January Skies: New Year Stargazing Over Yerington

By Author David Nyberg

As the new year dawns over Mason Valley, the skies above Yerington promise a delightful start to 2026 for anyone who loves to look up at the stars. On cold January nights, the vast desert sky becomes a gallery of shining planets, bright moons, and even a classic winter meteor shower.

The month opens with a Full Moon on January 3, sometimes called the “Wolf Moon,” glowing big and bright over our winter landscape. Near that same night, the Quadrantid meteor shower reaches its peak. This annual shower can produce a strong display of shooting stars in the dark hours around January 3–4, offering a chance to see streaks of light darting across the sky before dawn.

Just a few days later, on January 10, the giant planet Jupiter reaches opposition. In astronomy, opposition means Earth lies directly between Jupiter and the Sun, so the planet appears at its brightest and largest in our sky. Jupiter will rise at sunset and stay visible all night, shining like a brilliant beacon among the stars.

Throughout January, the Moon journeys through its phases. After the Full Moon early in the month, it wanes toward Last Quarter around January 11–12, and then becomes New on January 18–19, giving darker skies that are ideal for stargazing.

Planet lovers will find plenty to enjoy. Jupiter’s brilliance makes it easy to find after sunset, and with binoculars or a small telescope, details like its four largest moons might be visible. While other bright planets such as Venus, Mars, and Saturn may also catch the eye at different times of evening or morning, Jupiter’s opposition in mid-month makes it the standout object for January.

For the best views, choose a dark spot away from town lights, bundle up, and let your eyes adjust to the night. Whether you’re catching a shooting star, watching Jupiter climb across the sky, or simply savoring the quiet beauty of a winter moon, January 2026 offers a compelling invitation to explore the heavens above Yerington.

Sources: Sea and Sky Astronomy Calendar; National Geographic; Spaceweatherlive.com.