BACKYARD STARGAZER: January has close Conjunctions

Francis Parnell
By Francis Parnell
In January, Venus and Saturn have a close conjunction; Venus and the Moon too!
At 7 p.m. on the 3rd, face southwest to see the lunar crescent 3 degrees upper left of brilliant Venus.
On the 4th, at 8:28 a.m., Earth is at Perihelion, 91,405,993 miles from the Sun. This is its closest point to the Sun all year. In July we’ll be at Aphelion, 94.5 million miles away from the Sun. At dusk on the 4th, and high in the south-southwest, spot the waxing crescent Moon about 3 degrees upper left of yellow Saturn.
On the night of the 13th, look east to watch the Full Wolf Moon and red Mars rise close together. The Moon will occult Mars around 9:07 eastern standard time. But start watching earlier to observe the Moon approach Mars. Binoculars or a small telescope will help to see Mars through the Moon’s glare.
All night on the 15th/16th, bright red Mars is at Opposition, 59,800,000 miles away.
At dusk on the 17th and 18th, Venus blazes in the southwest with yellow Saturn a little more than 2 degrees left and lower left on both evenings. Start observing a few days before and a few days afterwards and watch how their positions change! Celestial mechanics on display.
At dusk on the 31st, face west-southwest to see the thin waxing crescent Moon about 3 degrees lower right of Saturn. Dazzling Venus is around 12 degrees above the two.
On February 1st at dusk, a slightly fatter waxing lunar crescent is 2 degrees left of bright Venus. Use binoculars for this sight!
FAST FACT: In astronomy the word “Opposition” means that Earth has caught up with an outer planet and the planet is directly opposite the Sun in our night sky. The Sun, Earth, and in this case Mars, form a straight line. Earth catches up with Mars every 779.9 days.
“Keep looking up!”