Mars and Jupiter have some spectacular close encounters – with each other and with other celestial objects – in October 2026.
If you've noticed two bright stars in the east before dawn, those two 'stars' are actually the planets Jupiter and Mars. You may have already spotted them without even knowing it.
And Jupiter and Mars are going to get closer to one another as October 2026 draws on.
Indeed, in autumn 2026, it's safe to say the planets are back – and Mars and Jupiter are set to be one of the highlights.
You can use our chart below to see how Mars and Jupiter will be located relative to each other – and the Moon – in October 2026.
More advice
Mars meets the Moon
The first meeting for your stargazing calendar is a close one between Mars and the Moon in the early hours of 5 October 2026.
At around 03:30 BST (02:30 UT), the 32%-lit waning crescent Moon sits 1.4° northwest of Mars (measured from the Moon’s centre; the Moon has a tangible size of half a degree).
As time passes, the Moon moves east, eventually aligning with Mars around 05:50 BST (04:50 UT), with just 41 arcminutes between the two.
By this time, the dawn will be brightening the sky, but mag. +1.1 Mars and the Moon should remain obvious up to and beyond the point of closest approach.
The Moon continues east, lining up for an encounter with Jupiter on the morning of 6 October.
The Moon and Jupiter
This one isn’t so conveniently timed: at 06:00 BST (05:00 UT) on 6 October, the 21%-lit waning crescent Moon will appear 2.4° to the west and a little north of Jupiter.
The gap continues to close as the sky brightens, with the Moon’s centre passing just 30 arcminutes south of mag. –1.9 Jupiter at 11:20 BST (10:20 UT).
With an apparent diameter of 30 arcminutes, this places Jupiter just 15 arcminutes from the Moon’s northern cusp at this time.
That presents a fantastic opportunity to try to locate the planet under daylight conditions (as long as you’re able to find the Moon first, of course).
Mars and the Beehive
The next encounter occurs between 10 and 12 October, when Mars makes a run in front of the Beehive Cluster, M44.
This conjunction will provide an excellent chance to document the movement of Mars photographically, assuming the weather is kind.
Mars will appear embedded in the cluster on the mornings of 11 and 12 October, this particular conjunction taking it right across the core region.
Mars and Jupiter's tango, October 2026
Over the course of the rest of the month, Mars appears to close in on bright Jupiter. They will have a close meeting on 16 November when they will appear just 1.2° apart.
But before that happens, there’s another interesting arrangement to look out for.
As Mars approaches Jupiter, its separation from the brighter planet becomes similar to the apparent distance between Jupiter and Regulus (Alpha (α) Leonis).
Early in the morning on 16 October, the three objects will appear in a line, making them look a little like the Belt of Orion, although they will have very different brightnesses. Have a look yourself and see what you think.
If you're observing Mars and Jupiter in October 2026, share your images, observations, sketches, drawings, poems with us by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com
