The sky on
your birthday.
“Full Moonlight” is copyrighted by Jeff Dai. NASA has permission to show it and we don't, so it isn't on this card.
See it on NASA's siteThe first Full Moon of 2026 shines brightly, occurring on January 3rd. Just hours later, Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun, called perihelion. This Full Moon was also near its perigee, its closest approach to Earth. On a clear night, the moonlight is strong enough to cast shadows.
The Sun on 3 January 2026
NASA SDO took this picture on 3 January 2026, the day itself, not a release date.
We cannot put this date's photograph on paper at poster size. We can print the nearest public archive plate to your date instead.
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Released on your day
Space pictures released on your month and day in other years, or a few days either side. Each one is sharp enough to print as a poster.
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The Sun on your day The Sun on 3 January 2026 See it as a poster -
The Earth on your day The Earth on 3 January 2026 · Empty Quarter, Arabia See it as a poster -
Released on 3 January 2006 Spirit Rover on Husband Hill See it as a poster -
Released on 3 January 2011 Stellar powerhouses in the Eagle Nebula See it as a poster -
Released on 3 January 2015 - It's a full moon as viewed from the International Space Station (ISS) on 3 January 2015 See it as a poster -
Released on 3 January 2014 Outcrop on Murray Ridge Section of Martian Crater Rim See it as a poster -
Released on 3 January 2024 The sun's glint beams off the Atlantic Ocean revealing the island country of the Republic of Cabo Verde (left) off See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 3 JAN 2026 falls under Capricorn (♑). The sign's window runs from 12-22 through 01-19. Capricorn is the dimmest zodiac constellation, but rich in deep-sky objects south of the celestial equator. The Sun was crossing this region of the sky on 3 JAN 2026.
Questions about January 3, 2026
What space photo was released on January 3, 2026?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for January 3, 2026 was "Full Moonlight". It's a photographer's copyrighted image, so we link to it on NASA's site and show the Sun or the Earth that day instead.
What was the Moon's phase on January 3, 2026?
A full moon, about 100% lit.
What day of the week was January 3, 2026?
January 3, 2026 was a Saturday, day 3 of the 365 days in 2026.
Was there a meteor shower on January 3, 2026?
Yes: the Quadrantid shower, peaks tomorrow.
What did the Sun and the Earth look like on January 3, 2026?
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory photographed the Sun that day, and NASA's Terra satellite photographed the whole Earth. Both are on this page, next to the card.
Is it free?
Yes. Seeing, sharing and downloading the card is free, and there's no account to make.