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This illustration (made using real images and data) shows the moon in shadow during the "new moon" lunar phase.

January new moon 2020: Catch Venus, Jupiter and more in the 'moonless' night sky

By Jesse Emspak

In January, the moon will make a close approach to several planets both before and after it enters its new phase on Jan. 24, offering some fine photo opportunities in a bright winter sky.

This color photograph of Comet Kohoutek (C/1973 E1) was captured from the Catalina Observatory in Arizona, on Jan. 11, 1974.

How the 'comet of the century' became an astronomical disappointment

By Joe Rao

Christened for months as "The Comet of the Century," Comet Kohoutek never came remotely close to living up to expectations.

There's a lot going in space in 2019. Check out our up-to-date space launch schedule and calendar here!

Space Launch Calendar 2020: Sky Events, Missions & More

By Hanneke Weitering

Here's a guide to all the rocket launches and astronomical events in 2020, as well as milestones for space missions, anniversaries and conferences.

See the crescent moon form a triangle with Mars and Antares in the predawn sky on Jan. 20, 2020.

See the moon, Mars and Antares form a triangle in Monday's predawn sky

By Hanneke Weitering

The waning crescent moon will form a triangle with the Red Planet and the bright star Antares in the morning sky on Monday (Jan. 20), and you can catch the trio in the morning sky before dawn.

An airplane crosses in front of the Full Wolf Moon during the penumbral lunar eclipse on Jan. 10, 2020, in this photo taken by Stojan Stojanovski near Lake Ohrid in Macedonia.

Amazing photos: The Wolf Moon lunar eclipse of January 2020 in pictures

By Space.com Staff

See photos of the Full Wolf Moon and penumbral lunar eclipse of Jan. 10-11, 2020.

Full Moon with Airplane

2020 Full Moon Calendar

By Tim Sharp, Kimberly Hickok

The full moon happens once a month. Find out when.

This composite image shows the progression of the partial lunar eclipse in Ankara, Turkey on Jan. 10, 2020.

Wolf Moon lunar eclipse kicks off penumbral quartet for 2020 (photos)

By Elizabeth Howell

Viewers in Asia, Australia, Europe and Africa were treated to a very subtle type of eclipse Friday (Jan. 10) — a penumbral lunar eclipse that just barely darkened the moon's face.

This comparison image of the Snow Moon penumbral lunar eclipse captured by the Slooh Community Observatory on Feb. 10, 2017 shows how much of the moon was darkened during the relatively minor eclipse. The image was taken by a Slooh.com telescope in Spain's Canary Islands.

Replay! Slooh webcasts 1st penumbral lunar eclipse of 2020

By Space.com Staff

On Friday, Jan. 10, the online Slooh observatory will host a free live webcast of the first of four penumbral lunar eclipses of 2020. The live webcast begins at 2:30 p.m. EST (1930 GMT).

Supermoon

Full Moon Names (and More) for 2020

By Joe Rao

Here is a list of all the full moon names, dates and times in 2020, beginning with the "Wolf Moon" in January, to the "Cold Moon" in December.

This comparison image of the Snow Moon penumbral lunar eclipse captured by the Slooh Community Observatory on Feb. 10, 2017 shows how much of the moon was darkened during the relatively minor eclipse. The image was taken by a Slooh.com telescope in Spain's Canary Islands.

The Wolf Moon Lunar Eclipse of 2020 Occurs Today: How to Watch Online

By Tariq Malik

The first full moon of the year rises today (Jan. 10) bringing with it the first lunar eclipse of 2020 and you can watch the event live online.

The 60 Starlink broadband internet satellites of SpaceX's Starlink-2 mission are seen with the Earth as a stunning backdrop in this view from their Falcon 9 rocket second stage after a successful launch into orbit on Jan. 6, 2020.

Why SpaceX's Starlink satellites caught astronomers off guard

By Mike Wall

Nobody knew they'd be this bright.

Photographer Stojan Stojanovski captured this photo of a penumbral eclipse over Macedonia on Sept. 16, 2016.

Lunar Eclipse 2020 Guide: When, Where & How to See Them

By Doris Elin Urrutia

Four penumbral lunar eclipses will appear across Earth's skies in 2020.

Jennifer Cenker captured this photo of the penumbral lunar eclipse in Rockledge, Florida, on Feb. 10, 2017.

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse Occurs Friday: Here's What to Expect

By Joe Rao

A penumbral lunar eclipse will occur on Jan. 10-11, and it will be visible from Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. Here's what to expect.

Chris Cook captured this photo of the moon near maximum penumbral lunar eclipse on Feb. 10, 2017, from his observatory in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

January Full Moon 2020: The 'Wolf Moon' Arrives with a Lunar Eclipse

By Jesse Emspak

The full moon of January, called the Wolf Moon, will occur on Jan. 10 at 2:21 p.m. EST (1921 GMT), and it will coincide with a lunar eclipse for skywatchers in much of the world.

The 60 Starlink broadband internet satellites of SpaceX's Starlink-2 mission are seen with the Earth as a stunning backdrop in this view from their Falcon 9 rocket second stage after a successful launch into orbit on Jan. 6, 2020.

SpaceX Just Launched a Fleet of Starlink Satellites. Here's How to Spot Them in the Sky.

By Mike Wall

SpaceX just launched its latest batch of Starlink internet satellites, and you might be able to spot the craft overhead if you know where to look.

Look to the northeastern sky overnight on Jan. 3-4, 2020 for the peak of the 2020 Quadrantid meteor shower.

The 2020 Quadrantid Meteor Shower Peaks Soon. Here's What to Expect.

By Joe Rao

Early Saturday morning (Jan. 4), a strong display of Quadrantid meteors is likely for Europe and North America.

A direct-sky image of Betelgeuse, a star that is shedding its mass as it nears the end of its life.

Will Bright Star Betelgeuse Finally Explode? A Look at the Dimming Red Giant in Orion's Shoulder

By Chelsea Gohd

Betelgeuse is dimming, which could mean that it's about to explode. But scientists aren't convinced it's ready to blow.

Quadrantid meteor shower over Florida Keys

Quadrantid Meteor Shower 2020: When, Where & How to See It

By Elizabeth Howell, Hanneke Weitering

The 2020 Quadrantid meteor shower will peak overnight on Jan. 3-4, and the moon will be favorable to see the faint display of "shooting stars." Here's our guide.

As November begins, Mercury will be in the western evening sky and swinging sunward towards inferior conjunction on November 11, when the speedy planet will transit the sun. The transit will be visible in whole or in part from westernmost Russia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, South America, North America (except for the extreme north), most of the Pacific Ocean, and New Zealand. After mid-month, Mercury will return to view with an excellent morning apparition for Northern Hemisphere observers, but a poor one for the Southern Hemisphere. The planet will reach peak visibility at greatest western elongation on November 28. Viewed in a telescope during mornings in November, Mercury's disk will diminish in apparent size and wax in illuminated phase from a thin crescent to a 68% full. Over the same period, the planet will brighten. The old crescent moon will pass north of Mercury on November 24-25.

The Brightest Visible Planets in January's Night Sky: How to See them (and When)

By Joe Rao

Here's how to see planets visible in January's night sky.

Moon and Venus

When, Where and How to See the Planets in the 2020 Night Sky

By Joe Rao

Here is a guide to when certain planets will appear brightest and most visible in the 2020 night sky, including a dazzling conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on Dec. 21!