WHAT’S UP(COMING)! – Observation Calendar Jan-Mar 2026
Source for events and links below are In-The-Sky.org, Dominic Ford, Editor. The links provide details for each event including a scale on how difficult they are to observe.
Additionally, here’s a link to a printable PDF for “Navigating the mid January Night Sky” from our friends at the Astronomical League!
Jan 2 – The cluster Messier 41 is well placed
– Asteroid 40 Harmonia at opposition
Jan 3 – Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
– Quadrantid meteor shower 2026 peak
– Full Moon
Jan 4 – Close approach of the Moon and M44
Jan 6 – Comet 24P/Schaumasse reaches peak brightness
Jan 10 – Jupiter at opposition
Jan 15 – The cluster Messier 47 is well placed
Jan 18 – New Moon
Jan 19 – γ-Ursae Minorid meteor shower 2026 peak
Jan 23 – Close approach of the Moon, Saturn and Neptune
– Asteroid 44 Nysa at opposition
Jan 27 – Close approach of the Moon and M45
Jan 30 – Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
Jan 31 – The Beehive cluster is well placed
Feb 1 – Close approach of the Moon and M44
– Full Moon
Feb 17 – New Moon
Feb 18 – Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury
Feb 19 – Messier 81 is well placed
– Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
Feb 20 – Mercury at highest altitude in evening sky
Feb 23 – Close approach of the Moon and M45
Feb 26 – Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
Feb 27 – Asteroid 7 Iris at opposition
Feb 28 – Close approach of the Moon and M44
Mar 3 – Total lunar eclipse
– Full Moon
Mar 18 – New Moon
Mar 20 – Conjunction of the Moon and Venus
Mar 21 – Asteroid 20 Massalia at opposition
Mar 22 – Mercury at highest altitude in morning sky
Mar 23 – Close approach of the Moon and M45
Mar 26 – Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
Mar 27 – Close approach of the Moon and M44
