Honestly, if you stepped outside tonight hoping for a big, glowing lunar spotlight, you’re out of luck. Tonight, January 17, 2026, the moon is basically playing hide-and-seek. It’s a waning crescent so thin it’s nearly invisible—only about 1% illuminated. Tomorrow is the New Moon, so our celestial neighbor is just a tiny sliver rising right before the sun.
But don't let that stop you. If you're asking which planet is close to the moon tonight, the answer depends on whether you're looking for a physical "hug" in the sky or just the brightest thing nearby. While the moon is tucked away near the sun's glare, the real show is happening with Jupiter.
Why Jupiter is Winning the Night Sky Right Now
Even without the moon to guide you, you cannot miss Jupiter. It is the undisputed king of the January 2026 sky. Just a week ago, on January 10, the gas giant reached opposition. That’s the fancy astronomical way of saying Earth sat directly between Jupiter and the Sun.
Because we’re still so close to that date, Jupiter is at its biggest, brightest, and boldest for the entire year. It’s hanging out in the constellation Gemini, right near the "Twin" stars, Castor and Pollux.
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If you have a pair of decent binoculars, give them a shot. You won't just see a bright dot; you'll see a tiny disk. If your hands are steady enough, you’ll even spot the four Galilean moons—Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto—lined up like little diamonds. It's kinda wild to think those tiny specks are entire worlds, one of which (Europa) might actually have an ocean under its ice.
The Saturn Situation: A Disappearing Act
If you’re out just after sunset, look toward the southwest. You’ll find Saturn. It’s not nearly as bright as Jupiter—it’s glowing at a steady magnitude 1.0—but it’s there.
Here’s the thing about Saturn in 2026: the rings are disappearing. Not literally, of course, but from our perspective on Earth, we are seeing them "edge-on." They look like a thin needle stabbing through the planet rather than the wide, hula-hoop rings we usually see in pictures.
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Tonight, Saturn is also playing host to its own moon, Titan. If you have a telescope, Titan will be sitting just to the southeast of the planet's disk. It’s the only moon in our solar system with a substantial atmosphere, which is basically a thick orange haze of nitrogen and methane.
Looking Ahead: When the Moon Actually Meets the Planets
Because the moon is so close to the Sun today, you won't see a "conjunction" (where the moon and a planet look like they're touching) tonight. However, the moon moves fast. It covers about 13 degrees of the sky every 24 hours.
If you want that "Instagrammable" moment where the moon cuddles up to a planet, mark your calendar for January 23, 2026.
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On that night, a beautiful, thin waxing crescent moon will slide right past Saturn. They’ll be roughly 4 degrees apart in the southwest sky about 90 minutes after sunset. If you have a wide-field telescope or even high-end binoculars, you might be able to frame them both in the same view.
A Quick Cheat Sheet for Tonight's Sky
Since the moon is a no-show, here is where to point your eyes for the other heavy hitters:
- Jupiter: High in the east after dinner, moving across the south through the night. Brightest "star" in the sky.
- Saturn: Low in the southwest after sunset. Sets by mid-evening.
- Mars & Venus: Currently lost in the morning light or too close to the sun to see easily without professional gear.
- The Stars: Look for the Winter Circle. Since there's no moonlight to wash out the sky, stars like Sirius (the brightest star), Betelgeuse (the red shoulder of Orion), and Rigel are going to look incredibly crisp.
Getting the Best View
You don't need a $2,000 telescope to enjoy this. Honestly, the best tool is your own eyes and a little bit of patience. Let your eyes adjust to the dark for at least 15 minutes—and yes, that means putting your phone away. The blue light from your screen kills your night vision instantly.
If you’re in a city, Jupiter will still be easy to see. Saturn might be a bit tougher depending on the light pollution and buildings. But since the moon is "new" or nearly new, this is the perfect night for "Deep Sky" observing. If you can drive 20 minutes out of town, you’ll see the Milky Way arching over you, something that’s impossible when the moon is full.
Actionable Next Steps for Tonight
- Check the Weather: Use an app like Clear Outside or Astropheric. You want low "transparency" and "seeing" scores to get a steady view of Jupiter’s bands.
- Find Gemini: Look for two bright stars (Castor and Pollux) near the zenith. The "star" that looks way too bright to be a star right next to them? That’s Jupiter.
- Prepare for the 23rd: Tonight is just a warmup. Set a reminder on your phone for Friday, January 23, to catch the Moon-Saturn-Neptune trio in the southwest.
- Download a Sky Map: Apps like Stellarium or SkySafari are lifesavers. You just point your phone at the sky and it tells you exactly what you’re looking at in real-time.
While there isn't a planet "hugging" the moon tonight, the clarity of a moonless sky makes it one of the best nights of the month to explore the further reaches of the solar system. Go grab a jacket; it’s cold out there, but Jupiter is worth it.