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Night sky highlights - May 2026

May’s night sky brings a rare blue moon, meteors from Halley’s Comet, and a strange galactic hamburger. We’ll also explore Coma Berenices and use it to find star clusters and distant galaxies.

How to see the 12 August 2026 partial solar eclipse

Learn more about the best solar eclipse visible from the UK and Ireland so far this century, when around 90% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon

Full Moon calendar 2026

Check the dates for every full Moon throughout the year, learn about the Moon's phases, 'supermoons' and more

Astronomy with the naked eye

Learn what you could see in the night sky with no equipment from the Royal Observatory Greenwich; from galaxies and meteor showers to comets, star clusters, cloud formations and more

Noctilucent clouds: what are they and when can you see them?

Discover more about the astronomy phenomenon that makes clouds appear to glow at night 

Lunar eclipse guide: When and where to see in the UK

Find out what a lunar eclipse is and when the next total lunar eclipse in the UK will occur

How to sight the new crescent Moon

In the Islamic calendar, the new crescent Moon marks the start of the month

Orionid meteor shower 2026: when and where to see it in the UK

What is it, when is it and where can I see the Orionid meteor shower this year?

Ursid meteor shower: When and where to see it in the UK

What is the Ursid meteor shower, when does it happen and how can I see it in 2026?