Why not start 2023 with a bit of astronomy? No need for a sophisticated instrument to take advantage of the many phenomena visible in January. Your eyes are enough.
2022 was rich in emotion for astronomers, who will no doubt not forget the 9 space adventures (James Webb, Moon, black holes, etc.) of the year. 2023 also promises to be busy, with the Moon remaining the focus. Astronomical observations can also resume from the first days of this month of January.
Here are precisely the astronomical phenomena to admire in the sky in January 2023 – even without an astronomical instrument (reflecting telescope, telescope).
Moon phases in January
You can start the new year with a simple resolution: observe the Moon more often. With the naked eye or binoculars, you can already see a lot of formations on its surface, like impact craters.
To follow the evolution of the Moon, we speak of phases. The Moon itself does not change, it is simply the portion illuminated by the Sun that varies from our point of view.
- the saturday 7 january, it is the full moon. Its entire visible face is illuminated by the Sun.
- the Sunday January 15, this is the phase of the last quarter. We can also say that the Moon is in western quadrature. Or, more simply, that we see a half moon.
- the saturday 21 january, it is the moment of the new Moon. As it lies between the Earth and the Sun, it cannot be seen in the sky.
- Then the saturday 28 january, we find a half-moon, with the phase of the first quarter. This time, the Moon is in eastern quadrature.
Planets visible to the naked eye in January
All the planets of the solar system visible to the naked eye are observable in January 2023. The following table indicates in which constellations to locate them, and at which times.
| Mercury | Venus | March | Jupiter | Saturn | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From 1 to 8 | invisible | 5:10 p.m. – 5:50 p.m. Capricorn | 5:10 p.m. – 5:40 a.m. Taurus | 5:10 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Pisces | 5:10 p.m. – 7:50 p.m. Capricorn |
| From 9 to 15 | 8:30 a.m. – 8:40 a.m. Sagittarius | 5:20 p.m. – 6:10 p.m. Capricorn | 5:20 p.m. – 5:10 a.m. Taurus | 5:20 p.m. – 11 p.m. Pisces | 5:20 p.m. – 7:20 p.m. Capricorn |
| From 16 to 22 | 7:50 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Sagittarius | 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Capricorn | 5:30 p.m. – 4:50 a.m. Taurus | 5:30 p.m. – 10:40 p.m. Pisces | 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Capricorn |
| From 23 to 29 | 7:50 a.m. – 8:20 a.m. Sagittarius | 5:40 – 6:50 p.m. Aquarius | 5:40 p.m. – 4:20 a.m. Taurus | 5:40 p.m. – 10:20 p.m. Pisces | 5:40 p.m. – 6:40 p.m. Capricorn |
| From 30 to 31 | 7:50 a.m. – 8:10 a.m. Sagittarius | 5:50 – 7:20 p.m. Aquarius | 5:50 p.m. – 4 a.m. Taurus | 5:50 p.m. – 10 p.m. Pisces | 5:50 p.m. – 6:10 p.m. Capricorn |
Other astronomical phenomena
There are still other notable astronomical phenomena to see in January 2023.
- the Tuesday, January 3, the gibbous Moon approaches Mars. Spectators from the southern hemisphere even attend an occultation of Mars — in metropolitan France, we had already seen a superb occultation of Mars on December 8, 2022.
- the Wednesday January 4the Earth passes through perihelion, 5:17 p.m.. There is no celestial spectacle to observe. On the other hand, you can remember that the distance between the Earth and the Sun is then minimal — 147,098,924.694 km.
- the Sunday January 22Venus and Saturn are in conjunction just after sunset.
- The day after, monday january 23you can see a thin lunar crescent.
- Then the tuesday january 24conditions are ideal for seeing earthshine.
- the Wednesday January 25the Moon is close to Jupiter.
- the saturday 28 januarywatch Venus, Jupiter, the Moon and Mars come together in the evening.
- The day after, monday january 30the Moon, Mars and the star Aldebaran (the brightest in the constellation of Taurus) form a pretty celestial triangle.
It only remains for us to wish you beautiful observations of the sky in January (and mild weather) to start 2023 well!
