
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.
RECENT ARTICLES

2022, June 22: Artemis, Ares Dance, Morning Planets
June 22, 2022: The thick crescent moon is near Mars in the east-southeast before sunrise. Spot the five bright planets in order from the sun before daybreak.
Keep reading
2022, June 21: Evening Planet Parade Visibility, Summer Solstice
June 21, 2022: How frequently are the five bright planets visible in their order from the sun after sundown? Five the morning planet parade in the eastern sky before sunrise.
Keep reading
2022, June 20: Morning Planet Parade Visibility
June 20, 2022: How frequently are the five bright planets visible in their order from the sun before daybreak? These planets are in this order in the eastern sky before sunrise.
Keep readingCategories: Astronomy, Sky Watching
Leave a Reply