Find out what to see in the night sky this year with astronomers from the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
Read our monthly night sky highlights blog to find out which stars and constellations are visible in the sky each month.
You can also explore the pages below to find the best dates to look for meteor showers, full moons, eclipses and more.
To deepen your knowledge of our universe, pick up astrophotography tips from winners of ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year or join one of the Royal Observatory's astronomy courses.
2026 astronomy calendar
Full Moon calendar 2026
Check the dates for every full Moon throughout the year, learn about the Moon's phases, 'supermoons' and more
Meteor shower calendar 2026
Want to see shooting stars? Check the key dates for major meteor showers in the UK in 2026, and how to see them in the night sky
When is the spring equinox?
Blooming daffodils, warmer weather or the Sun's position in the sky – how do we define the beginning of spring?
When is the summer solstice?
When - and what - is the summer solstice? Understand the science behind the solstice with Royal Observatory Greenwich
Lunar eclipses
Find out what a lunar eclipse is and when the next total lunar eclipse in the UK will occur
Solar eclipses
Find out everything you wanted to know about partial and total solar eclipses, including when to see them in the UK
Night sky highlights
Noctilucent clouds
Discover more about the astronomy phenomenon that makes clouds appear to glow at night
Space stories
15 awe-inspiring astronomy discoveries
Discover 15 incredible astronomy facts that might just change how you see the Universe
Astronomy with the naked eye
Learn what you could see in the night sky with no equipment from the Royal Observatory Greenwich; from galaxies and meteor showers to comets, star clusters, cloud formations and more
Billions of stars, one winning photograph: the core of Andromeda
A trio of photographers from China have won the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025 competition with a breathtaking image of the core of the Andromeda Galaxy
Artemis Programme: what you need to know about NASA’s Moon missions
NASA's Artemis missions aim to land humans on the Moon again, create a lunar base, and lay the groundwork for a future trip to Mars
The dwarf planets: Pluto, Ceres, Haumea, Makemake and Eris
We’ve all heard of the planets, but what is a dwarf planet? And why isn’t Pluto a planet anymore?
A rare spectacle: photographing the aurora in England
An incredibly strong solar storm in May 2024 made the aurora visible across the UK. Astrophotographer Darren Flinders seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
Photographing a natural optical illusion
Meet Marcella Giulia Pace, who won the Our Moon category of the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025 competition with her unique image of a natural optical spectacle
Photographing the Universe from the Royal Observatory: past and present
Royal Observatory astronomers are photographing the skies from historic buildings, continuing a long history of astrophotography at Greenwich
The new space race: a high-stakes competition of politics and power
Competition between the USA, China and Russia will have consequences for all of us here on Earth. But how is this 21st century space race different to the last one?
Accidental astronomy: an interview with Chris Lintott
Professor Chris Lintott, author, astrophysicist and presenter of the BBC's 'Sky at Night’ programme, discusses the incredible astronomical discoveries made by accident or through unplanned detours
Space and astronomy
Explore the universe with Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomers and curators
What’s on
See all upcoming astronomy courses.
Stargazing gifts and guides
Main image: Into the Past © Jim Hildreth - ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025