sun, so up all night

    It rises as the Sun sets and is highest in the middle of the night, which is when to look: the higher it is, the less air is in the way and the steadier the view. Any telescope will show the disc, and a night either side of this date is indistinguishable from the date itself.

  • 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.

  • 12
    MON
    ELONGATION--:--

    Mercury at its furthest from the Sun (evening sky)

    Mercury stands 25° away from the Sun in our sky today, the widest that gap opens on this pass. Look west just after sunset: this is the easiest Mercury gets to find, and Mercury is hard to catch at any other time.

    MercuryON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    FROM THE SUN
    25° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Look low, into the twilight, and start before you think you need to — the planet is bright enough to find in a colouring sky and hard to find once the sky is properly dark, because by then it is setting. Binoculars help you catch it first; an unobstructed horizon in that direction matters more than any equipment.

[

November 2026

] 7 EVENTS
MO
TU
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1
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  • 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.

  • 16
    MON
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    Mars and Jupiter 1.2° apart

    Mars and Jupiter come within 1.2° of each other, close enough to take in with one glance and to frame together in binoculars. They are 88° from the Sun, so look east before sunrise.

    MarsJupiterON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    1.2° — about a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    88° — 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
    FRI
    ELONGATION--:--

    Mercury at its furthest from the Sun (morning sky)

    Mercury stands 20° away from the Sun in our sky today, the widest that gap opens on this pass. Look east shortly before sunrise: this is the easiest Mercury gets to find, and Mercury is hard to catch at any other time.

    MercuryON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    FROM THE SUN
    20° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Look low, into the twilight, and start before you think you need to — the planet is bright enough to find in a colouring sky and hard to find once the sky is properly dark, because by then it is setting. Binoculars help you catch it first; an unobstructed horizon in that direction matters more than any equipment.

  • 25
    WED
    OPPOSITION--:--

    Uranus at opposition

    Uranus is directly opposite the Sun from here, so it rises as the Sun sets, stands highest at midnight and sets at sunrise. It is also about as close to Earth as it gets this time round, which makes this its brightest and biggest night of the year — the one to point a telescope at it.

    UranusON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    FROM THE SUN
    180° — opposite the Sun, so up all night

    It rises as the Sun sets and is highest in the middle of the night, which is when to look: the higher it is, the less air is in the way and the steadier the view. Any telescope will show the disc, and a night either side of this date is indistinguishable from the date itself.

  • 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

] 1 EVENT
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  • 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.

[

January 2027

] 2 EVENTS
MO
TU
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  • 3
    SUN
    ELONGATION--:--

    Venus at its furthest from the Sun (morning sky)

    Venus stands 47° away from the Sun in our sky today, the widest that gap opens on this pass. Look east shortly before sunrise: this is the easiest Venus gets to find.

    VenusON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    FROM THE SUN
    47° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Look low, into the twilight, and start before you think you need to — the planet is bright enough to find in a colouring sky and hard to find once the sky is properly dark, because by then it is setting. Binoculars help you catch it first; an unobstructed horizon in that direction matters more than any equipment.

  • 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.

[

February 2027

] 5 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
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5
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1920
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  • 3
    WED
    ELONGATION--:--

    Mercury at its furthest from the Sun (evening sky)

    18° from the Sun, west after sunset — the widest gap of this pass.

    MercuryON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    FROM THE SUN
    18° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Look low, into the twilight, and start before you think you need to — the planet is bright enough to find in a colouring sky and hard to find once the sky is properly dark, because by then it is setting. Binoculars help you catch it first; an unobstructed horizon in that direction matters more than any equipment.

  • 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.

  • 11
    THU
    OPPOSITION--:--

    Jupiter at opposition

    Jupiter is directly opposite the Sun from here, so it rises as the Sun sets, stands highest at midnight and sets at sunrise. It is also about as close to Earth as it gets this time round, which makes this its brightest and biggest night of the year — the one to point a telescope at it.

    JupiterON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    FROM THE SUN
    180° — opposite the Sun, so up all night

    It rises as the Sun sets and is highest in the middle of the night, which is when to look: the higher it is, the less air is in the way and the steadier the view. Any telescope will show the disc, and a night either side of this date is indistinguishable from the date itself.

  • 19
    FRI
    OPPOSITION--:--

    Mars at opposition

    Mars is directly opposite the Sun from here, so it rises as the Sun sets, stands highest at midnight and sets at sunrise. It is also about as close to Earth as it gets this time round, which makes this its brightest and biggest night of the year — the one to point a telescope at it.

    MarsON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    FROM THE SUN
    180° — opposite the Sun, so up all night

    It rises as the Sun sets and is highest in the middle of the night, which is when to look: the higher it is, the less air is in the way and the steadier the view. Any telescope will show the disc, and a night either side of this date is indistinguishable from the date itself.

  • 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.

[

March 2027

] 3 EVENTS
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TU
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  • 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.

  • 17
    WED
    ELONGATION--:--

    Mercury at its furthest from the Sun (morning sky)

    28° from the Sun, east before sunrise — the widest gap of this pass.

    MercuryON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    FROM THE SUN
    28° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Look low, into the twilight, and start before you think you need to — the planet is bright enough to find in a colouring sky and hard to find once the sky is properly dark, because by then it is setting. Binoculars help you catch it first; an unobstructed horizon in that direction matters more than any equipment.

  • 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.

[

April 2027

] 1 EVENT
MO
TU
WE
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1
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  • 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.

[

May 2027

] 3 EVENTS
MO
TU
WE
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1
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  • 7
    FRI
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    Venus and Saturn 36′ apart

    Venus and Saturn come within 36′ of each other, close enough to look like a double star to the unaided eye and to sit in one telescope field together. They are 26° from the Sun, so look east before sunrise.

    VenusSaturnON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    0.6° — about 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.

  • 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.

  • 28
    FRI
    ELONGATION--:--

    Mercury at its furthest from the Sun (evening sky)

    23° from the Sun, west after sunset — the widest gap of this pass.

    MercuryON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    FROM THE SUN
    23° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Look low, into the twilight, and start before you think you need to — the planet is bright enough to find in a colouring sky and hard to find once the sky is properly dark, because by then it is setting. Binoculars help you catch it first; an unobstructed horizon in that direction matters more than any equipment.

[

July 2027

] 1 EVENT
MO
TU
WE
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1
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  • 15
    THU
    ELONGATION--:--

    Mercury at its furthest from the Sun (morning sky)

    21° from the Sun, east before sunrise — the widest gap of this pass.

    MercuryON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    FROM THE SUN
    21° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Look low, into the twilight, and start before you think you need to — the planet is bright enough to find in a colouring sky and hard to find once the sky is properly dark, because by then it is setting. Binoculars help you catch it first; an unobstructed horizon in that direction matters more than any equipment.

[

September 2027

] 2 EVENTS
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TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
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1
2
3
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  • 24
    FRI
    ELONGATION--:--

    Mercury at its furthest from the Sun (evening sky)

    26° from the Sun, west after sunset — the widest gap of this pass.

    MercuryON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    FROM THE SUN
    26° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Look low, into the twilight, and start before you think you need to — the planet is bright enough to find in a colouring sky and hard to find once the sky is properly dark, because by then it is setting. Binoculars help you catch it first; an unobstructed horizon in that direction matters more than any equipment.

  • 28
    TUE
    OPPOSITION--:--

    Neptune at opposition

    Neptune is up all night, at its closest and brightest for the year.

    NeptuneON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    FROM THE SUN
    180° — opposite the Sun, so up all night

    It rises as the Sun sets and is highest in the middle of the night, which is when to look: the higher it is, the less air is in the way and the steadier the view. Any telescope will show the disc, and a night either side of this date is indistinguishable from the date itself.

[

October 2027

] 1 EVENT
MO
TU
WE
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1
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3
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  • 18
    MON
    OPPOSITION--:--

    Saturn at opposition

    Saturn is up all night, at its closest and brightest for the year.

    SaturnON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    FROM THE SUN
    180° — opposite the Sun, so up all night

    It rises as the Sun sets and is highest in the middle of the night, which is when to look: the higher it is, the less air is in the way and the steadier the view. Any telescope will show the disc, and a night either side of this date is indistinguishable from the date itself.

[

November 2027

] 4 EVENTS
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TU
WE
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FR
SA
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1
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  • 4
    THU
    ELONGATION--:--

    Mercury at its furthest from the Sun (morning sky)

    19° from the Sun, east before sunrise — the widest gap of this pass.

    MercuryON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    FROM THE SUN
    19° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Look low, into the twilight, and start before you think you need to — the planet is bright enough to find in a colouring sky and hard to find once the sky is properly dark, because by then it is setting. Binoculars help you catch it first; an unobstructed horizon in that direction matters more than any equipment.

  • 25
    THU
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    Venus and Mars 19′ apart

    Venus and Mars come within 19′ of each other, close enough to look like a double star to the unaided eye and to sit in one telescope field together. They are 27° from the Sun, so look west after sunset.

    VenusMarsON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    0.3° — about half a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    27° — 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.

  • 30
    TUE
    OPPOSITION--:--

    Uranus at opposition

    Uranus is up all night, at its closest and brightest for the year.

    UranusON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    FROM THE SUN
    180° — opposite the Sun, so up all night

    It rises as the Sun sets and is highest in the middle of the night, which is when to look: the higher it is, the less air is in the way and the steadier the view. Any telescope will show the disc, and a night either side of this date is indistinguishable from the date itself.

  • 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

] 1 EVENT
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  • 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

] 2 EVENTS
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  • 8
    SAT
    CONJUNCTION--:--

    Mercury and Mars 41′ apart

    Mercury and Mars come within 41′ of each other, close enough to look like a double star to the unaided eye and to sit in one telescope field together. They are 16° from the Sun, so look west after sunset.

    MercuryMarsON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    SEPARATION
    0.7° — about a finger-width at arm's length
    FROM THE SUN
    16° — 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.

  • 17
    MON
    ELONGATION--:--

    Mercury at its furthest from the Sun (evening sky)

    19° from the Sun, west after sunset — the widest gap of this pass.

    MercuryON THE MAP
    +WHAT TO EXPECT
    FROM THE SUN
    19° — the angle between it and the Sun in our sky

    Look low, into the twilight, and start before you think you need to — the planet is bright enough to find in a colouring sky and hard to find once the sky is properly dark, because by then it is setting. Binoculars help you catch it first; an unobstructed horizon in that direction matters more than any equipment.

[

February 2028

] 1 EVENT
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  • 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.

41 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.