In January, the sky Kwadratntydy and bright Jupiter - Polish Radio

photo: sxc.hu / cc.

In January, the sky Kwadratntydy and bright Jupiter

January preparing us a lot of attractions. They will be shooting stars and planetary attractions.

After the winter solstice the days get longer and longer. January 4 at 13 our time, the Earth will be at perihelion, or the point in its orbit nearest the sun and away from him about 147 million kilometers.

Mercury in January is on the celestial sphere very close to the Sun, and his observations are not possible. To enjoy the planet Venus best chance we have, in turn, towards the end of the month. An hour before sunrise dojrzymy it is less than 10 degrees above the southeastern horizon.

Mars can be seen in the second half of the night. It shines in the constellation Virgo. His brilliance in a month increases from 0.8 to 0.3 magnitude. This is comparable to the brightness of the brightest stars in the sky.

while January is the perfect time to enjoy Jupiter. January 5 at 22.11 planet will be in opposition. Thanks to its brightness (-2.5 mag) and angular size will be greatest. This is an excellent opportunity to observe its four largest moons of the planet, so-called. Galilean moons. With a telescope or a telescope, you can also enjoy some of the details on the face of the planet.

morning we can observe Saturn. In January, it can be seen in the constellation Libra. His brilliance is very similar to the brightness of Mars.

Uranus is in the constellation Pisces, and you can see it in the evening. Although in great condition can be see with the naked eye, to his observations better to use binoculars. Similarly, the Neptune. With binoculars you can find it in the constellation Aquarius.

In January, we can attempt to observations of the dwarf planet Ceres. You can see it in the constellation Virgo, a few dozen degrees above the spike and Mars. The brightness of Ceres in January is about 8.5 mag, so its observation we have to use binoculars.

In January, still there are good conditions for observing the comet C/2013 R1 (Lovejoy). In its observations to choose in the first decade of the month, because her radiance slowly decreases and it approaches the Sun. In the first days of January can be seen on the border of the constellation Hercules and Ophiuchus. About an hour before sunrise comet lights at about 30 degrees above the southeastern horizon. Its brilliance is about 5.5-6.0 mag, so it is visible even through small binoculars.

In the first decade of January, we can admire the meteors from one of the most interesting and active swarms sky – Kwadrantydów. The exact moment of maximum is expected on January 3 at 20:30 our time. At this time in Poland is already dark. The only problem may be the low height of the radiant above the horizon, because that’s when he is in the vicinity of pitting – low on the northern horizon. For a variety of observation encourages good layout phases of the Moon with the new moon occurring on January 1.

After the winter solstice the days get longer and longer. January 4 at 13 our time, the Earth will be at perihelion, or the point in its orbit nearest the Sun.

Mercury in January is on the celestial sphere very close to the Sun, and his observations are not possible. To enjoy the planet Venus the best chance we will have in turn at the very end of the month. An hour before sunrise dojrzymy it is less than 10 degrees above the southeastern horizon.

Mars can be seen in the second half of the night. It shines in the constellation Virgo. His brilliance in a month increases from 0.8 to 0.3 magnitude. This is comparable to the brightness of the brightest stars in the sky.

while January is the perfect time to admire Jupiter . January 5 at 22.11 planet will be in opposition. Thanks to its brightness (-2.5 mag) and angular size will be greatest. This is an excellent opportunity to observe its four largest moons of the planet, so-called. Galilean moons. With a telescope or a telescope, you can also enjoy some of the details on the face of the planet.

the morning, we can observe Saturn . In January, it can be seen in the constellation Libra. His brilliance is very similar to the brightness of Mars. Uranus is located in the constellation of Pisces, and you can see it in the evening. Although in great condition can be see with the naked eye, to his observations better to use binoculars. Similarly, the Neptune . With binoculars you can find it in the constellation Aquarius.

In January, still there are good conditions for observing the comet C/2013 R1 (Lovejoy) . In its observations to choose in the first decade of the month, because her radiance slowly decreases and it approaches the Sun. In the first days of January can be seen on the border of the constellation Hercules and Ophiuchus. About an hour before sunrise comet lights at about 30 degrees above the southeastern horizon. Its brilliance is about 5.5-6.0 mag, so it is visible even through small binoculars.

In the first decade of January, we can admire the meteors from one of the most interesting and most active swarms sky – Kwadrantydów . The exact moment of maximum is expected on January 3 at 20:30 our time. At this time in Poland is already dark. The only problem may be the low height of the radiant above the horizon, because that’s when he is in the vicinity of pitting – low on the northern horizon.

(ew / PAP-Science in Poland)