1.

Comet 24P/Schaumasse passes perihelion Comet 24P/Schaumasse makes its closest approach to the Sun. Thu, 08 Jan 2026 (13 days ago) in Virgo

2.

Jupiter at perigee Jupiter reaches its closest point to the Earth – marking the best time to observe it in 1970. Fri, 09 Jan 2026 at 00:05 PST (12 days ago) in Gemini

3.

Mars at solar conjunction Mars is unobservable as it passes around the far side of the Sun – marking the end of one apparition and the beginning of the next. Fri, 09 Jan 2026 at 03:07 PST (12 days ago) in Sagittarius

4.

Jupiter at opposition Jupiter is optimally positioned for observation, appears at its closest, brightest and largest. Sat, 10 Jan 2026 at 00:34 PST (11 days ago) in Gemini

5.

Moon at Last Quarter The Moon reaches last quarter phase – rising in the east at around midnight and appearing high in the sky by sunrise. Sat, 10 Jan 2026 at 07:48 PST (11 days ago) in Virgo

6.

The Moon at apogee The Moon recedes to its orbit's furthest point from the Earth, making it appear fractionally smaller than at other times of the month. Tue, 13 Jan 2026 at 12:46 PST (8 days ago) in Libra

7.

Lunar occultation of Antares The Moon will pass in front of Antares (Alpha Scorpii), creating a lunar occultation visible from Australia. Wed, 14 Jan 2026 at 12:02 PST (7 days ago) in Scorpius

8.

The cluster Messier 47 is well placed The open star cluster M47 (NGC 2422; mag 4.4) in Puppis culminates at around midnight local time. Thu, 15 Jan 2026 (6 days ago) in Puppis

9.

NGC 2403 is well placed NGC 2403 (mag 8.9), a spiral galaxy in Camelopardalis culminates at around midnight local time. Thu, 15 Jan 2026 (6 days ago) in Camelopardalis

10.

The Moon at perihelion The Moon passes its closest point to the Sun, a monthly occurrence around the time of new moon. Sat, 17 Jan 2026 at 15:07 PST (4 days ago) in Sagittarius

11.

The cluster NGC 2451 is well placed The open star cluster NGC 2451 (mag 2.8) in Puppis culminates at around midnight local time. Sat, 17 Jan 2026 (4 days ago) in Puppis

12.

New Moon The Moon disappears into the Sun's glare for a few days. Sun, 18 Jan 2026 at 11:53 PST (3 days ago) in Sagittarius

13.

γ-Ursae Minorid meteor shower 2026 The γ-Ursae Minorid meteor shower reaches its peak. Mon, 19 Jan 2026 (2 days ago) in Ursa Minor

14.

Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) passes perihelion Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) makes its closest approach to the Sun. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 (Today) in Microscopium

15.

The cluster NGC 2516 is well placed The open star cluster NGC 2516 (mag 3.8) in Volans culminates at around midnight local time. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 (Today) in Carina

16.

Mercury at superior solar conjunction Mercury passes around the far side of the Sun. Wed, 21 Jan 2026 at 08:01 PST (1 hour away) in Capricornus

17.

Venus at aphelion Venus passes the furthest point along its orbit from the Sun. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 at 04:48 PST (21 hours away) in Capricornus

18.

Close approach of the Moon, Saturn and Neptune The Moon, Saturn and Neptune pass close to one another. Fri, 23 Jan 2026 at 00:57 PST (2 days away) in Pisces

19.

134340 Pluto at solar conjunction 134340 Pluto is unobservable as it passes around the far side of the Sun – marking the end of one apparition and the beginning of the next. Fri, 23 Jan 2026 at 02:19 PST (2 days away) in Capricornus

20.

Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn The Moon and Saturn share the same right ascension, at a separation of 4°21'. Fri, 23 Jan 2026 at 04:40 PST (2 days away) in Pisces