The Night Sky in January

Abstract

NEW moon occurs on January 3d. 12h. 30m. U.T and full moon on January 17d. 14h. 46m. The following conjunctions with the moon take place: Jan 1d. 15h., Mercury 0·2° N.; Jan. 17d. 04h., Saturi 2° S.; Jan. 17d. 07h., Mars 2° N.; Jan. 24d. 11h. Jupiter 4° S. In addition to these conjunctions with the moon, Mars is in conjunction with Saturn or Jan. 22d. 17h., Mars being 4·4° N. Occupations on stars brighter than magnitude 6 are as follows Jan. 12d. 17h. 39·1m., 147 B Aries (D); Jan. 14d 01h. 57·8m., 85 H Tauri (D); Jan. 24d. 06h. 10·4m., 80 Virgo (R). The times are for Greenwich and (D) and (R) refer to disappearance and reappearance respectively. Mercury can be seen in the morning hours, rising at 6h. 25m. and 7h. 13m. at the beginning and middle of the month. Towards the end of the month the planet rises about the time of sunrise. Venus is too close to the sun during January for good observation, rising about 20 minutes before the sun on Jan. 1 and 15 minutes after the sun on Jan. 31. Mars, in the constellation of Cancer at the beginning of January, moving later into the constellation of Gemini, rises early in the evening and is well placed for observation throughout the night. The planet is in opposition with the sun on Jan. 14. Jupiter, in the constellation of Virgo, rises at 1h. 36m. on Jan. 1 and about midnight on Jan. 31. Saturn, in the constellation of Gemini, is visible throughout the night and does not set before the late morning hours. The earth makes its closest approach to the sun on Jan. 2. The Quadrantid meteor shower occurs during the first few nights of January.