The most anticipated astronomical milestones of 2026

With a high density of notable phenomena, from supermoons and blue moons to lunar eclipses, 2026 is considered one of the ideal years to observe and learn about the Moon.

2026 promises to be a special year for astronomy enthusiasts, with the night sky illuminated by 13 full moons, accompanied by a series of rare phenomena such as 3 supermoons, a rare Blue Moon, and 2 lunar eclipses, including a total lunar eclipse that created the spectacular Blood Moon phenomenon.

According to Tempo, a reporter from the Vietnam News Agency in Jakarta, citing the newspaper, the phenomenon of a full moon occurs when the Moon is directly opposite the Sun, with the Earth in the middle, causing the entire surface facing the Earth to be illuminated.

Although the intense light makes observing surface details more difficult, the full moon has remained one of the most fascinating astronomical phenomena for humankind for thousands of years.

The 2026 full moon cycle begins in early January with the Wolf Moon on January 3rd. This is not only the first full moon of the year but also a supermoon, as the Moon comes very close to Earth at perigee.

As a result, the moon will appear significantly larger and brighter than usual. The name "Wolf Moon" originates from North American tradition, associated with the harsh winter season when wolf howling is more prevalent.

By early February, the Snow Moon appears, reflecting the period of winter with the heaviest snowfall in the Northern Hemisphere. In March, the night sky becomes even more spectacular as the Worm Moon coincides with a total lunar eclipse.

For nearly an hour, the Moon penetrates deep into Earth's shadow, turning a distinctive reddish-orange hue – a phenomenon often referred to as a Blood Moon. This rare display was clearly visible in the Asia- Pacific region and northwestern North America.

April brings the Pink Moon – although it's not actually pink, the name is associated with the wildflowers that bloom profusely in early spring in North America. Following that, the Flower Moon in early May marks the time when nature enters its most vigorous growth phase.

In particular, at the end of May, a Blue Moon appears in the sky – a rare phenomenon where there are two full moons in the same calendar month. Although it doesn't actually have a blue color, a Blue Moon is always considered a symbol of rarity and specialness.

In the summer, the Strawberry Moon at the end of June takes on a different character: it's a micromoon, when the Moon is farthest from Earth in its orbit, making its apparent size smaller than usual. July follows with the Stag Moon, associated with the time when deer begin to grow new antlers.

In late August, the Sturgeon Moon appears alongside a partial lunar eclipse, when almost the entire surface of the Moon enters the Earth's shadow. This phenomenon can be observed in the Americas, Europe, and Africa, creating a spectacular sight in the night sky.

Autumn 2026 will be marked by the Harvest Moon in late September – a full moon closest to the autumnal equinox, long associated with agricultural harvesting.

Next comes the Hunter's Moon in October, symbolizing the period of food preparation for winter in ancient cultures.

The last three months of the year bring a series of spectacular supermoons, beginning with the Beaver Moon in November and ending with the Cold Moon on Christmas Eve, December 24th. This is when the Moon is very close to Earth, creating a large, bright, and impressive full moon, bringing a memorable astronomical year to a close.

With a high density of notable phenomena, from supermoons and blue moons to lunar eclipses, 2026 is considered one of the ideal years to observe and learn about the Moon, and also offers many memorable moments for those who love the night sky.

(VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/nhung-cot-moc-thien-van-dang-cho-doi-nhat-nam-2026-post1086494.vnp