Exciting celestial events to watch for in New Mexico in 2026

As 2025 wraps up, many are already looking forward to the new year. For astronomy enthusiasts, New Mexico skies will offer a range of captivating events in 2026, including full moons, meteor showers, and eclipses.

Full Moons

A full moon occurs when the Sun fully illuminates the side of the Moon facing Earth. Some full moons are particularly notable, such as blood moons, supermoons, blue moons, and harvest moons. Each type offers a unique spectacle for stargazers.

Meteor Showers

Meteors are space rocks, known as meteoroids, that heat up upon entering Earths atmosphere due to air resistance. This creates the glowing streaks we recognize as shooting stars. One notable meteor shower is the Southern Delta Aquariids, visible from July 12 to August 23, 2026.

Eclipses

Lunar eclipses occur when Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon, causing the full moon to gradually darken during the night. Solar eclipses happen when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow on Earth and creating a temporary daytime darkness.

• A partial eclipse will be observable in Europe, Africa, North America, the Atlantic, Arctic, and Pacific Oceans.
• Other eclipses will be visible in Asia, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas.
• Some events will be seen across America, Europe, Africa, and Western Asia.

Best Stargazing Spots in New Mexico

If you want to witness these celestial phenomena, New Mexico offers numerous prime locations for stargazing. One standout location is the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, known for its clear skies and minimal light pollution.

Author: Jackson Miller