MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
A dazzling line-up of celestial events awaits UAE stargazers in 2026, with supermoons, meteor showers, rare planetary alignments and the possible sighting of a visiting comet among the year’s highlights.
In conversation with Aletihad, the Dubai Astronomy Group (DAG) has confirmed that the year will feature a total of 13 full moons, three of which will be supermoons – when the Moon appears noticeably larger and brighter as it swings closer to Earth.
The lunar show has already kicked off with the Wolf Supermoon on January 3, dazzling early risers and night alike.
A rare Blue MicroMoon will grace the skies on May 31, appearing slightly smaller and dimmer than usual, followed by the Beaver Supermoon on November 24.
The final supermoon of the year, known as the Cold Supermoon, will appear on December 24. According to the DAG, this will be the closest and brightest full moon of the year, and the most impressive since 2019.
Meteor Showers to Illuminate the Skies
Several major meteor showers will streak across the sky, offering both casual viewers and photography enthusiasts spectacular shows.
The year begins with the Quadrantids in early January, known for their bright, fast meteors that hit the sky just before dawn.
The Lyrids — a long-observed shower that occasionally produces fireballs — will follow on April 22-23, while the Perseids on August 12-13 are expected to deliver one of the most spectacular displays in recent years, with peak activity coinciding with moonless skies.
Autumn brings the Orionids on October 21-22, associated with Halley’s Comet, followed by the Leonids on November 17-18, famous for their historic meteor storms.
The Geminids, widely considered one of the most intense meteor showers of the year, will conclude the calendar on December 13-14 with a display of colourful fireballs.
Eclipses and Planetary Alignments
While UAE residents will miss direct views, 2026 will feature several spectacular eclipses elsewhere in the world.
Highlights include an annular solar eclipse (“Ring of Fire”) on February 17, a total lunar eclipse (“Blood Moon”) on March 3, and a total solar eclipse on August 12.
Planetary enthusiasts will also be treated to rare alignments and oppositions. Jupiter reaches opposition on January 10, appearing at its brightest and closest for the year, while Saturn follows suit on October 4, offering optimal views of its iconic rings.
The skies will also stage a “planetary parade” in mid-February and again from late August through mid-September, with Mercury, Mars, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and the Moon forming visually striking alignments.
November 16 brings a dramatic Mars–Jupiter conjunction in the pre-dawn sky, and on July 11, the Moon will join Mars and the Pleiades star cluster to form a captivating celestial triangle.
A Possible Comet Surprise
Skywatchers may receive a rare celestial gift in the spring with the arrival of Comet C/2025 R3. Although originally predicted to be visible only with telescopes, favourable conditions between mid-April and early May could allow it to brighten enough to be seen with the naked eye.
“Comets are notoriously unpredictable — even a modest forecast can surprise us with sudden brightening. C/2025 R3 has the potential to be one of the standout celestial objects of 2026,” said Sheeraz Awan, General Manager of Dubai Astronomy Group.
Whether captured with professional equipment or simply viewed from a backyard, the night skies of 2026 promise a remarkable range of cosmic events to inspire casual observers and seasoned astronomers alike.