In 2026, space exploration will capture global attention with historic milestones and celestial events. NASA’s Artemis II mission, planned for February, will send astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day loop around the moon, marking the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years. Later, a total solar eclipse on August 12 will traverse the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and parts of Europe, drawing cruise ship enthusiasts, while a partial eclipse will be visible in New England. Additionally, multiple robotic lunar landings under NASA’s CLPS program aim to advance science and prepare for future human missions. https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/top-space-and-astronomy-stories-to-watch-in-2026/1846932