January's sky: what to see in the night sky this month?

Introduction: A New Cycle Under the Winter StarsAs the year 2026 begins in the winter cold, the January sky reveals exceptional purity. The long nights are a true gift for astronomy enthusiasts, offering superb opportunities to observe the sky. Winter constellations dominate the celestial vault, planets shine like beacons, and curious observers can even witness rare and historical phenomena. Prepare warm clothing, binoculars, or a telescope, and let yourself be guided under the winter's shimmering dome.Jupiter, Queen of the Winter SkyIn January 2026, the undisputed star of the night sky is Jupiter. The immense gas giant reaches opposition on January 10, 2026, meaning it is directly opposite the Sun in the Earth's sky. As a result, it is extremely bright, visible all night, and remarkably high in the winter sky. Even to the naked eye, Jupiter is easy to spot: a white-golden glow, more stable and intense than a star.With simple binoculars, you can distinguish its four Galilean moons – Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto – which move each night like a small celestial ballet. Through a telescope (starting at 100 mm aperture), the planet reveals its characteristic cloud bands, and patient observers may admire the famous Great Red Spot, a massive oval storm rotating slowly.Jupiter also begins a retrograde motion until March 11, 2026. This means it appears to move backward among the stars of Taurus, an effect due to the relative positions of Earth and the planet in their respective orbits. Two notable close encounters with the Moon will mark this month: January 3 and January 30. Magnificent celestial duos to immortalize, whether you are a casual observer or an astrophotography enthusiast.Astronomical Phenomena Not to MissThe Quadrantids: The First Meteor Shower of the YearJanuary 3 marks the peak of the Quadrantids, a meteor shower that is often intense but little-known. Normally, it can produce up to 120 shooting stars per hour. However, this year, the Full Moon will interfere with observations, eclipsing the faintest meteors. To maximize your chances, get away from city lights and observe between 4 AM and 6 AM in the northeast direction.Comet 24P/Schaumasse: Discreet but InterestingDiscovered in 1911, periodic comet 24P/Schaumasse is making its return. It will pass closest to the Sun on January 4 and become more easily observable after January 12. With a magnitude of around 8, it will be visible with small astronomical binoculars or binoculars under a sky free from light pollution. It can be spotted in the constellation Cancer, above the eastern horizon before dawn.The Occultation of the Pleiades by the MoonOn January 27 around 10:30 PM, a rare spectacle will occur: the Moon will occult the Pleiades, the famous open cluster in the constellation Taurus. The stars of this 'mini-swarm' of blue will disappear one by one behind the lunar disk, then reappear over the minutes. A spectacle to follow with the naked eye or binoculars, moving by its slowness and precision.Other Visible PlanetsSaturn still shines low in the southwest at twilight, nestled in the constellation Pisces. It sets early, around 9 PM, offering beautiful opportunities for observation at the very beginning of the night.Uranus reigns in Taurus, not far from Jupiter, and can be guessed as a small blue-green ball through a telescope.Neptune, located east of Saturn, requires a more powerful instrument, but remains visible in the early evening before sinking below the horizon.Observation TipsIn winter, cold and clear evenings favor astronomical observation, but some precautions are necessary:Dress warmly, in layers, with thin gloves that allow you to handle your equipment.Let your instruments acclimate to the outside temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before observing: this limits internal turbulence.To easily locate Jupiter and winter constellations, use a mobile app or a rotating star chart.Choose a clear spot facing southeast or south, away from streetlights and urban lighting.Equip yourself with a red light to preserve your dark adaptation.10x50 binoculars are ideal for beginners: they reveal Jupiter's moons, the main double stars, and open clusters like the Pleiades or the Crèche Cluster. A telescope of 100 mm or more allows you to admire Saturn, its rings, and Jupiter's cloud bands in more detail.Locating the January Night SkyThe January sky is dominated by winter constellations, among the most spectacular of the year. At the top of the sky, Orion stands out thanks to its belt formed by three aligned stars. Just below its arc, the Orion Nebula (M42) reveals itself as a fuzzy patch to the naked eye, a true stellar nursery also observed by professionals. To the left of Orion, Taurus with the Hyades cluster (in the shape of a V) and the Pleiades adds a touch of elegance to the firmament. Above, the Charioteer houses the star Capella, glowing with a golden hue, while below, the Great Dog shines with Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.For attentive observers, it is also fun to spot the winter line: an imaginary alignment connecting Sirius, Procyon, and Pollux, then Castor and Capella—a true star highway.Historical Anecdotes and Space Culture in JanuaryThe month of January is also rich in memories of human achievements related to space. On January 10, 1946, the Diana project achieved the first radar communication with the Moon: a radio echo, sent from New Jersey, bounced off the lunar surface and returned to Earth, confirming for the first time the possibility of communicating with our satellite via waves. This feat marked the beginning of the era of space communications.On January 14, 1966, Sergei Korolev, the architect of the Soviet space program and father of the first manned missions, passed away. Without him, sending Yuri Gagarin around the Earth would likely not have been possible.Finally, on January 28, 1986, the world was shaken by the tragedy of the Challenger shuttle, which exploded shortly after takeoff. This event deeply marked space research and the way missions were prepared thereafter.Conclusion: A Month of WonderThe January sky combines winter splendor with the promise of a new beginning. Whether you look up to admire Jupiter at its peak, a Quadrantid shooting star, or the delicate Pleiades hidden by the Moon, every moment of observation is a gateway to the infinite. Take the time to observe, understand, and dream. This first month of the year offers, more than ever, a celestial spectacle within everyone's reach.