Our charts are principally set for the northern half of Earth. With the intention to see a exact view out of your location, attempt Stellarium Online.
Waxing crescent moon close to Jupiter
You possibly can’t miss Jupiter close to the moon on the evenings of January 25 and 26, 2023!
Jupiter is the biggest planet in our photo voltaic system. It reached opposition – when Earth flew between Jupiter and the solar – on last September 26. Whereas it’s not as vivid now because it was then, it nonetheless outshines the brightest stars at -2.1 magnitude.
Each the moon and Jupiter are within the constellation Pisces the Fish. However you’ll want a dark sky to see the faint stars of Pisces.
The moon and the planets
On January 25, the moon is a thickening waxing crescent that units after 10 p.m. native time. The following night time, a fatter waxing crescent moon continues to be near Jupiter and units round 11 p.m. native time.
As a facet be aware, the moon reaches 1st quarter at 15:19 UTC (9:19 a.m. CST) on January 28, 2023. The first quarter moon rises at midday and units about midnight.
So when you observe the moon from night time to nighttime, you’ll see it regularly go by the planets in our photo voltaic system. For example, the waning gibbous moon will likely be very near Mars on January 31, 2023.
As a matter of reality, three different planets are within the January night sky. First, search for vivid Venus and Saturn close to one another over the western horizon as nightfall turns to darkness. Nonetheless, Saturn could also be troublesome to identify within the night twilight. After which Mars is excessive within the sky within the constellation of Taurus the Bull.
Backside line: Irrespective of the place you’re on the Earth, let the waxing crescent moon be your information to the dazzling planet Jupiter on the evenings of January 25 and 26, 2023.
For more great observing events in the coming weeks, visit EarthSky’s night sky guide