Like the moon’s shadow sweeping throughout the globe throughout a complete photo voltaic eclipse, astronomy-focused tourism is taking the world by storm. And in 2026, there are many celestial causes to journey. You’ve probably already heard of the August 2026 total solar eclipse, which is undoubtedly the yr’s marquee occasion, however it’s also possible to journey for every little thing from rocket launches to meteor showers. These are the astronomy occasions that may flip journeys into once-in-a-lifetime experiences—and the place to go to see them at their greatest.
Artemis II Launch: ~February 5, 2026
Okay, this one is not fairly an astronomy occasion, however followers of the night time sky would possibly need to test it out nonetheless. NASA plans to take one step nearer to returning to the moon in 2026 with the launch of Artemis II, the primary crewed launch of the Artemis program, which can take astronauts on a lunar flyby. It’s scheduled to happen at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center as quickly as February 5, though that date is topic to alter.
Where to journey: Florida’s Space Coast, close to the Kennedy Space Center, the place the launch turns into a communal occasion shared on seashores, causeways, and waterfront parks. (Named considered one of our best places to go in the US in 2025.)
Hot tip: Build in further days. Launch schedules shift ceaselessly resulting from climate or technical issues—and they are often aborted right down to the final second. But the Space Coast rewards those that are affected person for launches with bioluminescent kayaking, wildlife refuges, and old-school Florida seashore cities.
Annular Solar Eclipse: February 17, 2026
This is an eclipse for the intrepid, as it would solely be viewable from Antarctica. Like a complete photo voltaic eclipse, an annular photo voltaic eclipse happens when the moon passes in entrance of the solar—however in this case, it would not absolutely cowl it. The result’s a “ring of fire” across the black sphere of the moon.
Where to journey: Antarctica. The path of annularity cuts throughout the southernmost continent, making this eclipse accessible primarily by way of expedition cruise. The draw back: most ships journey to the Antarctica Peninsula, from which solely a partial photo voltaic eclipse is seen. You may also catch a partial eclipse in elements of southern Africa.
Hot tip: If you need to expertise the complete annular photo voltaic eclipse fairly than only a partial one, you may probably need to constitution your individual vessel to sail to East Antarctica—and that’s on no account a budget-friendly possibility.
Total Lunar Eclipse: March 3, 2026
In a complete lunar eclipse, the Earth strikes between the solar and the moon, its shadow crossing the moon’s floor and turning it coppery pink. It’ll be pretty straightforward to see—lunar eclipses are seen wherever from the night time aspect of the Earth throughout the occasion, as long as there are clear skies. While you won’t must journey far for this complete lunar eclipse, astrophotographers would possibly need to place themselves someplace particularly scenic to get the proper shot.