January 2025 affords a wealth of celestial wonders for stargazing and astronomy fanatics. From asteroid oppositions and conjunctions to meteor showers and planetary alignments, the evening sky guarantees charming sights. Don’t miss these alternatives to discover the cosmos and deepen your appreciation for the universe’s splendor!
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Listing of Meteor Showers in January 2025
- Antihelion Supply: Begin on December 10; a number of peaks; finish September 10.
- December Leonis Minorids: Begin on December 5; peak on December 20; finish on February 4.
- Quadrantids: Begin on December 26; peak on January 4; finish on January 12.
- γ-Ursae Minorid: Begin on January 15; peak on January 20; finish on January 25.
- α-Centaurids: Begin on January 28; peak on February 8; finish on February 21.
We even have a whole checklist of meteor showers for the complete yr of 2025 right here.
Listing of Planetary Conjunctions in January 2025
- Conjunction of the Moon and Venus in Aquarius on January 3.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Aquarius on January 4.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter in Taurus on January 10.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mars in Gemini on January 14.
- Conjunction of Venus and Saturn in Aquarius on January 20.
January 3: Asteroid 14 Irene at opposition
Asteroid 14 Irene will probably be at opposition when it lies reverse to the Solar within the sky. It’s going to attain the best level within the sky round midnight native time, no matter the place you’re on this planet.
Look within the constellation of Gemini. Irene will go inside 1.477 AU of Earth, reaching a peak brightness of magnitude 9.6. You’ll need binoculars or perhaps a telescope to watch it. Irene is a big S-type asteroid of round 152 km in diameter.
January 3: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus
The Moon and Venus will probably be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 1°26′ of one another.
Round an hour later, the 2 our bodies can even make a detailed method (appulse) reaching 1°18′ from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
Search for the 2 our bodies within the constellation of Aquarius. The Moon will probably be a really skinny waxing crescent (19%) at 4 days outdated and won’t intrude a lot with stargazing this early January 2025. Regardless of this, the Moon will nonetheless be at obvious magnitude of -10.7, whereas Venus will probably be at magnitude -4.4.
January 4: Quadrantid meteor bathe peak
The Quadrantids is among the largest meteor showers of the yr. It’s going to peak with 120 meteors per hour on common (zenithal hourly charge), assuming excellent viewing circumstances. Happily the viewing circumstances will probably be near excellent as a result of the Moon will probably be a 5 days outdated waxing crescent at 21%.
Some meteors may also be seen between December 26 and January 12, radiating from the constellation of Boötes on the common pace of 41 km/s. They originate from particles left behind by asteroid 2003 EH1.
January 4: The Earth at perihelion
On at the present time, the Earth will attain its closest level to the Solar (perihelion) in its barely elliptical orbit. We will probably be at a distance of 0.9833 AU from the Solar. The Earth’s distance solely varies by 3% over a yr.
Though not likely noticeable, the Solar will seem 3% bigger within the sky. However don’t look straight on the Solar with out defending your eyes!
January 4: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and Saturn will attain conjunction passing inside 40′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
At across the identical time the 2 our bodies can even make a detailed method (appulse) reaching 36.3 arcminutes from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension. In most of Europe and a few elements of north western Africa, western Russia, and jap Greenland this distance will probably be so shut as to result in a lunar occultation of Saturn, which means the Moon will go in entrance of Saturn thereby hiding it from view briefly.
The Moon will probably be at obvious magnitude -11.3 and Saturn at magnitude 0.9 each within the constellation of Aquarius. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Conjunction of the Moon and Venus on January 3.) The Moon will probably be 5 days outdated waxing crescent at 30%.
January 10: Shut method of the Moon and the Pleiades
The Moon and the Pleiades (also referred to as M45 or Messier 45) will make a detailed method, passing inside solely 19.2 arcminutes of one another.
Each objects will probably be within the constellation of Taurus with the Moon being at obvious magnitude -12.5 ; and the Pleiades at 1.3. The Moon will probably be 11 days outdated and waxing gibbous at 86%.
January 10: Venus at biggest jap elongation
Venus will probably be at its highest level above the horizon within the morning sky, making it one of the best time to view the planet. Search for it low within the western sky simply earlier than dawn.
It is going to be at obvious magnitude -4.4 within the constellation of Aquarius. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Conjunction of the Moon and Venus on January 3.) The Moon will probably be 11 days outdated, waxing gibbous at 88%.
January 10: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
The Moon and Jupiter will probably be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 5°25′ of one another.
At across the identical time the 2 our bodies can even make a detailed method (appulse) reaching 5°21′ from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
The 2 celestial our bodies will meet within the constellation Taurus with the Moon at obvious magnitude of -12.6 and Jupiter at -2.7. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the shut method of the Moon and the Pleiades on January 10.) The Moon will probably be 11 days outdated and waxing gibbous at 92%.
January 12: Mars at perigee
Mars will attain perigee, which implies it is going to be closest to us at a distance of 0.64 AU. This might be one of the best time to watch the crimson planet. Within the subsequent few days, Mars can even be at opposition.
The planet will probably be within the constellation of Most cancers at obvious magnitude of -1.4. The Moon will probably be 13 days outdated and waxing gibbous at 99%, only a day away from full moon.
January 13: Asteroid 887 Alinda at opposition
Asteroid 887 Alinda will probably be at opposition when it lies reverse to the Solar within the sky. It’s going to attain the best level within the sky round midnight native time, no matter the place you’re on this planet. Alinda is a small near-Earth asteroid (4.2 km in diameter) with a really eccentric orbit.
Look within the constellation of Gemini. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing asteroid 14 Irene at opposition on January 3.) Alinda will go inside 0.086 AU of Earth, reaching a peak brightness of magnitude 9.2. You’ll need a telescope to watch it. Sadly the Moon will intrude loads with stargazing this center of January 2025 as it’s on the full moon section.
January 13: Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) at perigee and perihelion
The comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) will attain perigee, which means it should attain the closest level in its orbit to the Earth at a distance of 0.94 AU.
At about the identical time the comet can even attain perihelion, which means it should attain the closest level in its orbit to the Solar at a distance of 0.09 AU.
It’s going to have an obvious magnitude of -7.1 in accordance with the BAA Comet Section, so seen to the bare eye. Look within the constellation of Sagittarius.
January 14: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars
The Moon and Mars will probably be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 13′ of one another.
Across the identical time, the 2 our bodies can even make a detailed method (appulse) reaching 13.2 arcminutes from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension. In most of North America, a stretch of the Atlantic, and north western Africa this distance will probably be so shut as to result in a lunar occultation of Mars, which means the Moon will go in entrance of Mars thereby hiding it from view briefly.
Search for the 2 our bodies within the constellation of Gemini. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing asteroid 14 Irene at opposition on January 3.) The Moon will probably be at obvious magnitude of -12.7, whereas Mars will probably be at magnitude -1.4. The Moon will probably be waning gibbous (99%) at 15 days outdated.
January 16: Mars at opposition
Mars will probably be at opposition when it lies reverse to the Solar within the sky. It’s going to attain the best level within the sky round midnight native time, no matter the place you’re on this planet.
As a result of Mars was lately at perigee on January 12, it’s nonetheless close to its closest to Earth making it bigger than traditional (with an obvious magnitude of -1.4) and thus a great time to watch the planet. With a great telescope you can see lots of particulars on the crimson planet. Look within the constellation of Gemini. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing asteroid 14 Irene at opposition on January 3.) The Moon will probably be waning gibbous (92%) at 17 days outdated.
January 18: Shut method of Venus and Saturn
Venus and Saturn will make a detailed method, passing inside 2°10′ of one another. Each planets will probably be within the constellation of Aquarius with Venus being at obvious magnitude -4.5 ; and Saturn at 1.0. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Conjunction of the Moon and Venus on January 3.) The Moon will probably be 19 days outdated and waning gibbous at 73%.
January 20: γ-Ursae Minorid meteor bathe peak
The Gamma Ursae Minorids are a small meteor bathe with 3 meteors on common throughout the peak if circumstances are excellent, which sadly received’t be the case because of the Moon being 20 days outdated and waning gibbous at 69%.
Some meteors may be noticed between January 15 and 25. They may seem to radiate from the constellation of Ursa Minor on the common pace of 31 km/s.
January 20: Conjunction of Venus and Saturn
Venus and Saturn will attain conjunction passing inside 2°31′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
Venus will probably be at obvious magnitude -4.5 and Saturn at magnitude 1.0 each within the constellation of Aquarius. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Conjunction of the Moon and Venus on January 3.) The 2 planets will probably be too broadly separated to suit inside the discipline of view of a telescope, however will match with binoculars. The Moon will probably be 21 days outdated waning gibbous at 60%.
January 30: Uranus ends retrograde movement
Uranus will finish retrograde movement, which implies it should cease touring westward by the constellations and as an alternative return to the extra traditional eastward movement as an alternative. All the outer planets within the photo voltaic system periodically expertise this orientation reversal, which happens a couple of months earlier than they attain opposition.
Historic observers had been troubled by retrograde movement as a result of it didn’t match with their perception in uniform round orbits across the Earth. The phenomenon is definitely because of Earth’s orbit across the Solar, which shifts our perspective and causes planets to seem to maneuver backwards and forwards within the sky whereas persevering with their total eastward path by the constellations.
Uranus will be noticed within the constellation of Aries with an obvious magnitude of 5.7. Happily the Moon is not going to intrude a lot with stargazing this finish of January 2025 as it is going to be a in the future outdated waxing crescent at 3%.
January 30: Beehive Cluster at its highest level within the sky
The Beehive Cluster (see featured picture on the prime of the article) will attain its highest level within the sky at round midnight native time, making it a great time to watch it. At an obvious magnitude of three.1, it is vitally exhausting to identify with the bare eye, so binoculars or a telescope are really helpful. Look within the constellation of Most cancers. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Mars at perigee on January 12.)
The Beehive Cluster is also referred to as Praesepe (manger or crib in Latin) in addition to underneath the designations of M44, Messier 44, NGC 2632, or Cr 189. It has been identified since antiquity and Ptolemy talked about it in his writings.
It’s an open cluster about 610 light-years away together with a couple of thousand stars. Apparently two exoplanets have been discovered in this cluster in 2012.
Moon Phases in January 2025
As you recognize, the Moon has a huge impact on the visibility of celestial our bodies and astronomical occasions within the evening sky. So that can assist you with stargazing, right here’s a calendar of the phases of Moon for this month of January 2025:
Positions of the Planets in January 2025
- Mercury: The closest planet to the Solar will be seen at daybreak and nightfall travelling throughout the constellation of Ophiuchus. This planet, being the closest to the Solar, will seem to maneuver shortly within the evening sky and its place will change within the following weeks.
- Venus: The sister planet will be seen travelling throughout the constellation of Aquarius. Similar to Mercury, Venus can solely be seen at daybreak and nightfall.
- Mars: The crimson planet will be seen within the constellation of Most cancers later within the month.
- Jupiter: The gasoline large is seen within the constellation of Taurus. Jupiter can simply be noticed with the bare eye, even in extremely illuminated cities.
- Saturn: The ringed large will be seen with the bare eye within the constellation of Aquarius.
- Uranus: The ice large will be seen within the constellation of Taurus after which Aries with the usage of a telescope.
- Neptune: The blue large requires a telescope pointed within the constellation of Pisces with a view to be seen.
Positions of Dwarf Planets and Massive Asteroids in January 2025
- Ceres: The asteroid belt’s lone dwarf planet will be seen within the constellation of Capricornus with the assistance of a telescope.
- Vesta: This huge asteroid will be seen within the constellation of Virgo with a telescope.
- Pallas: The asteroid will be noticed with a telescope within the constellation of Serpens.
- Hygiea: The fourth largest asteroid will be discovered with a telescope within the constellation of Pisces.
- Pluto: This distant dwarf planet will be discovered within the constellation of Capricornus with the assistance of a big telescope.
Main astronomical occasions subsequent month – February 2025
- February 4: Jupiter ends retrograde movement
- February 8: α-Centaurids meteor bathe peak
- February 12: Asteroid 29 Amphitrite at opposition
- February 24: Mars ends retrograde movement
Conclusion
As you possibly can see, January 2025 is filled with stargazing highlights for astronomy lovers, together with meteor showers, asteroid oppositions, and beautiful planetary alignments. To make sure you don’t miss out on any celestial happenings, join our e-newsletter to obtain stargazing calendars and extra updates. Clear skies!
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