2026, October 5: Moon Near Mars, Bright Jupiter, and Planet Almanac for Early October Sky Watching

October 5, 2026: The crescent moon passes Mars and the Beehive Cluster before a Jupiter occultation. Saturn is in the sky all night, while Uranus and Neptune are visible with a binocular.

2026, October 2: Three Bright Planets and the Moon Before Sunrise

October 2, 2026: The moon passes Elnath before reaching Last Quarter phase. Mars approaches the Beehive cluster while Jupiter shines near Regulus and Saturn nears opposition.

2026, October 1: Moon Passes Aldebaran and Approaches Jupiter Occultation

October 1, 2026: The waning moon shines in front of Taurus near Aldebaran and the Pleiades. Watch it move toward Mars and an occultation (eclipse) of Jupiter across North America.

2026, September 28: Harvest Moon Shines Near Saturn While Jupiter and Mars Dominate the Morning Sky

September 28, 2026: The Harvest Moon shines near Saturn while Jupiter and Mars brighten the predawn sky. Venus and Mercury remain low after sunset as Saturn approaches opposition.

2026, September 25-29: Harvest Moon and Saturn Share the Autumn Sky During the Season’s First Week

September 25-29, 2026: The Harvest Moon occurs September 26 and appears near Saturn during several evenings. Learn why the moon rises later each night while changing little in altitude after sunset.

2026, September 24: Venus in Bright Twilight While the Harvest Moon Nears Saturn

September 24, 2026: Brilliant Venus shines through bright twilight while the Harvest Moon approaches Saturn. Before sunrise, Jupiter dominates the morning sky and Mars aligns with Castor and Pollux.

2026, September 22: Autumnal Equinox 2026: Daylight, the Ecliptic, and the Harvest Moon Effect

September 22, 2026: The autumnal equinox occurs today. Learn why daylight and darkness are not exactly equal, how the ecliptic changes angle with the horizon, and why the Harvest Moon rises at nearly the same time each evening.