As we are still near the maximum of the Sun’s 11-year cycle of activity, we might reasonably anticipate further auroral activity throughout 2026. Currently it is not possible to predict when auroral activity that is bright enough to seen from Irish latitudes will take place — we get maybe 10 – 20 hours notice. The big space event in February is the potential launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission. NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft are seen illuminated by lights at Launch Complex 39B, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. One might hope that Artemis II can bring something of that sense of 'oneness' to a world that now seems all too much about individuality.

Source: Irish Examiner January 31, 2026 16:06 UTC