1.

Mars at opposition Mars lies in the opposite direction to the Sun in the sky, making it closer, brighter and larger than at other times. It is also optimally positioned to be observable for much of the night. Mon, 02 Jan 2040 at 10:21 EDT (5,662 days away) in Gemini

2.

The Earth at perihelion The Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun. Tue, 03 Jan 2040 at 06:32 EDT (5,663 days away) in Pisces

3.

Quadrantid meteor shower 2040 The Quadrantid meteor shower reaches its peak. Wed, 04 Jan 2040 (5,664 days away) in Bootes

4.

Mercury at superior solar conjunction Mercury passes around the far side of the Sun. Wed, 04 Jan 2040 at 22:36 EDT (5,664 days away) in Sagittarius

5.

Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter The Moon and Jupiter share the same right ascension, at a separation of 3°59'. Thu, 05 Jan 2040 at 23:32 EDT (5,666 days away) in Virgo

6.

Close approach of the Moon and Jupiter The Moon and Jupiter pass close to each other. Fri, 06 Jan 2040 at 02:42 EDT (5,666 days away) in Virgo

7.

Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn The Moon and Saturn share the same right ascension, at a separation of 2°22'. Fri, 06 Jan 2040 at 19:30 EDT (5,666 days away) in Virgo

8.

Close approach of the Moon and Saturn The Moon and Saturn pass close to each other. Fri, 06 Jan 2040 at 21:23 EDT (5,666 days away) in Virgo

9.

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, 07 Jan 2040 at 06:06 EDT (5,667 days away) in Virgo

10.

Lunar occultation of Beta1 Scorpii The Moon will pass in front of Beta1 Scorpii (Acrab), creating a lunar occultation visible from countries and territories including Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Solomon Islands amongst others. Tue, 10 Jan 2040 at 14:50 EDT (5,670 days away) in Scorpius

11.

Neptune ends retrograde motion Neptune returns to its usual eastward motion after opposition. Wed, 11 Jan 2040 at 01:52 EDT (5,671 days away) in Pisces

12.

Close approach of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus pass close to each other. Wed, 11 Jan 2040 at 11:52 EDT (5,671 days away) in Ophiuchus

13.

Conjunction of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus share the same right ascension, at a separation of 1°54'. Wed, 11 Jan 2040 at 12:31 EDT (5,671 days away) in Ophiuchus

14.

The Moon at perigee The Moon makes its monthly closest approach to the Earth, making it appear fractionally larger than at other times of the month. Fri, 13 Jan 2040 at 04:57 EDT (5,673 days away) in Sagittarius

15.

The Moon at perihelion The Moon passes its orbit's closest point to the Sun, which happens each month around the time of new moon. Fri, 13 Jan 2040 at 14:56 EDT (5,673 days away) in Sagittarius

16.

New Moon The Moon disappears into the Sun's glare for a few days. Fri, 13 Jan 2040 at 22:26 EDT (5,673 days away) in Sagittarius

17.

Jupiter enters retrograde motion Jupiter reverses its direction of motion across the sky. Mon, 16 Jan 2040 at 08:17 EDT (5,676 days away) in Virgo

18.

γ-Ursae Minorid meteor shower 2040 The γ-Ursae Minorid meteor shower reaches its peak. Thu, 19 Jan 2040 (5,680 days away) in Ursa Minor

19.

Moon at First Quarter The Moon reaches first quarter phase – appearing high in the sky at sunset and setting in the west at around midnight. Fri, 20 Jan 2040 at 21:21 EDT (5,680 days away) in Pisces

20.

Saturn enters retrograde motion Saturn reverses its direction of motion across the sky. Fri, 20 Jan 2040 at 23:20 EDT (5,681 days away) in Virgo