
The Moon takes centre stage this week — joining the Venus-Saturn conjunction, passing Neptune and Vesta, sharing a view with Jupiter and Juno, and shining close to Uranus.
The Moon takes centre stage this week — joining the Venus-Saturn conjunction, passing Neptune and Vesta, sharing a view with Jupiter and Juno, and shining close to Uranus.
Keep an eye out for a collection of about 100 young, massive hot B- and A-class stars around bright star Mirfak on January 10.
Weather permitting, January should provide skywatchers with a good to decent opportunity to view the planets this month.
On January 4, 2023, the Earth will reach perihelion, its minimum distance from the Sun for the year.
On the evening of Dec. 27, 2022, observers at mid-northern latitudes with unobstructed views to the southwest can observe the waxing crescent Moon and all of the planets.
Don’t miss the northern winter solstice, the peak moment of the Ursids meteor shower, and the spectacular flashes of colour from Sirius as it twinkles in the night sky on December 25, 2022.
The Geminids meteor shower reaches its peak, Mirfak will sparkle in binoculars, and the Hyades will reach its highest point this month.
As the temperature drops and winter approaches, take advantage of any clear skies this month to view the planets — with a hot chocolate nearby!
The full Oak Moon occults Mars during the second week of December, while Algol’s visual brightness dims and re-brightens.