In the Northern Hemisphere, January is typically the coldest of months. January started with an aerial spectacle with an above average Quadrantids meteor shower. The shower peaked on January 3 and the show was great as the thin crescent moon’s light did not interfere with the showers. A partial solar eclipse also occurred on January 6 and was visible in parts of eastern Asia and the northern Pacific Ocean.
A full moon or the Supermoon will be seen on January 21. The Moon will be located on the opposite side of Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated. Native American tribes called this the Full Wolf Moon because this was the time of year when hungry wolf packs howled outside their camps. This is also the first of three Supermoons for the year. The Moon will be at its closest approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than usual.
On January 21, a total lunar eclipse will occur, when the Moon passes through Earth’s dark shadow, or umbra. During this eclipse, the Moon will gradually get darker and then take on a rusty or blood red colour. The eclipse will be visible only in North America, South America, the eastern Pacific Ocean, western Atlantic Ocean, extreme western Europe, and extreme western Africa.
On January 22, look up to see the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. The two bright planets will be visible within 2.4° of each other in the early morning sky. Look for this impressive sight in the east just before sunrise.
In the night sky, Jupiter looks quite brilliant and will be visible in the mornings till early May. Also keep an eye out for Saturn in the morning from January 18. The planet shines like a yellowish-white star. The famous rings, however, will only be visible through a telescope. Right after Saturn, also look out for Uranus which will be visible in the evening sky from January. A small telescope may reveal its tiny, greenish disk. All of 2019, Neptune will be seen as a part of constellation of Aquarius and will be visible in the evening till February 19.
Begin this year’s sky-gazing excursions with the brightest of all constellations — Orion , the Hunter. It is packed with bright stars that make its human-like shape easy to spot. Four bright stars— Betelgeuse, Bellatrix, Rigel, and Saiph—mark the shoulders and knees of the Hunter, while a slanting line of three stars marks his belt.
