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Jupiter is visible this evening in the eastern sky as seen in this 30-second exposure at 6:10 p.m. CST from the Chicago area. (Click the image to see it larger.) This giant planet is in front of the stars of Taurus with its brightest star Aldebaran. The Hyades star cluster is nearby and an excellent binocular target. The Pleiades star cluster, another excellent view through binoculars, appears above Jupiter. Elnath represents one of the bull’s horns. Capella (Auriga) is also visible in this view.
During the night, Jupiter appears farther south toward midnight and in the west during early morning hours. It sets well before sunrise.
For more about the sky this month, see our January 2013 skywatching posting.