Celestial events & rocket launches

Moon

New Moon

The Moon is dark from Earth, making this one of the better nights for faint objects.

Meteor shower

Leonids peak

A fast annual shower radiating from Leo, best viewed late at night through dawn.

Planet

Mercury at greatest morning elongation

Mercury reaches its widest apparent separation from the Sun and is best viewed in the morning sky.

Moon

Full Moon

The Moon reaches full illumination and dominates the night sky.

Planet

Uranus at opposition

Uranus is opposite the Sun and visible for most of the night; binoculars or a telescope are recommended.

Moon

New Moon

The Moon is dark from Earth, making this one of the better nights for faint objects.

Meteor shower

Geminids peak

One of the strongest annual showers, often producing bright meteors from evening through dawn.

Season

December Solstice

The December solstice marks the longest night in the Northern Hemisphere.

Meteor shower

Ursids peak

A northern-sky shower that closes the annual meteor calendar near the December solstice.

Moon

Full Moon

The Moon reaches full illumination and dominates the night sky.

Meteor shower

Quadrantids peak

A brief but active annual shower. The best viewing is usually after midnight under a dark sky.

Planet

Venus at greatest morning elongation

Venus reaches its widest apparent separation from the Sun and is best viewed in the morning sky.

Moon

New Moon

The Moon is dark from Earth, making this one of the better nights for faint objects.

Moon

Full Moon

The Moon reaches full illumination and dominates the night sky.

Planet

Mercury at greatest evening elongation

Mercury reaches its widest apparent separation from the Sun and is best viewed in the evening sky.

Eclipse

Annular Solar Eclipse

This eclipse is visible only along parts of its path; use local safety and visibility guidance.

Planet

Jupiter at opposition

Jupiter is opposite the Sun, rising around sunset and remaining visible for most of the night.

Planet

Mars at opposition

Mars is opposite the Sun in Earth's sky, appearing near its brightest and visible for most of the night.

Eclipse

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

Visibility depends on your location and whether the Moon is above the horizon.

Moon

New Moon

The Moon is dark from Earth, making this one of the better nights for faint objects.

Planet

Mercury at greatest morning elongation

Mercury reaches its widest apparent separation from the Sun and is best viewed in the morning sky.

Season

March Equinox

Day and night are nearly equal as the Sun crosses the celestial equator.

Moon

Full Moon

The Moon reaches full illumination and dominates the night sky.

Moon

New Moon

The Moon is dark from Earth, making this one of the better nights for faint objects.

Moon

Full Moon

The Moon reaches full illumination and dominates the night sky.

Meteor shower

Lyrids peak

A reliable spring shower best viewed after midnight, away from city lights.

Launch Successful

SpaceX

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 27 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.

Go for Launch

SpaceX

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 27 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.

Go for Launch

Indian Space Research Organization

Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India

This is a replacement satellite for the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System. The constellation will provide India with an alternative to GPS and will be used for military and civilian use. Located at a geosynchronous orbit, the system will be operated by the Indian government.

Go for Launch

SpaceX

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A classified mission for the United States Space Force. It is possibly a batch of classified LEO satellites based on SpaceX’s Starshield satellite bus, based on locations of rocket stage drop zones being exact fits with previous Starlink Group 15 launches.

To Be Determined

Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

Synthetic aperture radar Earth observation satellite for Japanese Earth imaging company iQPS.

Go for Launch

SpaceX

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 27 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.

To Be Confirmed

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

A batch of 9 Low Earth Orbit communication satellites for the Chinese state owned SatNet constellation operated by the China Satellite Network Group. The constellation will eventually consists of 13000 satellites.

To Be Determined

Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

Synthetic aperture radar Earth observation satellite for Japanese Earth imaging company iQPS.

To Be Determined

Arianespace

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana

Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper, is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband internet access, this constellation will be managed by Kuiper Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon. This constellation is planned to be composed of 3,276 satellites. The satellites are projected to be placed in 98 orbital planes in three orbital layers, one at 590 km, 610 km and 630 km altitude. 35-40 satellites will be carried on each Ariane 6 launch.

To Be Confirmed

Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS)

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan

Progress resupply mission to the International Space Station.

To Be Determined

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Shenzhou 24 will be the 24th flight of the Shenzhou program. The first astronaut from Pakistan is expected to fly on this on a short duration mission, with another Chinese astronaut to undergo a year long expedition.

To Be Determined

SpaceX

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Fifteenth batch of satellites for a reconnaissance satellite constellation built by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman for the National Reconnaissance Office to provide imaging and other reconnaissance capabilities.

To Be Determined

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

Artemis III is the second crew mission as part of the Artemis program. Artemis III will send a crew of 4 on a Low Earth Orbit mission, with the Orion rendezvous and dock with one or both commercial lunar landers in development by SpaceX and Blue Origin, performing in-space tests of the docked vehicles, integrated checkout of life support, communications, and propulsion systems, as well as tests of the new Extravehicular Activity (xEVA) suits.

To Be Determined

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

Artemis IV is planned to be the first human lunar landing mission since the Apollo Program.

To Be Determined

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

Artemis V is planned to be the second human lunar landing mission since the Apollo Program.

To Be Determined

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

To Be Determined

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA