This is for the astronomer in all of us or the aspiring astro-physicist. Compared to areas near Boston or New Bedford, generally speaking, the tri-town has pretty good dark skies. We are very fortunate in that regard. Though we can’t normally make out the Milky Way’s signature glow, we can still spot a lot. This month has already brought with it some great stellar sights. The new year has already brought with it the Quadrantids meteor shower and recently all planets you can see with your naked eye out and dazzling. That’s Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
These four planets will be in a line in the sky. From east to west, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus. Aside from planets, you can also see the Andromeda Galaxy. With your eyes, if your eyesight is good, it will look like a fuzzy star. Seeing it with a telescope is a must at least once in your life. It’s two-and-a-half million light years away, meaning the light you see when you look at it left that galaxy that many years ago. The Orion Nebula will also be bright and easy to spot within its constellation.
On January 10, Venus will reach its “greatest eastern elongation.” This puts it at its highest point in its arch above the horizon and in the best spot for viewing with your eyes, binoculars, or a telescope if you’re so lucky. The yellow-ish bright star is the one. The planet will be visible after sunset but soon after follows the sun below the horizon.
On January 13, the next full moon will occur. It’s known as the “Wolf Moon,” “Center Moon,” “Old Moon,” “Moon After Yule,” and many more regional names.
On January 16, Mars will be closest to Earth in its orbit with the side facing us being nearly fully illuminated. If you look with a telescope, you can make out its white polar caps. Its red glow makes it easy to differentiate against its stellar neighbors. It’s no wonder so many cultures, including that which we derive its name from, associated it with battle and aggression. Mars, god of war.
On January 29, the next new moon. It will not be visible at night, though this will leave a darker sky, letting you see other astronomical objects easier.
There are plenty of apps, websites, and other resources you can use to make your cosmic journey easier. NASA offers satellite tracking too, so you can await the ISS on its flyovers.
The trouble this month won’t be seeing things in the night sky; it will be not freezing doing so.
Astronomy Update for January
By Sam Bishop