January 3-5, 2021: The gibbous moon appears near Leo and Virgo in the southwest before sunrise.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
During the mornings of January 3-5, the waning moon appears in the southwest before sunrise.
Venus is low in the southeast at this time.
Read about Venus during January.
The moon appears farther eastward each morning as it approaches Venus for a picturesque pose on the morning of January 11.
Here’s what to look for each morning:
- January 3: The bright gibbous moon – nearly halfway up in the sky – is 7.2° to the upper left of the star Regulus. While the moon is bright look for the “Sickle of Leo,” a backwards question mark made of six stars to the upper right of the moon.
- January 4: Look for the bright moon – about halfway up in the sky. It is 7.9° to the lower right of Denebola, the Tail of the Lion.
- January 5: The bright moon is 6.6° to the upper right of Gamma Virginis (γ Vir on the chart.
Read more about the planets during January.
2021, December 30: Scorpion Morning Moon, Four Evening Planets
December 30, 2021: The morning crescent moon seems to be captured in the Scorpion’s pincers to the upper right of Mars. Four Evening Planets – Venus, Mercury, Saturn, and Jupiter – are in the southwest after sundown.
2021, December 28: Andromeda High in South
December 28, 2021: The Great Andromeda Galaxy is nearly overhead at the end of the evening twilight.
2021, December 29: Moon Nears Scorpion, Venus Departs
December 29, 2021: The morning crescent moon approaches Scorpius and Mars. In the evening sky, four evening planets – Venus, Mercury, Saturn, and Jupiter – are lined up in the southwest. Venus is rapidly leaving the evening sky.
2021, November 28: Evening Planets on Parade
November 28, 2021: During twilight this evening, the three bright evening planets – Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter – are on parade in the southwestern sky.
2021, December 28: Venus Slips, Mercury Hops
December 28, 2021: Brilliant Venus is quickly slipping from the evening sky. Mercury appears beneath Venus after sunset. This duo is joined by Jupiter and Saturn. In the morning, Mars is near Antares and the moon near Spica.
Categories: Astronomy, Sky Watching
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