January Skies
A brief overview of what to see in the sky with the unaided eye during January evenings:
Stars and Constellations
● The constellations of Gemini, Orion and Canis Major are prominent in the southern and southeastern sky and are convenient to view during January evenings
● Gemini and its twin bright stars Castor and Pollux are climbing in the eastern sky after dusk (or nearly overhead later in the evening)
● Orion is in the southeastern sky, south of Gemini, and is a distinct constellation with many bright stars, particularly red-orange coloured Betelgeuse and blue-coloured Rigel
● Orion’s 3 “belt stars” are very distinctive and help to recognize the constellation
● Canis Major is south and east of Orion with the bright white-coloured star Sirius
● The winter Milky Way flows between Gemini and Orion and southward to the east of Canis Major
Planets
● Mercury, Venus and Mars are not practically visible, being close to the sun’s position in the sky. Venus reaches superior conjunction January 6, Mars passes conjunction with the sun January 9, and Mercury reaches superior conjunction January 21.
● Jupiter shines brightly in the eastern sky during January evenings in the Gemini constellation and reaches opposition January 10
● Saturn is visible low in the southwestern sky after sunset during January in the Pisces constellation
Moon Phases
● Full Moon January 3, 05:03 EST
● Last Quarter Moon January 10, 10:48 EST
● New Moon January 18, 14:52 EST
● First Quarter Moon January 25, 23:47 EST
Noteworthy Sky Events
● January 3: Earth at perihelion (closest point to the sun). Full moon close to Jupiter during early evening
● January 22-23: crescent moon close to Saturn low in the western sky during evening
Sky Resources Online
Some website resources for sky charts, weekly sky events, and more information:
● astrogeo.ca/skylights
● www.heavens-above.com
● In-the-sky.org
● www.skyandtelescope.org
● www.skymaps.com
● www.skyandtelescope.com
Monthly Sky Chart for mid-January, mid-evening (courtesy of www.heavens-above.com):
