NASA Publishes A Few January Skywatching Tips

NASA reminds us that the moderate Quadrantid meteor shower has been active since Dec. 28 and will continue to Jan. 12. The moon will wash out faint meteors, but the shower often produces bright "fireball" meteors.

Look for brilliant Venus rising with a slim crescent moon in the southeast, in the hour before sunrise, on Monday, Jan. 8. The moon will appear very close to the bright red star Antares, appearing to pass in front of the star for observers in parts of the Western U.S. On Jan. 13 and 14, the crescent moon will be visible with Saturn for observers in the southwest for a couple of hours following sunset.

If you have access to a telescope or binoculars, January 14–20 is a great week to pull them out. The presence of the first quarter moon makes for great viewing opportunities as you sweep across the sky, exploring the Moon, then Jupiter and its moons, the Pleiades, the Hyades, and the Orion Nebula.

Remaining January Skywatching Highlights:

• January 8 –Look for brilliant Venus rising with a slim crescent Moon in the southeast, in the hour before sunrise. The Moon will appear very close to bright red star Antares, appearing to pass in front of the star for observers in parts of the Western U.S. Planet Mercury is also visible, low in the southeast, this morning.
• January 11 – New moon
• January 13 & 14 – See the crescent Moon together with Saturn. Find the pair in the southwest for a couple of hours following sunset on both nights.
• January 17 & 18 – The Moon pairs up with Jupiter, appearing high in the southwest, for two evenings.
• January 14-20 – If you have access to a telescope or binoculars, this is a great week to pull them out. The presence of the first quarter moon makes for great viewing opportunities as you sweep across the sky: exploring the Moon, then Jupiter and its moons, the Pleiades, the Hyades, and the Orion Nebula.
• January 25 – Full moon

FMI: https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/whats-up/