Astronomical calendar for January 2026

We're starting the year with a month full of celestial phenomena of great interest for astronomical observation. Even in the heart of winter in the Northern Hemisphere ❄️, the nights are still long, offering excellent opportunities to gaze at the sky.

✨ Main events of the month

🌕 Day 3: Full Moon and perihelion (Earth's closest point to the Sun). Also, a spectacular conjunction of the Moon with Jupiter in the constellation of Gemini.

🌠 Night of the 3rd to the 4th: peak of the Quadrantid meteor shower. This year, the full moon will significantly hinder observation.

🌗 Day 10: The Moon reaches its waning quarter.

🌑 Day 18: New Moon, the best time of the month to observe deep sky.

🪐 Days 22 and 23: at nightfall, elegant conjunction of the waxing moon with Saturn, visible after sunset.

🌓 Day 26: First quarter.

🌔 Days 30 and 31: new Moon-Jupiter conjunction, closing the month with a picture very similar to the beginning.

🌍 On January 3rd, Earth also passes through perihelion. Although we are closer to the Sun ☀️, this does not mean higher temperatures: the seasons depend on the tilt of Earth's axis, not its distance from the Sun.

🌌 January bids farewell with an almost full moon once again accompanying Jupiter, forming a bright pair that is easy to locate even with the naked eye, ideal for enjoying with binoculars or a telescope.

📌 Observation tip: Take advantage of the new moon on the 18th to explore nebulae, clusters and galaxies, and don't forget to plan for planetary conjunctions to enjoy the best views at dusk.

Happy New Year and clear skies! ✨