Get ready for a celestial dance! On January 6, the moon will gracefully approach the brilliant star Regulus, creating a spectacular sight in the night sky. But here's where it gets fascinating: some lucky skywatchers will witness the moon completely eclipse the star's light, a phenomenon that has captivated astronomers for centuries.
The Celestron NexStar 8SE telescope is our top recommendation for capturing this event. It's an exceptional tool for astrophotography enthusiasts and deep-space observers, providing incredibly detailed images. While it comes at a higher price, the quality justifies the investment. For a comprehensive review, visit our dedicated article on the Celestron NexStar 8SE.
On the evening of January 5, look towards the eastern horizon at 8:50 p.m. local time. You'll find the waning gibbous moon, 85% illuminated, positioned about 5 degrees to the lower left of Regulus in the Leo constellation. This distance is roughly the width of your three middle fingers held at arm's length.
As the night progresses, the moon will seem to move away from Regulus, both traversing the winter sky. In the following days, the moon will journey through the Virgo constellation, leading up to its third quarter phase on January 10, when half of it will be bathed in sunlight while the other half remains in shadow.
And this is the part most people miss: viewers in eastern Europe, Asia, and the Pacific might witness a rare occurrence. The moon will pass directly in front of Regulus, causing an occultation, where the star's light is temporarily hidden. Stargazers in Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Japan, and South Korea will be among the first to see this event, according to In-The-Sky.
The reason behind these occultations is Regulus' proximity to the ecliptic, the path the sun and planets appear to follow across the sky. This alignment creates unique opportunities for celestial events.
If you're inspired to capture the beauty of the night sky, we've got you covered. Check out our guides to the best lenses and cameras for astrophotography. For those eager to explore the moon and planets in detail, our list of the top telescopes for 2026 is a must-read.
Stay tuned for the latest space news, rocket launches, and skywatching events. And if you manage to snap a photo of the moon and Regulus, we'd love to see it! Send your images, along with your name and location, to spacephotos@space.com.
Written by Anthony Wood, a passionate space enthusiast who joined Space.com in 2025, having previously written for IGN, New Atlas, and Gizmodo. He eagerly anticipates humanity's return to the moon and the wonders it will reveal.
