What's Up? - JANUARY 2025

Each month I highlight a few objects you can spot in the night sky without the need for optical equipment.

Welcome to the first What's Up? of 2025!

Observing the Night Sky: January 2025

January 2025 offers an enchanting array of celestial objects visible to the naked eye. As the crisp winter nights provide excellent conditions for stargazing, here's a guide to the planets and a constellation that can be observed this month, along with tips on when and where to look, and highlights of interesting astronomical events.

Visible Planets

1. Venus

• Observation Tips: Venus, known as the "Evening Star," will be prominently visible after sunset in the south western sky. It is exceptionally bright and easy to spot without any optical aids. You may have spotted it close to the Moon on the evening of the 3rd January.

  • Interesting Event: Venus and Saturn will be close together on the night of the 16th January

  
  

  Venus and Saturn close by looking south West at 18:00 on the 16th January

  

Courtesy of Stellarium

2. Mars

• Observation Tips: Look towards the East during the early evening to find Mars. It appears as a reddish dot. It will appear just below two prominent stars of the constellation Gemini - Castor and Pollux.

• Interesting Event: Mars will be near the full Moon on the 14th January.

  
  

Mars mid evening in the east close to the constellation of Gemini

Courtesy of Stellarium

3. Jupiter

• Observation Tips: Jupiter is stunning this month! It is visible in the south-eastern sky riding high above the constellation Orion. Its bright, steady glow makes it easy to identify. It is visible in the night sky all month.

• Interesting Event: Later in the month it is close to the orange-red star Aldebaran in Taurus the Bull and close to Pleiades star cluster

Jupiter close to the orange star Aldebaran and above Orion - in the south east

Courtesy of Stellarium

4. Saturn

• Observation Tips: Saturn will be visible in the early evening, low in the south western sky. It’s best to observe shortly after sunset before it sets.

• Interesting Event: Saturn will appear close to Venus mid month making it easier to locate.

Saturn close to Venus mid month in the south west early evening

Courtesy of Stellarium

5. Mercury

• Observation Tips: Mercury is too difficult to observe this month

Featured Constellation: Cassiopeia

Overview

Cassiopeia is one of the most recognizable constellations in the northern sky, easily identified by its distinctive "W" shape formed by five bright stars. It is visible throughout the year in the UK, but it appears high in the sky during January, making it a perfect winter constellation to observe.

How to Observe

• Location: Cassiopeia can be found in the northeastern sky during the early evening, moving towards the northwest as the night progresses.

• Best Time: Early evening until late night when the constellation is at its highest point in the sky.

Interesting Features

• Beta Cassiopeiae (Caph): This star marks the western end of the "W" and is a yellow-white giant, making it a prominent feature in the constellation.

• Eta Cassiopeiae: A binary star system, visible with binoculars or a small telescope, but the primary star can be seen with the naked eye.

• The Heart Nebula (IC 1805): Although not visible to the naked eye, it's worth noting that this beautiful emission nebula lies within Cassiopeia and can be a target for those with telescopes or astrophotography equipment.

The constellation of Cassiopeia in the north

Enjoy the night sky this month and let me know about your observations

Thank you for reading this blog and do let me know if there is anything you would like me to add to my Newsletter each month.

chris@galaxyonglass.com