1.

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. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 at 16:44 EDT (604 days away) 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 20:51 EDT (604 days away) in Taurus

3.

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 (605 days away) in Canis Major

4.

Full Moon The Moon reaches full phase and is visible for much of the night. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 at 05:02 EDT (606 days away) in Gemini

5.

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 (606 days away) in Gemini

6.

The Earth at perihelion The Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 at 12:15 EDT (606 days away) in Pisces

7.

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 (606 days away) in Gemini

8.

Quadrantid meteor shower 2026 The Quadrantid meteor shower reaches its peak. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 (606 days away) in Bootes

9.

Close approach of the Moon and Jupiter The Moon and Jupiter pass close to each other. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 at 18:13 EDT (606 days away) in Gemini

10.

Comet 24P/Schaumasse passes perigee Comet 24P/Schaumasse makes its closest approach to the Earth. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 (607 days away) in Virgo

11.

Close approach of the Moon and M44 The Moon and M44 pass close to each other. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 at 21:44 EDT (607 days away) in Cancer

12.

Mercury at aphelion Mercury passes the furthest point along its orbit from the Sun. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 at 06:01 EDT (609 days away) in Sagittarius

13.

Comet 24P/Schaumasse reaches peak brightness Comet 24P/Schaumasse is forecast to reach the brightest point in its 2026 apparition. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 (609 days away) in Virgo

14.

Venus at superior solar conjunction Venus passes around the far side of the Sun. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 at 12:10 EDT (609 days away) in Sagittarius

15.

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 (609 days away) in Leo

16.

Comet 24P/Schaumasse passes perihelion Comet 24P/Schaumasse makes its closest approach to the Sun. Thu, 08 Jan 2026 (611 days away) in Virgo

17.

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 (612 days away) in Gemini

18.

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 (612 days away) in Sagittarius

19.

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 (613 days away) in Gemini

20.

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 (613 days away) in Virgo