NASA's initial skywatching suggestions for 2026 feature a particularly bright planet.

      Explore the stunning views available at the beginning of 2026.

      What's Happening: January 2026 Skywatching Insights from NASA

      For those who enjoy stargazing, the year 2026 begins with an excellent opportunity to see Jupiter at its largest and brightest, as highlighted by NASA’s recent recommendations for the night sky this coming month. However, there’s more to see beyond Jupiter, so continue reading for additional details.

      Jupiter at Opposition

      On January 10, the largest planet in our solar system will shine at its brightest throughout 2026, making it a must-see.

      “On this night, Jupiter will reach what is known as ‘opposition,’ which means that Earth will be positioned directly between Jupiter and the sun,” NASA explained in a video shared this week. “In this configuration, Jupiter will appear larger and more luminous in the night sky than at any other time of the year.”

      To locate it, look towards the east where you'll find the planet in the constellation Gemini. It will be one of the most luminous objects in the night sky, making it easy to identify, weather permitting. In fact, on the evening of January 10, only the moon and Venus will outshine Jupiter.

      The Moon and Saturn Conjunction

      Following this, on January 23, Saturn and the moon will come together in the sky for a conjunction.

      “A conjunction occurs when celestial bodies appear close together from our perspective, despite being far apart in space,” NASA mentions in the video.

      The moon will be easy to spot, and with a bit of effort, you should also be able to see Saturn twinkling faintly just below our closest celestial neighbor.

      The Beehive Cluster

      Lastly, January provides an opportunity to observe the Beehive Cluster, also known as Messier 44 or M44. Discovered by Galileo in 1609, the Beehive Cluster consists of at least 1,000 stars in a loosely bound open cluster of stars.

      To find the Beehive Cluster, look towards the east shortly after sunset and before midnight in the coming weeks, with NASA suggesting mid-month as an optimal time since the cluster will be positioned at a comfortable height in the sky.

      If conditions are dark enough and light pollution is minimal, the Beehive Cluster may be visible to the naked eye, but using binoculars or a telescope will enhance the viewing experience.

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