Topline

This week features a sky where winter’s brightest stars strain to be seen as the moon grows from gibbous to full. The Pleiades, Taurus’s horns and Gemini’s twin stars — the latter with Jupiter in their midst — all share the sky with the waxing moon, culminating in Sunday’s full “Snow Moon” rising with Regulus in Leo. Here’s everything you need to know about stargazing and astronomy this week (Jan. 26-Feb. 1, 2026).

he waning gibbous moon sets behind the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro on August 20, 2024. (Photo by Pablo PORCIUNCULA / AFP) (Photo by PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty ImagesTimeline

Tuesday, Jan. 27Moon and M45: tonight brings one of January’s most eye-catching close calls: the waxing gibbous moon — now about 70%-lit — sits just to the left of the Pleiades star cluster (also called M45) in the constellation Taurus. Face southeast about an hour after sunset to see them together. While the moon’s brightness will wash out many of the cluster’s fainter stars, the core stars of the Pleiades — often called the Seven Sisters — should still be visible.

Friday, Jan. 30Moon and Jupiter: tonight, the almost-full moon will pass close to giant planet Jupiter, now three weeks past its annual opposition. Just after dark, look east for the two solar system objects, which will appear to be just four degrees apart. Castor and Pollux — the twin stars of Gemini — will be just to the planet’s upper left.

Sunday, Feb. 1Full “Snow Moon” rises: today’s full moon — the second of winter — becomes 100%-lit at 12:09 p.m. EST and rises into the eastern sky during dusk across North America. Traditionally known as the Snow Moon, it’s also been called the Hunger Moon or Storm Moon. Face east-northeast around sunset to watch the golden disk rise, then look just below it for Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo. It’s also known as a “Little King” star. The ancient Persians called it a Royal Star, along with Fomalhaut, Aldebaran, and Antares, which were each positioned at the seasonal turning points of the solstice and equinox.

Photo of the constellation Gemini with annotations from IAU and Sky & Telescope. Here is the non-annotated version.

E. Slawik/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/M. Constellation Of The Week: Gemini, ‘the Twins’

High in the east after dark, Gemini is home to the twin stars Castor and Pollux. Pollux, slightly brighter and warmer in color, represents the immortal brother in Greek mythology; Castor, cooler and white, is the mortal twin. Between them lies a rich star field where the moon and Jupiter pass this week. Deep-sky objects like the open cluster M35 can be found near the feet of the Twins — a great target for telescope users once the moonlight fades — though the most obvious nearby object is, for now, Jupiter.

The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult Stellarium and other online planetariums. Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more.

Further ReadingForbes2026 Will Bring A ‘Blood Moon,’ ‘Ring Of Fire’ And Total Solar EclipseBy Jamie CarterForbesYour Full Moon Guide For 2026 — All 13 Dates For Your DiaryBy Jamie CarterForbes3I/ATLAS: The Truth About The Interstellar Comet Everyone’s WatchingBy Jamie Carter