January Skywatching Guide: Wolf Moon, Jupiter, and More
NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Jonny Kim captured views of September’s total lunar eclipse from the International Space Station. A new year means new skywatching events to look forward to, and January holds a few things worth seeing. Most of the month’s skywatching events happen on the same day — Jan. 3.
Jan. 3 is the first full moon of the year, known as the Wolf Moon, and will rise on the evening of Jan. 2, before peaking in the early morning hours on Jan. 3. According to EarthSky.org, the Wolf Moon for 2026 will be a supermoon, meaning the moon’s orbit is closer to Earth than usual.
NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Jonny Kim captured views of September’s total lunar eclipse from the International Space Station.
Wolf Moon and Perihelion
In addition to the full moon on Jan. 3, Earth will also be in perihelion, meaning our orbit will be closest to the sun. The first major meteor shower of the year will also peak on Saturday, Jan. 3. The Quadrantid meteor shower this year will likely be hard to see with the full Wolf Moon glowing in the sky, but you might be lucky enough to catch a few of the meteors if you block the moon’s light.
SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR – JANUARY 13: A view of the first full moon of the year, also known as the wolf moon due to its happening on January, as seen from the city on January 13, 2025 in San Salvador, El Salvador.
(APHOTOGRAFIA)
Jupiter at Opposition
Just a week later, on Jan. 10, Jupiter, which will be clearly visible in the night sky for most of the month, will be at opposition. According to The Planetary Society, when Jupiter is in opposition, it means that the planet will be on the opposite side of Earth from the sun. Earth will fly between the sun and Jupiter on that day, EarthSky.org reported.
A Quadrantid meteor streaks across the sky over Beypazari district of Ankara, Turkey on January 05, 2022. (Photo by Fatih Kurt/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
New Moon and Upcoming Events
The last skywatching event of the month is the new moon, which will occur on Jan. 18. After that, the next thing to look forward to in the sky will come in February. There’s a partial solar eclipse that will take place on Feb. 17.
The Milky Way’s Galactic Centre and Jupiter (brightest spot at centre top) are seen from the countryside near the small town of Reboledo, department of Florida, Uruguay, early on August 24, 2020
(Photo by Mariana SUAREZ / AFP) (Photo by MARIANA SUAREZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Read more about the January skywatching guide Here
Image Source: www.foxweather.com
