THE SOUTHWORTH PLANETARIUM
70 Falmouth Street      Portland, Maine 04103
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43.6667° N    70.2667° W  Altitude:  10 feet below sea level Founded
January 1970
2021-2022: LIX
"The Universe can take quite a while to deliver."
-Desmond Tutu

THE DAILY ASTRONOMER
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
January 2022 Night Sky Calendar Part III

*TUESDAY, JANUARY 25: LAST QUARTER MOON*

*FRIDAY, JANUARY 28: MOON NEAR ANTARES*
The waning crescent moon (12% illuminated) passes near Antares, the
brightest star in Scorpius the Scorpion. We know that the moon can appear
to pass close to the planets because they, like the moon, travel along a
band centered on the ecliptic, the Sun's annual path through the sky. Four
bright (first magnitude) stars are also close to the ecliptic and will
appear to pass close to the moon, as well. These stars are: Aldebaran (in
Taurus the Bull), Antares (in Scorpius the Scorpion), Regulus (in Leo the
Lion) and Spice (in Virgo the Maiden.)

[image: scorpius_antares-e1341173408749.jpeg]
At times, the moon will actually occult (move in front of) these stars.
 Such occultations will only be visible within a specific region on Earth.

*SATURDAY, JANUARY 29:  MOON NEAR MARS*
The waning crescent moon (9% illuminated) appears to move close to the red
planet Mars currently located in the eastern pre-dawn sky.

*SUNDAY, JANUARY 30:  MOON NEAR MERCURY*
See the waning crescent moon (4% illuminated) close to the first planet.
Both worlds will be quite low along the eastern horizon.   Look for them
both to rise just after 6 a.m.



*PLANET WATCH*

*MERCURY*
The first world vacillates this month between the western evening sky at
month's beginning to the eastern pre-dawn sky toward month's end.       As
it passes into inferior solar conjunction on Jan 9th, it won't be visible
mid-month.    VERDICT:    If you must see Mercury, venture out in very
early January and look to the west or in very late January and look to the
east.

*VENUS*
*Not visible this month!*

*MARS*
Ok.  Keep your eye on Mars this year!  Currently, the red planet lurks low
in the eastern pre-dawn sky.  Throughout most of 2022, Mars will draw
closer to Earth and will consequently become brighter.     On December 8th,
Mars will reach opposition, the time when Earth passes between it and the
Sun and will shine at its maximum brightness.   VERDICT:   You'll be able
to observe Mars all year.  This month, Mars will be somewhat difficult to
find owing to its low position in the eastern pre-dawn sky.  If you don't
want to wake up early, just wait.  Mars will become more prominent later in
2022.

*JUPITER (PICK PLANET!)*
Jupiter is the only bright planet remaining in the western evening sky.
Venus, its evening sky companion throughout the fall and early winter, has
now vanished into the dusk.   Although Jupiter is destined to go the way of
by late February, the behemoth world is still easy to find this evening!
VERDICT:  Catch it while you can!

*SATURN*
Oh, poor Saturn.  It is dimmer and lower in the sky than Jupiter. Also, it
will be exiting stage west by the third week of this month.       VERDICT:
Well, seek out Saturn early this month, but then give it a miss after mid
January.      Note: both Jupiter and Saturn will return to the early
morning spring skies!




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