{"id":198288,"date":"2025-12-23T16:22:15","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T16:22:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/198288\/"},"modified":"2025-12-23T16:22:15","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T16:22:15","slug":"2026-january-3-jupiter-and-the-full-wolf-moon-dominate-the-night-sky","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/198288\/","title":{"rendered":"2026, January 3: Jupiter and the Full Wolf Moon Dominate the Night Sky"},"content":{"rendered":"

January 3, 2026: Jupiter and the Full Wolf Moon shine together during an all-night display, with Saturn visible after sunset.<\/p>\n

\"Jupiter,2020, November 19: The crescent moon is 5,4\u00b0 to the lower left of Saturn, while Jupiter is 3.3\u00b0 to the lower right of the Ringed Wonder.<\/p>\n

by Jeffrey L. Hunt<\/p>\n

\u00a0Chicago, Illinois: Sunrise, 7:18 a.m. CST; Sunset, 4:32 p.m. CST.\u00a0 Times are calculated by the US Naval Observatory\u2019s MICA computer program. Check local sources for sunrise and sunset times.<\/p>\n

Before Sunrise<\/p>\n

\"Jupiter,Chart Caption \u2013 2026, January 3: An hour before sunrise, Jupiter, Moon, and the Gemini Twins are low in the west-northwest.<\/p>\n

Jupiter and the moon dominate the sky during their nearly all-night westward journey, while Saturn is visible after sunset.<\/p>\n

Before sunrise, bright Jupiter and the Full (Wolf) moon are low in the west-northwest. The moon is opposite the sun and reaches the Full phase at 4:30 a.m. Central Time. This marks the first bright Full moon of the season.<\/p>\n

An hour before sunrise, Jupiter stands nearly 20\u00b0 above the west-northwest horizon and 7.9\u00b0 to the lunar orb\u2019s upper left. The planet is 6.9\u00b0 to Pollux\u2019s lower left, one of the Gemini Twins.<\/p>\n

Compare the moon\u2019s position this morning with its location after sunset. Notice that the moon sets far toward the northwest \u2014 well north along the horizon from the sun\u2019s summer solstice setting point. The lunar orb is near its most northerly orbital extreme, an event that recurs every 18.6 years.<\/p>\n

After Sunset<\/p>\n

\"Saturn,Chart Caption \u2013 2026, January 3: An hour after sunset, Saturn is nearly 45\u00b0 above the south-southwest horizon.<\/p>\n

After sundown, Saturn is in the south-southwest, nearly halfway from the horizon to overhead. While noticeably dimmer than Jupiter, it matches the brightness of Fomalhaut \u2014 the mouth of the Southern Fish \u2014 about 30\u00b0 to Saturn\u2019s lower right.<\/p>\n

\"Jupiter,Chart Caption \u2013 2026, January 3: Three hours after sunset, the bright moon is nearly between Jupiter and Pollux in the east-northeast.<\/p>\n

Farther eastward, Jupiter, the moon, and Gemini rise into the east-northeast sky. Wait until they climb higher above horizon obstructions. Three hours after sunset, the trio stands nearly 30\u00b0 above the horizon, with the moon nearly between Jupiter and Pollux. <\/p>\n

\"BinocularChart Caption \u2013 2026, January 3: A binocular view of Jupiter, Moon, and Gemini\u2019s Pollux.<\/p>\n

The three objects fit tightly into the same binocular field of view.<\/p>\n

During Jupiter\u2019s apparition, the moon passes near Jupiter and Pollux during each lunation.<\/p>\n

As the night progresses, Saturn sets before midnight, while Jupiter and the moon remain visible nearly all night. By tomorrow morning, they again appear low in the west-northwest.<\/p>\n

Look for Jupiter and Pollux as the moon moves between them during the early evening hours. Find Saturn shortly after sunset.<\/p>\n

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\"Winter2026, January 3: Jupiter and the Full Wolf Moon Dominate the Night Sky<\/a><\/p>\n

January 3, 2026: Jupiter and the Full Wolf Moon shine together during an all-night display, with Saturn visible after sunset.<\/p>\n

\"Desert2026, January 2-4: Full Wolf Moon Approaches and Passes Jupiter and Gemini<\/a><\/p>\n

January 2-4, 2026: The Full Wolf moon passes bright Jupiter near Pollux in Gemini. Learn when and where to look during early evening hours.<\/p>\n

\"Orion,2026, January 1: New Year\u2019s Sky Guide: Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and Planets<\/a><\/p>\n

January 1, 2026: As the New Year begins, Jupiter, Saturn and Moon dominate the evening sky, while Orion\u2019s Betelgeuse rises at sunset. This almanac details where and when to look with directions and separations.<\/p>\n

\"Sirius\"2025, December 31: Sirius at New Year: Finding the Brightest Star in the Night Sky<\/a><\/p>\n

December 31, 2025: As New Year approaches, Sirius shines high in the southern sky. Learn when and where to find the brightest star of the night.<\/p>\n

\"Starry2025, December 30: See Jupiter, Saturn, and Moon Tonight<\/a><\/p>\n

December 30, 2025: Track the moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and the visible planets with this Solar System Almanac. Precise sky positions, angular separations, and observing guidance for late December.<\/p>\n

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