Derekscope

• The Moon will pass close to Messier 44 (the Beehive Cluster) on both Sunday 4th and Monday 5th January 2026.
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• The Moon’s brightness will wash out much of the Beehive’s faint stars, but binoculars will still reveal the brighter groups of stars.
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• The full moon on Saturday 3 January 2026 is widely classified as a “Moon After Yule”. (Wolf Moon as US moon folklore name ~ In the UK, we call it – Moon After Yule.)
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• The first supermoon of the year, meaning the Moon is nearly at its closest point to Earth (perigee) when it becomes full, so it can appear slightly larger and brighter than a typical full moon.
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• With binoculars, look for the Moon near Jupiter, you’ll spot all four of Jupiter’s moons.
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Algol Minima

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• The bright variable star Beta Persei (Algol) will reach its minimum brightness at 05:13 am in the early morning on Sunday 4th January and will be visible from the UK.
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• Here’s a list of upcoming minimum brightness times for Algol – read more.

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• The Quadrantid meteor shower will peak on the night of Saturday 3rd January 2026, with the sharp maximum expected in the early hours of Sunday 4th January.
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• It is one of the strongest annual showers, but its peak lasts only a few hours.
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• Up to 80–120 meteors per hour under ideal dark-sky conditions.
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• Unfortunately, a bright full Moon occurs on 3rd January, which will wash out many fainter meteors ~ Observers should block the Moon from view and focus on the brighter Quadrantids.
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• The Quadrantids are visible across the entire Northern Hemisphere, including the UK, and they radiate from a point in the sky near the constellation Boötes, close to the Ursa Major (the Plough).
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• BSL Version

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Moon After Yule

• Moon After Yule
  – The Moon After Yule is simply the first full moon after the Yule festival (winter solstice).
  – Bright midwinter moon, rising in Gemini.
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• It reminds us that although nights are still long, daylight is slowly returning after Yule.
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• Traditional Full Moon Names and their Meanings
  – Full Moon names reflect seasonal changes and natural rhythms observed by early cultures, particularly those influenced by UK colonial traditions and Native American heritage.
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  – Learn more about traditional Full Moon Names and their Meanings ~ Read more.
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• Jupiter’s largest moon, Callisto will slip into Jupiter’s shadow at midnight, disappearing from view in telescopes.
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• Callisto, being the outermost Galilean moon, experiences fewer eclipses than Io, Europa, or Ganymede.
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• BSL Version

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The Moon at perigee

• The Moon will reach perigee, its closest point to Earth, at 21:44 / 9.44pm today.
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• Already quite large and bright in the constellation Taurus , as it’s approaching full phase and perigee.
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(This photo of Northern Lights was captured
in Milton Keynes on Friday 10th May 2024.)

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• Your guide to the night sky this month, and a guide for binoculars, and telescope deaf owners, compiled by Derek Rowley.
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• Click the blue link below for more information;

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Astronomy Highlights for January 2026

( BSLis available to make this event accessible.)

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