Best observing opportunities in 2026

See all twelve months →
  1. 01

    Milky Way

    Milky Way core window

    7h 05m with 89° altitude.

  2. 02

    Minor planets

    4 Vesta

    67° altitude; magnitude 6.8.

  3. 03

    Planets

    Neptune

    Best monthly date at 46° altitude.

  4. 04

    Eclipses

    Total lunar eclipse

    Visible at maximum; umbral magnitude 1.15.

  5. 05

    Comets

    Comet 43P

    68° altitude; magnitude 17.2.

  6. 06

    Meteor showers

    Perseids

    Peak conditions: 4% Moon illumination; 2° altitude predawn.

Annual visibility

Galactic Centre visibility

These are times when the Galactic Centre is visible in a dark sky, at least 20° above the horizon, with limited moonlight. Wider marks show longer periods.

Limited: under 2h or below 30°Fair: at least 2h and 30°Good: at least 4h and 45°Excellent: at least 7h and 60°
  1. Jan3:35 am–4:52 am1h 17m · 36° · Limited
  2. Feb1:50 am–5:14 am3h 24m · 65° · Fair
  3. Mar12:02 am–5:29 am5h 28m · 88° · Good
  4. Apr10:13 pm–5:43 am7h 30m · 89° · Excellent
  5. May8:21 pm–5:57 am9h 36m · 89° · Excellent
  6. Jun6:47 pm–5:37 am10h 50m · 89° · Excellent
  7. Jul5:35 pm–3:45 am10h 10m · 88° · Excellent
  8. Aug5:48 pm–1:58 am8h 10m · 89° · Excellent
  9. Sep6:00 pm–12:10 am6h 10m · 89° · Good
  10. Oct6:12 pm–10:22 pm4h 10m · 73° · Good
  11. Nov6:32 pm–8:22 pm1h 50m · 42° · Limited
Download Galactic Centre CSV →

Planet visibility by month

Each cell gives the best altitude with the Sun at least 4° below the horizon. E, O and P mean evening, overnight and predawn.

PlanetJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mercury5°Poor4°Poor21°Fair21°Fair7°Poor15°Poor10°Poor9°Poor17°Fair17°Fair8°Poor5°Poor
Venus1°Poor1°Poor6°Poor9°Poor20°Fair30°Good38°Good38°Good38°Good21°Fair22°Fair32°Good
Mars0°Poor2°Poor11°Poor14°Poor22°Fair24°Fair26°Good29°Good30°Good36°Good45°Good52°Excellent
Jupiter40°Good40°Good40°Good40°Good38°Good28°Good13°Poor8°Poor21°Fair35°Good46°Excellent49°Excellent
Saturn46°Excellent28°Good8°Poor20°Fair48°Excellent59°Excellent59°Excellent59°Excellent60°Excellent61°Excellent62°Excellent62°Excellent
Uranus43°Good43°Good35°Good24°Fair8°Poor21°Fair37°Good41°Good41°Good42°Good42°Good42°Good
Neptune46°Excellent28°Good7°Poor26°Good54°Excellent62°Excellent62°Excellent62°Excellent63°Excellent63°Excellent63°Excellent63°Excellent
E eveningO overnightP predawn
Download planet CSV →

Jupiter and Saturn moons

Choose a date. The centre line marks the planet; west is left and east is right.

Monthly guides

  1. 01January Planet oppositionJupiter · 11 Jan · highest 12:00 am Best low-Moon period23 Jan · 9h 33m
  2. 02February Galactic Centre28 Feb · 2:57 am–5:14 am · max 65° Best low-Moon period21 Feb · 10h 17m
  3. 03March Galactic Centre29 Mar · 2:56 am–5:31 am · max 89° Best low-Moon period23 Mar · 11h 08m
  4. 04April Galactic Centre16 Apr · 10:35 pm–5:40 am · max 89° Best low-Moon period21 Apr · 11h 52m
  5. 05May Galactic Centre20 May · 8:21 pm–5:57 am · max 89° Best low-Moon period20 May · 12h 26m
  6. 06June Galactic Centre13 Jun · 6:47 pm–5:37 am · max 89° Best low-Moon period19 Jun · 12h 42m
  7. 07July Galactic Centre16 Jul · 5:37 pm–3:27 am · max 89° Best low-Moon period11 Jul · 12h 36m
  8. 08August Meteor showerPerseids · 12 Aug · 4% Moon · radiant 2° predawn Best low-Moon period10 Aug · 12h 08m
  9. 09September Planet oppositionNeptune · 26 Sep · highest 11:30 pm Best low-Moon period8 Sep · 11h 27m
  10. 10October Planet oppositionSaturn · 4 Oct · highest 11:30 pm Best low-Moon period7 Oct · 10h 40m
  11. 11November Planet oppositionUranus · 25 Nov · highest 11:30 pm Best low-Moon period6 Nov · 9h 51m
  12. 12December Meteor showerGeminids · 14 Dec · 22% Moon · radiant 23° predawn Best low-Moon period5 Dec · 9h 17m