2841.

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 20:51 EDT (544 days away) in Taurus

2842.

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 (545 days away) in Canis Major

2843.

Full Moon The Moon reaches full phase and is visible for much of the night. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 at 05:02 EDT (546 days away) in Gemini

2844.

The Moon at aphelion The Moon recedes to its orbit's furthest point from the Sun, which happens each month around the time of full moon. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 at 08:27 EDT (546 days away) in Gemini

2845.

The Earth at perihelion The Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 at 12:15 EDT (546 days away) in Pisces

2846.

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 16:59 EDT (546 days away) in Gemini

2847.

Quadrantid meteor shower 2026 The Quadrantid meteor shower reaches its peak. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 (546 days away) in Bootes

2848.

Close approach of the Moon and Jupiter The Moon and Jupiter pass close to each other. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 at 18:13 EDT (546 days away) in Gemini

2849.

Comet 24P/Schaumasse passes perigee Comet 24P/Schaumasse makes its closest approach to the Earth. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 (547 days away) in Virgo

2850.

Close approach of the Moon and M44 The Moon and M44 pass close to each other. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 at 21:44 EDT (547 days away) in Cancer

2851.

Mercury at aphelion Mercury passes the furthest point along its orbit from the Sun. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 at 06:01 EDT (549 days away) in Sagittarius

2852.

Venus at superior solar conjunction Venus passes around the far side of the Sun. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 at 12:10 EDT (549 days away) in Sagittarius

2853.

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 12:20 EDT (549 days away) in Leo

2854.

Comet 24P/Schaumasse reaches peak brightness Comet 24P/Schaumasse is forecast to reach the brightest point in its 2026 apparition. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 (550 days away) in Virgo

2855.

Comet 24P/Schaumasse passes perihelion Comet 24P/Schaumasse makes its closest approach to the Sun. Thu, 08 Jan 2026 (551 days away) in Virgo

2856.

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 03:05 EDT (552 days away) in Gemini

2857.

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 06:07 EDT (552 days away) in Sagittarius

2858.

Jupiter at opposition Jupiter lies in the opposite direction to the Sun in the sky, making it slightly closer, brighter and larger than at other times. It is also optimally positioned to be observable for much of the night. Sat, 10 Jan 2026 at 03:34 EDT (553 days away) in Gemini

2859.

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 10:48 EDT (553 days away) in Virgo

2860.

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 15:46 EDT (556 days away) in Libra