Stargazing Calendar for January 2026

From bright planetary pairings to quieter meteor showers, stargazing this January 2026 rewards those who take time to look up. These events offer a steady reminder of how dynamic and approachable astronomy can be throughout the winter sky.

List of Meteor Showers in January 2026

1. Antihelion Source: Start on December 10; multiple peaks; end September 10.
2. Comae Berenicids: Start on December 12; peak on December 16; end on February 4.
3. Quadrantids: Start on December 26; peak on January 4; end on January 12.
4. γ-Ursae Minorid: Start on January 15; peak on January 20; end on January 25.
5. α-Centaurids: Start on January 28; peak on February 8; end on February 21.

We also have a complete list of meteor showers for the entire year of 2025 here.

List of Planetary Conjunctions in January 2026

1. Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter in Gemini on January 3.
2. Close approach of the Moon and Beehive Cluster in Cancer on January 5.
3. Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn plus a close approach with Neptune in Pisces on January 23.
4. Close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades in Taurus on January 27.

Moon Phases in January 2026

As you know, the Moon has a big impact on the visibility of celestial bodies and astronomical events in the night sky. So to help you with stargazing, here’s a calendar of the phases of Moon for this month of January 2026:

January 2: Asteroid 40 Harmonia at opposition

The asteroid 40 Harmonia will be at opposition at around midnight local time. It will reach the highest point in the sky and opposite to the Sun.

At the same time the asteroid will be closest to the Earth (perigee) at a distance of 1.294 AU. At this time it will be the brightest, with an apparent magnitude of 9.0. Look in the constellations of Gemini with a telescope. The Moon will be 14 days old and waxing gibbous at 99%.

January 3: The Earth at perihelion

On this day, the Earth will reach its closest point to the Sun (perihelion) in its slightly elliptical orbit. We will be at a distance of 0.9833 AU from the Sun. The Earth’s distance only varies by 3% over a year.

Although not really noticeable, the Sun will appear 3% larger in the sky. But don’t look straight at the Sun without protecting your eyes!

January 3: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter

The Moon and Jupiter will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 3°41′ of each other.

At around the same time the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 3°36′ from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.

The two celestial bodies will meet in the constellation Gemini with the Moon at apparent magnitude of -12.8 and Jupiter at -2.7. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the asteroid 40 Harmonia at opposition on January 2.) The Moon will be a full moon and so it will interfere with stargazing quite a bit this early January 2026.

January 4: Quadrantid meteor shower peak

The Quadrantids are one of the largest meteor showers of the year with as many as 120 meteors per hour on average if conditions are ideal. The Moon will be 16 days old, waning gibbous at 94%.

Some meteors can also be seen between December 26 and January 12. They will radiate from the constellation of Boötes at an average speed of 41 km/s. More exactly, they will radiate from the former constellation of Quadrans Muralis, which included parts of Boötes and Draco. Even though the constellation is now obsolete, the meteor shower retains it’s original name of Quadrantids.

January 4: Comet 24P/Schaumasse at perigee

The comet 24P/Schaumasse will reach perigee, meaning it will reach the closest point in its orbit to the Earth at a distance of 0.59 AU. It will have an apparent magnitude of 9.0 according to the BAA Comet Section, so requiring a telescope. Look in the constellation of Virgo.

January 5: Close approach of the Moon and Beehive Cluster

The Moon and the Beehive Cluster (also known as M44 or Messier 44) will make a close approach, passing within 1°28′ of each other. (See featured image at the top of the article as well as the event “the Beehive cluster at its highest point in the sky” on January 31.)

Both objects will be in the constellation of Cancer with the Moon being at apparent magnitude -12.7; and the Beehive Cluster at 3.1. The Moon will be a 16 days old waning gibbous at 92%.

January 9: Jupiter at perigee

The perigee is the point in the orbit of Jupiter at which it is nearest to the Earth. It will pass as close as 4.23 AU of us and reach a maximum brightness of apparent magnitude -2.7. Look in the constellation of Gemini. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the asteroid 40 Harmonia at opposition on January 2.) The Moon will be 20 days old or waning gibbous at 57%.

At every perigee there is also an opposition at nearly the same time. Jupiter will be at opposition on December 10.

January 18: γ-Ursae Minorid meteor shower peak

The Gamma Ursae Minorids will peak with a zenithal hourly rate of 3 meteors if conditions are optimal. The Moon will not interfere with stargazing this middle of January 2026 as it will be a new moon.

Some meteors may also be spotted between January 15 and January 22. They will radiate from the constellation of Ursa Minor at the speed of 31 km/s on average.

January 20: Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) at perihelion

The comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) will reach perihelion, meaning it will reach the closest point in its orbit to the Sun at a distance of 0.57 AU. It will have an apparent magnitude of 7.6 according to the BAA Comet Section. Look in the constellation of Microscopium. The Moon will be 2 days old or waxing crescent at 5%.

January 23: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn plus a close approach with Neptune

The Moon and Saturn will reach conjunction passing within 4°21′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.

Around the same time, the two bodies as well as Neptune will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 3°49′ from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.

The Moon will be at apparent magnitude -11.0, Saturn at 1.0, and Neptune at 7.9, all in the constellation of Pisces. The Moon will be a 5 days old waxing crescent at 26%.

January 23: Asteroid 44 Nysa at opposition

The asteroid 44 Nysa will be at opposition at around midnight local time. It will reach the highest point in the sky and opposite to the Sun.

At the same time the asteroid will be closest to the Earth (perigee) at a distance of 1.078 AU. At this time it will be the brightest, with an apparent magnitude of 8.6. Look in the constellations of Cancer with a telescope. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the close approach of the Moon and Beehive Cluster on January 5.)

January 27: Close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades

The Moon and the Pleiades star cluster (M45) will make a close approach or appulse, by passing within 1°05′ of each other. This will happen in the constellation of Taurus.

You can observe this astronomical event with the naked eye because the Moon will be at apparent magnitude -12.4 and M45 at 1.3. The Moon will be 9 days old waxing gibbous at 76%.

January 31: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter

The Moon and Jupiter will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 3°50′ of each other.

Around the same time, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 3°47′ from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.

The two celestial bodies will meet in the constellation of Gemini with the Moon at apparent magnitude of -12.7 and Jupiter at -2.6. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the asteroid 40 Harmonia at opposition on January 2.) The Moon will be 12 days old waxing gibbous at 98%.

January 31: The Beehive cluster at its highest point in the sky

The Beehive Cluster (see featured image at the top of the article) will reach its highest point in the sky at around midnight local time, making it a good time to observe it. At an apparent magnitude of 3.1, it is very hard to spot with the naked eye, so binoculars or a telescope are recommended. Look in the constellation of Cancer. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the close approach of the Moon and Beehive Cluster on January 5.)

The Beehive Cluster is also known as Praesepe (manger or crib in Latin) as well as under the designations of M44, Messier 44, NGC 2632, or Cr 189. It has been known since antiquity and Ptolemy mentioned it in his writings.

It is an open cluster about 610 light-years away including about a thousand stars. Interestingly two exoplanets have been discovered in this cluster in 2012.

Positions of the Planets in January 2025

• Mercury: The closest planet to the Sun can be seen at dawn and dusk travelling across the constellations of Libra, Scorpius and then Ophiuchus. This planet, being the closest to the Sun, will appear to move quickly in the night sky and its position will change in the following weeks.
• Venus: The sister planet can be seen travelling across the constellation of Libra. Just like Mercury, Venus can only be seen at dawn and dusk.
• Mars: The red planet can be seen in the constellation of Ophiuchus.
• Jupiter: The gas giant is visible in the constellation of Gemini. Jupiter can easily be spotted with the naked eye, even in highly illuminated cities.
• Saturn: The ringed giant can be seen with the naked eye in the constellation of Aquarius.
• Uranus: The ice giant can be seen in the constellation of Taurus with the use of a telescope.
• Neptune: The blue giant requires a telescope pointed in the constellation of Pisces in order to be seen.

Positions of Dwarf Planets and Large Asteroids in January 2025

• Ceres: The asteroid belt’s lone dwarf planet can be seen in the constellation of Cetus with the help of a telescope.
• Vesta: This large asteroid can be seen in the constellation of Sagittarius with a telescope.
• Pallas: The asteroid can be observed with a telescope in the constellation of Aquarius.
• Hygiea: The fourth largest asteroid can be found with a telescope in the constellation of Gemini.
• Pluto: This distant dwarf planet can be found in the constellation of Capricornus with the help of a large telescope.

Major astronomical events next month – February 2026

• February 4: Uranus ends retrograde motion
• February 8: α-Centaurids meteor shower peak
• February 17: Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) at perigee
• February 17: Annular solar eclipse
• February 27: Asteroid 7 Iris at opposition

Conclusion

This month offers a rich mix of planets, meteors, comets, and lunar encounters, making stargazing in January 2026 especially rewarding for patient observers. Whether you’re tracking bright planets or subtle deep-sky targets, this month highlights the beauty and variety that make astronomy worth stepping outside for.

To ensure you don’t miss out on any celestial happenings, sign up for our newsletter to receive stargazing calendars and more updates. Keep your telescopes ready and clear your calendar for these cosmic highlights!

Sources:

• Planetary ephemerides produced by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
• International Meteor Organization

See also:

• Previous month’s calendar: Stargazing Calendar for December 2025