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Editors of EarthSky

New Year’s Star Sirius, the moon and Jupiter ring in 2026

Entertain your friends on New Year's Eve by showing them the New Year's Star, the soon-to-be full supermoon and Jupiter. Sirius is highest at midnight.

Why does the New Year begin on January 1?

Why does the New Year begin on January 1? The tradition stems from the festival of Janus, the Roman god of past and future.

Earth at perihelion – closest to sun – on January 3

Every year in early January, Earth reaches its closest point to the sun in an event called perihelion. In 2026, it's on January 3.

Latest sunrises late December and early January

Did you know the latest sunrises don’t occur on the shortest day, and the latest sunsets don’t fall on the longest day of the year?

Solstices and equinoxes seen from space

See how sunlight falls on Earth's surface during the solstices and equinoxes, and get a better understanding of why Earth's tilt causes the seasons.

Interstellar object Comet 3I/ATLAS leaving the solar system

Interstellar object Comet 3I/ATLAS makes it closest pass by Earth today (December 19, 2025). How close will it come? And where will it go after this?

Year’s shortest season to start at December solstice

The year's shortest season - between the December solstice and March equinox - is about 89 days. It's 5 days shorter than the longest season.

What’s a green flash and how can I see one?

Have you ever seen the green flash from a setting sun? Learn how to see one here, plus how they appear, and enjoy some great photos and watch a video!

The Wright brothers succeeded 122 years ago

The Wright brothers made aviation history on December 17, 1903, taking humanity’s 1st powered flight into the skies at Kitty Hawk.

Schedar shines brightly at the Queen’s heart

Schedar is the brightest star in the distinctive W-shaped northern constellation Cassiopeia and is visible most of the year from northern latitudes.