As the New Year begins, we will be able to see all five classical planets at the same time. The last time we were able to see Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn all at once was eleven years ago when they were also visible in the sky before sunrise.
Crescent Moon and Venus at dawn above the Driftless Area in early December. Photo by Lynda Schweikert.
For the Driftless Area, around 6 am is a good time to have a look for the planets. Three things will help you tell planets from stars. Planets follow the same path as the sun across the southern sky. Planets twinkle much less than stars. Planets are brighter than most stars. You can see them with just your eyes and won’t need a telescope or binoculars.
Our moon makes an excellent guide. On December 31, the waning gibbous moon is just below Jupiter in the southwest. Each night, the moon shrinks a bit more and is found further to the east. The last quarter moon is between Jupiter and Mars on January 1 and 2. Look for the waning crescent moon just above and to the right of Mars in the south on January 3. The moon continues to wane and is found between Mars and Venus on January 4 and 5. On January 6, you’ll see a slim crescent moon just above Venus and Saturn in the southeast. Venus is the brightest object in the sky after the moon, while Saturn is dimmer and a little below and to the left of Venus. There’s another chance to see the moon, Venus, and Saturn together on January 7. Continue to watch as Venus and Saturn move closer together. They’re at their closest on January 9. After that, Saturn will be above and to the right of Venus and moving closer to Mars. Mercury joins the other four planets around January 20. Look for it below and to the left of Venus in the dawn sky. Mercury continues to get closer to Venus as January ends and should be visible until February 20.
You can enjoy an encore when the moon passes near Jupiter on January 27 and 28, Mars on January 31 and February 1, Saturn on February 3 and 4, Venus on February 5, and Mercury on February 6.
There’s also a chance to see a comet in the dawn skies of January. Comets are traditionally unpredictable, so it’s hard to say how bright Comet Catalina will be. But look for it near Arcturus on December 31. Arcturus is the bright orange star high in the southeast. By mid-January, Comet Catalina will be near the handle of the Big Dipper. Hope you enjoy the mix of the predictable and unpredictable as we being a new year.
You can enjoy some moongazing at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve on January 23, 6-8 pm. Enjoy the full moon while skiing, snowshoeing, or walking. KVR astronomy educators will have binoculars and telescopes set up along Old Highway 131 Trail for you to stop and enjoy the highlands, maria, craters, and rays of the Wolf Moon. Event is free and open to the public. Annual or day trail pass required.
John Heasley is an astronomy educator and stargazer who enjoys connecting people with the cosmos. He volunteers with NASA/JPL as a Solar System Ambassador. For more information about stargazing in southwest WI, like Driftless Stargazing LLC on Facebook and find out whenever there’s something awesome happening in the skies. Driftless Dark Skies appears monthly in the Voice of the River Valley