In 2026, space exploration will capture global attention with historic milestones and celestial events. NASA’s Artemis II mission, planned for February, will send astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day loop around the moon, marking the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years. Later, a total solar eclipse on August 12 will traverse the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and parts of Europe, drawing cruise ship enthusiasts, while a partial eclipse will be visible in New England. Additionally, multiple robotic lunar landings under NASA’s CLPS program aim to advance science and prepare for future human missions. https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/top-space-and-astronomy-stories-to-watch-in-2026/1846932

The week features mostly cool, damp weather with intermittent showers. Sunday brings morning rain tapering to scattered showers, highs around 54°F, and light winds. Occasional showers and clouds persist into Sunday night. Monday through Wednesday sees periodic morning showers with partial afternoon clearing, highs in the low 50s, and light, variable winds. Nights are mostly cloudy with lows in the mid-40s, dipping to the upper 30s by Saturday. Thursday and Friday remain mostly cloudy with scattered showers. The weekend trends drier, with Saturday mostly sunny and cooler, offering clearer skies and highs near 50°F. https://www.kcra.com/weather

This week’s sky events feature stunning lunar and planetary sights. A full Moon appears near Jupiter, Castor, and Pollux on January 2–3, coinciding with the Quadrantid meteor shower, though moonlight will hinder viewing. Jupiter dominates the night sky, with its Great Red Spot and moon transits visible almost nightly, culminating in its opposition on January 10, when it rises at sunset and spans 47 arcseconds. The Little Dipper hangs straight down, while Orion and Sirius brighten evenings. Saturn sets earlier in the southwest, Uranus is near the Pleiades, and Neptune lingers above Saturn as winter constellations sparkle in January’s chill. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-january-2-11/

The upcoming week will feature mostly cloudy skies with intermittent showers. Sunday begins partly cloudy, becoming overcast by afternoon with a high near 58°F, and rain is possible overnight. Monday remains cool around 55°F with light winds and evening showers. Tuesday and Wednesday are mostly cloudy, with highs in the mid-50s and occasional brief sunshine. Showers return Wednesday night into Thursday, continuing off and on through Friday, with temperatures remaining in the low to mid-50s. The weekend brings scattered showers early Saturday, clearing to partly cloudy later, with lows around 42°F and highs dipping to the upper 40s. https://www.kcra.com/weather

This week’s night sky highlights a series of Moon events and bright planet views. On December 26, the Moon and Saturn appear unusually close, separated by only 3 °. The first-quarter Moon on the 27th rises near Saturn, while Orion and Sirius dominate the southeastern sky. As the Moon waxes through December 28–30, it passes Mare Imbrium, Copernicus, and the Pleiades. Jupiter brightens the eastern sky near year’s end, forming the Winter Triangle with Sirius and Betelgeuse. A full Moon on January 2 coincides with Jupiter’s Great Red Spot transits. Early January also brings the Quadrantid meteor shower, though moonlight hampers viewing. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-december-26-january-4/

The article traces New Year’s resolutions back to the Babylonian festival of Akitu, where participants made pledges for the new year. Different cultures, such as the Romans and the Irish, developed their own customs for resolving disputes. Over time, the tradition evolved, with early American Puritans focusing on self-improvement. Despite only about 36% of people maintaining their resolutions today, the quest for self-betterment remains a universal aspect of human nature. https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/the-ancient-origins-of-new-years-resolutions-and-how-the-tradition-has-changed/1729042

Christmas Eve, celebrated on December 24th, is traditionally considered the night before Christmas Day and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. This night has been associated with religious observance and anticipation. Historically, it involves a range of traditions and customs derived from both Christian and pagan rituals. In Christianity, it marks the time when many believers attend midnight Mass or other church services to celebrate Jesus's birth. Additionally, Christmas Eve includes cultural practices such as family gatherings, gift exchanges, and festive meals, which have evolved over centuries from various European customs. These celebrations are infused with anticipation and joy, reflecting both religious devotion and secular festivity. Merry Christmas! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Eve

The week ahead will be mostly cloudy and damp, with frequent showers and cool temperatures. Sunday starts overcast, with rain likely continuing through the night. From Monday to Thursday, expect persistent clouds and scattered showers, with daytime highs in the low to mid-50s and nighttime lows in the upper 40s to low 50s. Winds remain generally light to moderate, often from the south or southeast, and rain chances hover around 50–60%. Friday brings morning showers tapering to lighter rain, while Saturday offers a brief break with partly cloudy skies before occasional showers return by nightfall. Merry Christmas! https://www.kcra.com/weather

This week’s night sky highlights include bright Jupiter rising in the east-northeast shortly after dark, shining brilliantly as it moves retrograde toward its January 10 opposition. Sirius and Procyon appear in the evening, with their relative heights varying by latitude. Winter begins on December 21 with the solstice, bringing the longest nights. The crescent Moon traverses the evening sky, joining Saturn for a close conjunction on December 26, and reaches first quarter on the 27th. Orion, Aldebaran with the Hyades, and the Pleiades dominate the east. Saturn remains bright with nearly edge-on rings, while Uranus and Neptune are evening telescope targets. Merry Christmas! https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-december-19-28/

The week ahead features mostly cloudy and damp conditions with light, variable winds. Sunday starts with morning showers tapering off by afternoon, with highs near 50°F. Rain continues intermittently through Sunday night and into Monday, with skies remaining overcast and highs around 55°F. From Tuesday to Wednesday, expect mostly cloudy skies with occasional light showers, with highs in the mid to upper 50s. Thursday brings partial clearing before some overnight showers, followed by a mix of sun and clouds on Friday. The week wraps up with increasing rain chances Saturday into Saturday night, with highs in the mid-50s and lows in the upper 40s. https://www.kcra.com/weather