1.

The Moon at perigee The Moon makes its monthly closest approach to the Earth, appearing larger than at other times of the month – though only very fractionally. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 at 13:44 PST (14 days ago) in Taurus

2.

Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri The Moon will pass in front of Beta Tauri (Elnath), creating a lunar occultation visible from countries and territories including Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Bolivia amongst others. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 at 17:51 PST (14 days ago) in Taurus

3.

Asteroid 40 Harmonia at opposition Asteroid 40 Harmonia makes closest approach to the Earth. Fri, 02 Jan 2026 at 06:22 PST (13 days ago) in Gemini

4.

The cluster Messier 41 is well placed The open star cluster M41 (NGC 2287; mag 4.5) in Canis Major culminates at around midnight local time. Fri, 02 Jan 2026 (13 days ago) in Canis Major

5.

Full Moon The Moon reaches full phase and is visible for much of the night. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 at 02:02 PST (12 days ago) in Gemini

6.

The Moon at aphelion The Moon passes its furthest point from the Sun, a monthly occurrence around the time of full moon. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 at 05:27 PST (12 days ago) in Gemini

7.

The Earth at perihelion The Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 at 09:15 PST (12 days ago) in Pisces

8.

Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter The Moon and Jupiter share the same right ascension, at a separation of 3°41'. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 at 13:59 PST (12 days ago) in Gemini

9.

Quadrantid meteor shower 2026 The Quadrantid meteor shower reaches its peak. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 (12 days ago) in Bootes

10.

Close approach of the Moon and Jupiter The Moon and Jupiter pass close to each other. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 at 15:13 PST (12 days ago) in Gemini

11.

Close approach of the Moon and M44 The Moon and M44 pass close to each other. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 at 18:44 PST (11 days ago) in Cancer

12.

Mercury at aphelion Mercury passes the furthest point along its orbit from the Sun. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 at 03:01 PST (9 days ago) in Sagittarius

13.

Venus at superior solar conjunction Venus passes around the far side of the Sun. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 at 09:10 PST (9 days ago) in Sagittarius

14.

Lunar occultation of Regulus The Moon will pass in front of Regulus (Alpha Leonis), creating a lunar occultation visible from countries and territories including Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan amongst others. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 at 09:20 PST (9 days ago) in Leo

15.

Comet 24P/Schaumasse passes perihelion Comet 24P/Schaumasse makes its closest approach to the Sun. Thu, 08 Jan 2026 (7 days ago) in Virgo

16.

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 (6 days ago) in Gemini

17.

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 (6 days ago) in Sagittarius

18.

Jupiter at opposition Jupiter is optimally positioned for observation, appears at its closest, brightest and largest. Sat, 10 Jan 2026 at 00:34 PST (5 days ago) in Gemini

19.

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 (5 days ago) in Virgo

20.

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 (2 days ago) in Libra