NASA's Artemis II Moon Mission and Rare 2026 Eclipses Light Up Early-Year Skies

Two major space events will take place in early 2026. NASA's Artemis II mission is set to launch on February 5, carrying four astronauts on a lunar flyby. Just days later, an annular solar eclipse will create a striking 'ring of fire' over Antarctica, followed by a total lunar eclipse in March.

NASA's Artemis II mission will lift off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center on February 5, 2026. The crew includes commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen. This will be the first crewed flight of the Artemis program, taking the astronauts around the moon without landing.

On February 17, 2026, an annular solar eclipse will occur, visible only from Antarctica. During this event, the moon will cover the sun's centre, leaving a bright ring—often called a 'ring of fire'—around its dark silhouette. Later, on March 3, 2026, a total lunar eclipse will be visible from the night side of Earth, weather permitting. The moon will pass fully into Earth's shadow, turning a deep reddish hue for observers with clear skies.

The Artemis II mission marks a key step in NASA's return to the moon. The two eclipses will offer rare celestial displays, though the solar eclipse will only be seen from Antarctica. Skywatchers elsewhere can still look forward to the lunar eclipse in early March.