December solstice 2026
The longest night of the year in the north — the most hours of darkness for stargazing.
When
What it is
Equinoxes and solstices mark the Earth’s position on its orbit: the Sun crosses the celestial equator, or reaches its farthest point north or south of it.
How to see it
Nothing special to watch, but it changes how long and how dark your nights are — check how many dark hours you get tonight on the map.
Check the clouds for that night
See also
Geminids meteor shower 2026
Peak night, up to 150 meteors an hour under a dark sky. The Moon is almost out of the way — a good year.
Ursids meteor shower 2026
Peak night, up to 10 meteors an hour under a dark sky. A bright Moon (94%) washes out faint meteors; only the brightest will show.
Supermoon: Cold Moon, 24 December 2026
The full Moon is near perigee (356,738 km), so it looks up to 7% bigger and 15% brighter than average.
June solstice 2026
The longest day in the north — and the shortest, brightest nights.
September equinox 2026
Day and night are about equal; nights in the north are getting long and dark again.
March equinox 2027
Day and night are about equal; spring begins in the north.