Moon Phases
Friday, January 23, 2026
Waxing Crescent 19% illuminated
Rise: 9:29 AM
Set: 10:19 PM
Eye on the Night Sky, January 23, 2026
Tuesday, January 06, 2026
Today:
When watching the waning Gibbous Moon climb into the skies before 9 o’clock, you’ll see that the brightest star in Leo, the Lion, Regulus, leads the way, above the Moon, and a bit right. Leo is just entering into its best early evening viewing, which will last through the winter and into the spring, before the late sunsets of the early summer push its viewabiltiy into the late evening or overnight hours.
Wednesday:
The Milky Way, known in the Orient as the “River of Light”, arches from southeast to northwest, home to many bright stars, including Capella, a brilliant white star some 46 light-years away, the sixth brightest star in the skies. You’ll find this beacon nearly overhead this evening at 10:00 PM EST.
Thursday:
Looking nearly overhead, just before 10:00 PM this evening, you’ll find the fourth brightest star we can see from our northern latitudes, the outstanding Capella. Below Capella in the south, Orion is unmistakable, while the red star Aldebaran sparkles to Orion’s right. Left of the stellar giant are the Twins of Gemini, accompanied by the dazzling Jupiter.
Start Chart:
Ground Hog Day Celestial Shadows!
The Moon passes right in front of the star Regulus during the evening of February 2nd, 2026.
The Moon will be just one day past Full when it passes between us and the star Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, the Lion, often depicted as the front of his chest.
It is complicated, however.
The Earth’s rotation causes the stars, as well as the Moon, to rise higher in the east. The Moon’s orbital motion, however, goes the opposite way, with the Moon actually moving to the lower left, toward the horizon, but much, much more slowly. This means the Moon appears just above the star Regulus before 8:50 PM, and then its true motion causes it to cover Regulus from 8:53 PM to 9:58 PM. As the Moon continues its motion, Regulus re-emerges on the upper right edge of the Moon.
This event is called an “occultation”, and is quite rare when happening to a bright star. They do come in cycles though, with additional occulations of Regulus expected over the next few years.
This program is a partnership between the Fairbanks Museum and Vermont Public.