The year 2026 will bring many space events that attract scientists and the public. Early in the year, attention turned to the moon as space agencies prepared for a crewed flyby mission and several robotic landers. A supermoon appeared in January, and another rare blue moon is planned for May. The sun also created interest with a ring-of-fire eclipse seen from Antarctica in February, followed by a total solar eclipse expected in August across parts of Europe and the North Atlantic. These events helped increase awareness of space science and observation.

In addition, astronomers continued tracking a distant comet known as 3I/Atlas, which came from outside the solar system. The object is slowly fading but remains important because such visitors are extremely rare. Later in the year, several planets will appear close together in the sky, creating a noticeable alignment for observers. Space agencies are also taking a steady approach to lunar exploration, combining human missions with robotic landings to collect data safely. Scientists expect more solar activity, which may cause auroras in unexpected places. New space instruments will help provide reliable information about solar storms, allowing experts to better explain how space weather can affect communication systems and power grids on Earth.