Observations of the Sun, the Moon, and Planets 2026

Observation Overview | Special Events | References

In progress

It was not until 2018 that I began to observe the moon a little more in detail and to document my "more important" observations. On this page, I collect, somewhat unsystematically, my observations of the moon, the sun, and the planets from 2026, which might be of interest to other beginners and are therefore described here.

Note: Older observations are listed on the "Astronomy" overview page. The same applies to deep sky and comet observations ("incidental" DSO observations are mentioned here).

Observation Overview

Date 2026	Objects Observed	Location	Devices Used	Eyepieces, Cameras, and More Used	Remarks	Further Remarks
Jan 22	Moon	MH	Dwarf mini		Observed the crescent of the moon at about 5 p.m.. Observed 3x with 50, and once with 38 and 20 subs, which were stacked automatically. One result was post-processed in Stellar Studio, one manually. All in all, I was not content with the results, because the resolution seems too low too low...	Crescent of the moon
Jan 23	Moon	MH	Dwarf mini		Observed the crescent of the moon at about 8 p.m.. Observed 2x with 20, and once with 50 subs, which were stacked automatically. All observations were post-processed in Stellar Studio. All in all, the quality appeared a little better to me..	Crescent of the moon
Jan 24	Moon	MH	Dwarf mini		Observed the crescent of the moon at about 6:15 p.m... Observed once with 20, and once with 50 subs, which were stacked automatically. All observations were post-processed in Stellar Studio.	Crescent of the moon clearly thicker...
Feb 5	Sun	MH	Dwarf mini		Obeserved the sun at .... Observed 4x with 20 subs, which were stacked automatically. All observations were post-processed in Stellar Studio.	Quite a few sun spots
Feb 25	Moon, Sun	MH	Dwarf mini		Obeserved the sun at 3:20 p.m. Observed the "good" half moon at about 6:45ff p.m.. Observed 4x with 20 subs, which were stacked automatically. All observations were post-processed in Stellar Studio.	A little more than half moon ; just one sun spot
Feb 26	Moon	MH	Dwarf mini		Observed the even further half moon at about 7 p.m.. Observed 2x with 20 subs, which were stacked automatically. All observations were post-processed in Stellar Studio.	More than half moon
Feb 27	Moon	MH	Dwarf mini		Observed the moon just after the Golden Handle at about 9:30 p.m.. Observed 3x with 20 subs, which were stacked automatically. All observations were post-processed in Stellar Studio.	A little beyond the Golden Handle
Mar 1	Sun	MH	Dwarf mini		Obeserved the sun at .... Observed 4x with 20 subs, which were stacked automatically. All observations were post-processed in Stellar Studio.	A few sun spots

All observations done in Mühlhausen/Kraichgau (MH), except for where noted otherwise; Erk = Erkerode/Germany.

Special Events

January 22, 2026: Crescent of the Moon (Dwarf mini)

Crescent of the Moon: Top row 50 subs stacked, right photo post-processed with Stellar Studio; bottom row 20 subs stacked, right photo made brighter manually (Adobe PSE).

January 23, 2026: Crescent of the Moon (Dwarf mini)

Crescent of the Moon: Top row 50 subs stacked, bottom row 20; right photos post-processed with Stellar Studio

January 24, 2026: Crescent of the Moon now Clearly Thicker (Dwarf mini)

Crescent of the Moon: Top row 50 subs stacked, bottom row 20; right photos post-processed with Stellar Studio

February 5, 2026: Sun Spots (Dwarf mini)


Screenshot of the app when obserbing the sun		Comparison photo (The Sky Live)

Image of the sun as delivered by the telescope, 4th series, section		Ditto, post-processed with Stellar Studio

February 25, 2026: Sun Spot (Dwarf mini)


20 subs stacked		Ditto, post-processed with Stellar Studio

February 25, 2026: A little more than Half Moon (Dwarf mini)


20 Fotos stacked		ditto, post-processed with Stellar Studio

February 26, 2026: Beyond Half Moon (Dwarf mini)


20 Fotos stacked		ditto, post-processed with Stellar Studio

February 27, 2026: A little Beyond the Golden Handle (Dwarf mini)


20 Fotos stacked		ditto, post-processed with Stellar Studio

March 1, 2026: Sun Spots (Dwarf mini)


20 subs stacked		Ditto, post-processed with Stellar Studio

References

Books (in German)

Lambert Spix (2013, 3. Auflage). moonscout - Mondmeere, Krater und Gebirge einfach finden und beobachten. Oculum-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938469-58-3
Lambert Spix & Frank Gasparini (2011, 1. Auflage). Der Moonhopper. Oculum-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938469-54-5
Ronald Stoyan, Hans-Georg Purucker (2013, 1. Auflage). Reiseatlas Mond. Oculum-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938469-64-4
Robin Scagell (2016). 101 Himmelsobjekte, die man gesehen haben muss. Kosmos Verlag (out of print).