In early January 2026, Venus and Mars will come very close to the Sun on the celestial sphere. This astronomical event is sometimes called a modern “Star of Bethlehem.” However, it will not be possible to observe it with the naked eye. Mikhail Maslov, an engineer at the Vega Observatory of Novosibirsk State University, explained why.

What Is Happening in the Sky

On January 8, Venus and Mars are expected to be in conjunction with the Sun, meaning the planets will line up with our star. The angular distance between them will be less than one degree, which is extremely small. The intense sunlight will completely overwhelm the planets, making them invisible to ground-based observers.

Maslov noted that during such a close alignment, the planets are hidden by the blinding solar disk, and without specialized instruments they cannot be distinguished.

How the Event Can Still Be Seen

The only way to observe it is through data from the SOHO space observatory (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory), a joint ESA and NASA mission operating since 1995. The spacecraft is equipped with coronagraphs that block the Sun’s direct light and allow observation of the near-solar environment.

The engineer recommended using SOHO instruments with a narrow field of view, which can show in real time how the positions of Venus and Mars change relative to the Sun. The images are available in open access on the observatory’s website, so anyone can follow the event online.

Connection to the Biblical Star of Bethlehem

The term “Star of Bethlehem” is often applied to rare astronomical phenomena that resemble the celestial sign described in the Gospel of Matthew at the birth of Jesus Christ. Recently, astronomers proposed a new hypothesis: it may have been a bright comet recorded in ancient Chinese chronicles.

The modern January conjunction is not the same event, but its proximity to Christmas according to the Julian calendar evokes such associations.

Why This Is Interesting

Such conjunctions illustrate the dynamic nature of the Solar System and remind us how bright and dominant the Sun appears in the sky. Without space-based instruments, many near-solar phenomena would remain hidden.

In Brief

On January 8, 2026, Venus and Mars will approach the Sun extremely closely, at less than one degree, which is why the “Star of Bethlehem” cannot be seen with the naked eye, as the planets are overwhelmed by solar light. The event can only be observed through data from the SOHO solar observatory, which is publicly available. This rare conjunction draws parallels with the biblical tradition, although modern astronomers tend to favor a cometary explanation for the historical Star of Bethlehem.