Jupiter is arguably the best planet to see in January 2026, as it reaches opposition on 10 January.
Opposition is the date when Jupiter is opposite the Sun in the sky, making this the best time to see it.
The weeks leading up to and after opposition also give amazing views.
You may have seen Jupiter already without knowing it. It's visible as a bright 'star' in the eastern sky after sunset, and looks beautiful even with the naked eye.
If you've never taken the time to observe Jupiter through your telescope, now's the time to do so.
You'll be able to see its recognisable striped appearance, caused by the belts and zones of its stormy atmosphere.
And even a modest telescope will show you its brightest Galilean moons, appearing as small dots either side of the planet.
For more info, read our guides on how to observe Jupiter and how to observe Jupiter's moons.
But Jupiter isn't the only planet visible in January 2026. Here we'll look at each Solar System world in turn, and whether it's worth seeking out this month.
Mercury
Mercury reaches superior conjunction on 21 January, a time when it lines up with the Sun on the opposite side of its orbit from Earth, behind the Sun.
This marks the transition from morning to evening planet, but also means Mercury is too close to the Sun for proper observation this month.
Venus
- Best time to see: 31 January, 15 minutes after sunset (difficult)
- Altitude: 1° (extremely low)
- Location: Capricornus
- Direction: West-southwest
Like Mercury, Venus also reaches superior conjunction this month and transitions from a morning to an evening planet. This occurs on 6 January, meaning Venus won’t be visible at the start of January as it’s too close to the Sun.
At the end of the month, the mag. –3.8 planet may be glimpsed 15 minutes after sunset, but its altitude will be very low, making this an extremely hard observation. Mag. –3.8 Venus and –1.2 Mercury are just 41 arcminutes apart on 29 January.
Mars
Mars reaches solar conjunction on 9 January and so won’t be visible at all during January.
Saturn
- Best time to see: 1 January, 17:15 UT
- Altitude: 33°
- Location: Aquarius
- Direction: South
Saturn is currently an evening planet shining at mag. +0.7 on 1 January, when it’s able to reach a peak altitude of 33° when due south at 17:15 UT in darkening twilight.
The planet is currently in Aquarius, 3.4° southwest of Neptune at the start of the month. On 15 January, Saturn crosses the border of Aquarius to enter Pisces, and on 23 January, still shining at mag. +0.7, it will have moved to a position 2.2° southwest of Neptune, with a 24%-lit waxing crescent Moon 5.9° to the northeast of the planet.
By the end of the month, Saturn is only be able to achieve 19° altitude above the southwest horizon as darkness falls.
Uranus
- Best time to see: 1 January, 21:10 UT
- Altitude: 57°
- Location: Taurus
- Direction: South
Uranus is currently in the constellation Taurus, just south of the Pleiades open star cluster. Currently shining at mag. +5.7, it’s theoretically possible to see the planet with the naked eye, but binoculars are a better bet. The planet is able to reach its highest position, due south under dark conditions all month long.
Neptune
- Best time to see: 1 January, 18:10 UT
- Altitude: 35°
- Location: Pisces
- Direction: Slightly west of south
Neptune is an evening planet, currently located near to Saturn. It’s positioned just west of south as true darkness falls at the start of the month, an indicator that it’s now deteriorating in position. Currently shining at mag. +7.9, you’ll need binoculars to see this planet.
Share your planetary images and experiences with us by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com.
