Honestly, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but if you’re standing out on a Manhattan sidewalk right now with your neck craned toward the sky, you’re probably going to be disappointed.
There isn't an eclipse today, January 13, 2026, in New York.
I know, I know—the internet has a funny way of making old news feel like "right now" news. Maybe you saw a TikTok from two years ago or a random Facebook post that got shared a few thousand times by people who didn't check the date. It happens to the best of us. But if we're talking about real-deal celestial events happening specifically today over the Empire State, the moon is actually just chilling in its waning crescent phase, and the sun is doing its usual winter thing.
But don't toss those eclipse glasses in the junk drawer just yet. New York has some massive sky events coming up later this year that are actually worth the hype.
Why Everyone Is Asking What Time Is The Eclipse Today In New York
Search trends are weird. Sometimes a specific date gets "sticky" in the algorithm because of a past event or a misunderstanding of a future calendar. If you're looking for an eclipse today, you might be thinking of the total solar eclipse that blew everyone's minds back in April 2024. That was a once-in-a-generation moment for New Yorkers.
Or, perhaps you're looking at a very long-term astronomical calendar. Interestingly, there is a partial lunar eclipse scheduled for January 13... but in the year 2112. Unless you've discovered the secret to eternal life or you're a time traveler (in which case, please share your secrets), you’ve got about 86 years of waiting to do for that one.
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Today, January 13, 2026, the big news in the New York sky isn't an eclipse—it's actually the Moon at apogee. That basically means the moon is at its farthest point from Earth in its orbit. It's about 251,900 miles away right now. Because it's so far, it looks just a tiny bit smaller than usual, though most of us won't notice the difference without a telescope.
The Real 2026 Eclipse Schedule for New Yorkers
If you're itching to see the sky go dark or the moon turn blood-red, you only have to wait a few months. 2026 is actually a pretty legendary year for stargazing in the Northeast.
Here is what is actually on the books for New York City and the surrounding areas:
The Total Lunar Eclipse: March 3, 2026
This is the big one for the first half of the year. Unlike a solar eclipse, you don’t need fancy glasses for this. The Earth will slide directly between the sun and the moon, casting a deep, rusty shadow.
In New York, the moon will actually be setting as the eclipse reaches its peak. You’ll want to find a spot with a very clear view of the western horizon—think a high rooftop or a West Side pier—at around 6:30 AM. It’s going to be a "setting blood moon," which is arguably one of the most photogenic things you'll ever see.
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The Partial Solar Eclipse: August 12, 2026
Mark your calendars for the middle of summer. This is a total solar eclipse for parts of Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, but New York gets a "bite" out of the sun.
- Start Time: Roughly 1:07 PM
- Maximum Coverage: 1:54 PM
- End Time: 2:38 PM
It won't get pitch black like it did in 2024, but it’ll definitely feel "off" outside. You will absolutely need those ISO-certified solar filters again for this one.
What You Can Actually See Tonight (January 13)
Okay, so there’s no eclipse. Does that mean the sky is boring tonight? Not even close.
If the clouds over the Five Boroughs actually behave, you’ve got a prime opportunity to see the king of the planets. Jupiter is currently dominating the night sky. It just reached "opposition" a few days ago, meaning it’s as big and bright as it gets for the entire year.
You don't even need a telescope. Just look up and find the brightest "star" that isn't twinkling. That's Jupiter. It’s hanging out in the constellation Gemini, and if you have even a basic pair of bird-watching binoculars, you can actually see its four largest moons—Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto—looking like tiny pinpricks of light in a straight line.
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How to Not Get Fooled by Eclipse News
I get it. Every time the word "eclipse" pops up on a feed, we get excited. But to save yourself from standing in the cold for no reason, here is a quick "sanity check" list for New York sky events:
- Check the Year: Seriously. A lot of "Live" streams on YouTube are actually recordings of the 2024 eclipse playing on a loop to farm views.
- The Moon Phase Rule: A solar eclipse can only happen during a New Moon. A lunar eclipse can only happen during a Full Moon. If the moon is a crescent (like it is today), an eclipse is physically impossible.
- Local Visibility: Just because an eclipse is happening doesn't mean it's happening here. Some eclipses are only visible from Antarctica or the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Preparing for the Next Real Event
Since you've clearly got the itch for some backyard astronomy, the best thing you can do right now is get ready for that March 3 lunar eclipse.
New York City light pollution is a beast. If you want to see the moon's transition properly, you should start scouting locations now. You need a clear shot of the horizon. Brooklyn Bridge Park is usually a solid bet, or the High Line if you can get there early enough.
Your Next Steps:
- Dig out those 2024 eclipse glasses and make sure they aren't scratched. You’ll need them for August.
- Download a sky map app like SkyGuide or Stellarium. It'll use your phone's GPS to show you exactly what's above you in real-time, so you'll never have to wonder "what time is the eclipse today in New York" again.
- Keep an eye on the weather for March 3. If it's cloudy in the city, a quick drive out to Montauk or upstate toward the Catskills can sometimes save your viewing experience.
The universe is still putting on a show tonight; it's just a different act than you expected.