The Moon is new today, meaning the sky will be good and dark. This is just as well as there\u2019s a lot to see, including two reasonably bright comets; C\/2019 L3 Atlas and 19P\/Borrelly. <\/p>\n\n
Wednesday 2<\/h5>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dj9jqhxgw9833.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/01\/7IT8936CM22HU3KH70Z74KYHURL9-1024x527.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\nThis evening a slender 3%-lit waxing crescent Moon can be seen below mag. \u20131.9 Jupiter. Look for them just after sunset low above the west-southwest horizon.
Comet 19P\/Borrelly reaches perihelion and is expected to appear around mag. +7.9.<\/p>\n\n
Thursday 3<\/h5>\n\n
The mag. +8.0 planet Neptune appears 1.4 arcminutes to the north of mag. +6.3 HIP 115953.<\/p>\n\n
Friday 4<\/h5>\n\n
With the Moon in its early waxing phase and setting just after 21:00 UT, this evening is a great time to attempt our \u2018Deep-sky tour\u2019 on page 56, focusing on the area around the Sickle asterism in the constellation of Leo, the Lion.<\/p>\n\n
Saturday 5<\/h5>\n\n
Minor planet 20 Massalia reaches opposition at mag. +8.5. Massalia is currently located in Cancer, the Crab, beginning its monthly track near mag. +5.4 Pi (\u03c0) Cancri. <\/p>\n\n
Sunday 6<\/h5>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dj9jqhxgw9833.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/01\/24M7RUK3LAS2P71U921WV63O37UP-672x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nThe libration seas \u2013 Mare Smythii and Mare Marginis \u2013 can be seen near the Moon\u2019s eastern limb at the moment. As they are so close to the limb, the libration (the Moon\u2019s rocking motion) and phase has to be favourable to see them properly.<\/p>\n\n
Monday 7<\/h5>\n\n
This evening\u2019s 43%-lit waxing crescent Moon sits 1.5\u02da to the south of Uranus. Mag. +5.8 Uranus is currently paired up with 29 Arietis, the mag. +6.0 star appearing 24.5 arcminutes north of the planet.<\/p>\n\n
Tuesday 8<\/h5>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dj9jqhxgw9833.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/01\/UX5NZC5TPJ3I9171BA44501ZXKM1-1019x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nThe popular clair-obscur effects known as the Lunar X and V will appear at 17:52 UT on the Moon\u2019s terminator.
Lunar crater Walther also sits on the terminator this evening. <\/p>\n\n
Thursday 10<\/h5>\n\n
Minor planet 11 Parthenope reaches opposition at mag. +10.0 today. Parthenope is currently located in Leo, the Lion, just west of the Sickle asterism.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday 16<\/h5>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dj9jqhxgw9833.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/01\/P154VZ5F0PZ4XQ1I295M591NJ1IP-1007x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nMercury reaches greatest western elongation, appearing separated from the Sun by 26.3\u00b0 in the morning sky. The planet shines at mag. +0.1 and rises an hour before the Sun.<\/p>\n\n
Friday 18<\/h5>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dj9jqhxgw9833.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/01\/4T65K3QQN8JA7PV59X5SMR3C040C-1024x973.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nMag. \u20134.5 Venus and mag. +1.3 Mars are 6.1\u00b0 apart this morning. Catch them low above the southeast horizon from approximately 1 hour before sunrise.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday 23<\/h5>\n\n
Look at the region between Leo and Bo\u00f6tes around midnight to spot a faint, triangular shimmer of stars about 4\u00b0, or 8 apparent Moon diameters, in height. This is the open cluster Melotte 111.<\/p>\n\n
Thursday 24<\/h5>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dj9jqhxgw9833.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/01\/520T6E14OADVW44PURI51K13AEN7-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nThe underrated open cluster M35 in Gemini, the Twins, reaches its highest position in the sky, due south at 20:00 UT. With the Moon out of the way this is a great time to view it.<\/p>\n\n
Friday 25<\/h5>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dj9jqhxgw9833.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/01\/U2V5V4UIW1R7JL434MHV70FQZ0A5-1024x828.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nMinor planet 471 Papagena is at opposition, located in Leo, the Lion.
The lunar crater Copernicus can be seen next to the terminator on this morning\u2019s Moon.<\/p>\n\n
Saturday<\/strong> 26<\/h5>\n\nOften overshadowed by its brighter sky neighbour Sirius (Alpha (\u03b1) Canis Majoris), Mirzam (Beta (\u03b2) Canis Majoris) marks the front leg of the Great Dog, Canis Major. It is February\u2019s \u2018Star of the Month\u2019.<\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 27<\/h5>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dj9jqhxgw9833.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/01\/95c8d9ac-8117-462e-b61e-d34e6291ae47.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nSpot a morning grouping of Venus, Mars and the Moon. F ind mag. \u20134.5 Venus in the d awn sky, with mag. +1.3 Mars 5 .3\u00b0 below it. The 15%-lit waning crescent Moon is 4.8\u02da to the south of the Red Planet.<\/p>\n\n
Monday<\/strong> 28<\/h5>\n\nA clear sky and binoculars will give you a breathtaking view of the Beehive Cluster, M44, at the heart of Cancer, the Crab. Catch it near its highest position in the sky, due south, around 22:00 UT.<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\nThis evening a slender 3%-lit waxing crescent Moon can be seen below mag. \u20131.9 Jupiter. Look for them just after sunset low above the west-southwest horizon.
Comet 19P\/Borrelly reaches perihelion and is expected to appear around mag. +7.9.<\/p>\n\n
Thursday 3<\/h5>\n\n
The mag. +8.0 planet Neptune appears 1.4 arcminutes to the north of mag. +6.3 HIP 115953.<\/p>\n\n
Friday 4<\/h5>\n\n
With the Moon in its early waxing phase and setting just after 21:00 UT, this evening is a great time to attempt our \u2018Deep-sky tour\u2019 on page 56, focusing on the area around the Sickle asterism in the constellation of Leo, the Lion.<\/p>\n\n
Saturday 5<\/h5>\n\n
Minor planet 20 Massalia reaches opposition at mag. +8.5. Massalia is currently located in Cancer, the Crab, beginning its monthly track near mag. +5.4 Pi (\u03c0) Cancri. <\/p>\n\n
Sunday 6<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThe libration seas \u2013 Mare Smythii and Mare Marginis \u2013 can be seen near the Moon\u2019s eastern limb at the moment. As they are so close to the limb, the libration (the Moon\u2019s rocking motion) and phase has to be favourable to see them properly.<\/p>\n\n
Monday 7<\/h5>\n\n
This evening\u2019s 43%-lit waxing crescent Moon sits 1.5\u02da to the south of Uranus. Mag. +5.8 Uranus is currently paired up with 29 Arietis, the mag. +6.0 star appearing 24.5 arcminutes north of the planet.<\/p>\n\n
Tuesday 8<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThe popular clair-obscur effects known as the Lunar X and V will appear at 17:52 UT on the Moon\u2019s terminator.
Lunar crater Walther also sits on the terminator this evening. <\/p>\n\n
Thursday 10<\/h5>\n\n
Minor planet 11 Parthenope reaches opposition at mag. +10.0 today. Parthenope is currently located in Leo, the Lion, just west of the Sickle asterism.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday 16<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nMercury reaches greatest western elongation, appearing separated from the Sun by 26.3\u00b0 in the morning sky. The planet shines at mag. +0.1 and rises an hour before the Sun.<\/p>\n\n
Friday 18<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nMag. \u20134.5 Venus and mag. +1.3 Mars are 6.1\u00b0 apart this morning. Catch them low above the southeast horizon from approximately 1 hour before sunrise.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday 23<\/h5>\n\n
Look at the region between Leo and Bo\u00f6tes around midnight to spot a faint, triangular shimmer of stars about 4\u00b0, or 8 apparent Moon diameters, in height. This is the open cluster Melotte 111.<\/p>\n\n
Thursday 24<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThe underrated open cluster M35 in Gemini, the Twins, reaches its highest position in the sky, due south at 20:00 UT. With the Moon out of the way this is a great time to view it.<\/p>\n\n
Friday 25<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nMinor planet 471 Papagena is at opposition, located in Leo, the Lion.
The lunar crater Copernicus can be seen next to the terminator on this morning\u2019s Moon.<\/p>\n\n
Saturday<\/strong> 26<\/h5>\n\nOften overshadowed by its brighter sky neighbour Sirius (Alpha (\u03b1) Canis Majoris), Mirzam (Beta (\u03b2) Canis Majoris) marks the front leg of the Great Dog, Canis Major. It is February\u2019s \u2018Star of the Month\u2019.<\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 27<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nSpot a morning grouping of Venus, Mars and the Moon. F ind mag. \u20134.5 Venus in the d awn sky, with mag. +1.3 Mars 5 .3\u00b0 below it. The 15%-lit waning crescent Moon is 4.8\u02da to the south of the Red Planet.<\/p>\n\n
Monday<\/strong> 28<\/h5>\n\nA clear sky and binoculars will give you a breathtaking view of the Beehive Cluster, M44, at the heart of Cancer, the Crab. Catch it near its highest position in the sky, due south, around 22:00 UT.<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure>\n\nThe libration seas \u2013 Mare Smythii and Mare Marginis \u2013 can be seen near the Moon\u2019s eastern limb at the moment. As they are so close to the limb, the libration (the Moon\u2019s rocking motion) and phase has to be favourable to see them properly.<\/p>\n\n
Monday 7<\/h5>\n\n
This evening\u2019s 43%-lit waxing crescent Moon sits 1.5\u02da to the south of Uranus. Mag. +5.8 Uranus is currently paired up with 29 Arietis, the mag. +6.0 star appearing 24.5 arcminutes north of the planet.<\/p>\n\n
Tuesday 8<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThe popular clair-obscur effects known as the Lunar X and V will appear at 17:52 UT on the Moon\u2019s terminator.
Lunar crater Walther also sits on the terminator this evening. <\/p>\n\n
Thursday 10<\/h5>\n\n
Minor planet 11 Parthenope reaches opposition at mag. +10.0 today. Parthenope is currently located in Leo, the Lion, just west of the Sickle asterism.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday 16<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nMercury reaches greatest western elongation, appearing separated from the Sun by 26.3\u00b0 in the morning sky. The planet shines at mag. +0.1 and rises an hour before the Sun.<\/p>\n\n
Friday 18<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nMag. \u20134.5 Venus and mag. +1.3 Mars are 6.1\u00b0 apart this morning. Catch them low above the southeast horizon from approximately 1 hour before sunrise.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday 23<\/h5>\n\n
Look at the region between Leo and Bo\u00f6tes around midnight to spot a faint, triangular shimmer of stars about 4\u00b0, or 8 apparent Moon diameters, in height. This is the open cluster Melotte 111.<\/p>\n\n
Thursday 24<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThe underrated open cluster M35 in Gemini, the Twins, reaches its highest position in the sky, due south at 20:00 UT. With the Moon out of the way this is a great time to view it.<\/p>\n\n
Friday 25<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nMinor planet 471 Papagena is at opposition, located in Leo, the Lion.
The lunar crater Copernicus can be seen next to the terminator on this morning\u2019s Moon.<\/p>\n\n
Saturday<\/strong> 26<\/h5>\n\nOften overshadowed by its brighter sky neighbour Sirius (Alpha (\u03b1) Canis Majoris), Mirzam (Beta (\u03b2) Canis Majoris) marks the front leg of the Great Dog, Canis Major. It is February\u2019s \u2018Star of the Month\u2019.<\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 27<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nSpot a morning grouping of Venus, Mars and the Moon. F ind mag. \u20134.5 Venus in the d awn sky, with mag. +1.3 Mars 5 .3\u00b0 below it. The 15%-lit waning crescent Moon is 4.8\u02da to the south of the Red Planet.<\/p>\n\n
Monday<\/strong> 28<\/h5>\n\nA clear sky and binoculars will give you a breathtaking view of the Beehive Cluster, M44, at the heart of Cancer, the Crab. Catch it near its highest position in the sky, due south, around 22:00 UT.<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure>\n\nThe popular clair-obscur effects known as the Lunar X and V will appear at 17:52 UT on the Moon\u2019s terminator.
Lunar crater Walther also sits on the terminator this evening. <\/p>\n\n
Thursday 10<\/h5>\n\n
Minor planet 11 Parthenope reaches opposition at mag. +10.0 today. Parthenope is currently located in Leo, the Lion, just west of the Sickle asterism.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday 16<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nMercury reaches greatest western elongation, appearing separated from the Sun by 26.3\u00b0 in the morning sky. The planet shines at mag. +0.1 and rises an hour before the Sun.<\/p>\n\n
Friday 18<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nMag. \u20134.5 Venus and mag. +1.3 Mars are 6.1\u00b0 apart this morning. Catch them low above the southeast horizon from approximately 1 hour before sunrise.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday 23<\/h5>\n\n
Look at the region between Leo and Bo\u00f6tes around midnight to spot a faint, triangular shimmer of stars about 4\u00b0, or 8 apparent Moon diameters, in height. This is the open cluster Melotte 111.<\/p>\n\n
Thursday 24<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThe underrated open cluster M35 in Gemini, the Twins, reaches its highest position in the sky, due south at 20:00 UT. With the Moon out of the way this is a great time to view it.<\/p>\n\n
Friday 25<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nMinor planet 471 Papagena is at opposition, located in Leo, the Lion.
The lunar crater Copernicus can be seen next to the terminator on this morning\u2019s Moon.<\/p>\n\n
Saturday<\/strong> 26<\/h5>\n\nOften overshadowed by its brighter sky neighbour Sirius (Alpha (\u03b1) Canis Majoris), Mirzam (Beta (\u03b2) Canis Majoris) marks the front leg of the Great Dog, Canis Major. It is February\u2019s \u2018Star of the Month\u2019.<\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 27<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nSpot a morning grouping of Venus, Mars and the Moon. F ind mag. \u20134.5 Venus in the d awn sky, with mag. +1.3 Mars 5 .3\u00b0 below it. The 15%-lit waning crescent Moon is 4.8\u02da to the south of the Red Planet.<\/p>\n\n
Monday<\/strong> 28<\/h5>\n\nA clear sky and binoculars will give you a breathtaking view of the Beehive Cluster, M44, at the heart of Cancer, the Crab. Catch it near its highest position in the sky, due south, around 22:00 UT.<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure>\n\nMercury reaches greatest western elongation, appearing separated from the Sun by 26.3\u00b0 in the morning sky. The planet shines at mag. +0.1 and rises an hour before the Sun.<\/p>\n\n
Friday 18<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nMag. \u20134.5 Venus and mag. +1.3 Mars are 6.1\u00b0 apart this morning. Catch them low above the southeast horizon from approximately 1 hour before sunrise.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday 23<\/h5>\n\n
Look at the region between Leo and Bo\u00f6tes around midnight to spot a faint, triangular shimmer of stars about 4\u00b0, or 8 apparent Moon diameters, in height. This is the open cluster Melotte 111.<\/p>\n\n
Thursday 24<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThe underrated open cluster M35 in Gemini, the Twins, reaches its highest position in the sky, due south at 20:00 UT. With the Moon out of the way this is a great time to view it.<\/p>\n\n
Friday 25<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nMinor planet 471 Papagena is at opposition, located in Leo, the Lion.
The lunar crater Copernicus can be seen next to the terminator on this morning\u2019s Moon.<\/p>\n\n
Saturday<\/strong> 26<\/h5>\n\nOften overshadowed by its brighter sky neighbour Sirius (Alpha (\u03b1) Canis Majoris), Mirzam (Beta (\u03b2) Canis Majoris) marks the front leg of the Great Dog, Canis Major. It is February\u2019s \u2018Star of the Month\u2019.<\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 27<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nSpot a morning grouping of Venus, Mars and the Moon. F ind mag. \u20134.5 Venus in the d awn sky, with mag. +1.3 Mars 5 .3\u00b0 below it. The 15%-lit waning crescent Moon is 4.8\u02da to the south of the Red Planet.<\/p>\n\n
Monday<\/strong> 28<\/h5>\n\nA clear sky and binoculars will give you a breathtaking view of the Beehive Cluster, M44, at the heart of Cancer, the Crab. Catch it near its highest position in the sky, due south, around 22:00 UT.<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure>\n\nMag. \u20134.5 Venus and mag. +1.3 Mars are 6.1\u00b0 apart this morning. Catch them low above the southeast horizon from approximately 1 hour before sunrise.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday 23<\/h5>\n\n
Look at the region between Leo and Bo\u00f6tes around midnight to spot a faint, triangular shimmer of stars about 4\u00b0, or 8 apparent Moon diameters, in height. This is the open cluster Melotte 111.<\/p>\n\n
Thursday 24<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThe underrated open cluster M35 in Gemini, the Twins, reaches its highest position in the sky, due south at 20:00 UT. With the Moon out of the way this is a great time to view it.<\/p>\n\n
Friday 25<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nMinor planet 471 Papagena is at opposition, located in Leo, the Lion.
The lunar crater Copernicus can be seen next to the terminator on this morning\u2019s Moon.<\/p>\n\n
Saturday<\/strong> 26<\/h5>\n\nOften overshadowed by its brighter sky neighbour Sirius (Alpha (\u03b1) Canis Majoris), Mirzam (Beta (\u03b2) Canis Majoris) marks the front leg of the Great Dog, Canis Major. It is February\u2019s \u2018Star of the Month\u2019.<\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 27<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nSpot a morning grouping of Venus, Mars and the Moon. F ind mag. \u20134.5 Venus in the d awn sky, with mag. +1.3 Mars 5 .3\u00b0 below it. The 15%-lit waning crescent Moon is 4.8\u02da to the south of the Red Planet.<\/p>\n\n
Monday<\/strong> 28<\/h5>\n\nA clear sky and binoculars will give you a breathtaking view of the Beehive Cluster, M44, at the heart of Cancer, the Crab. Catch it near its highest position in the sky, due south, around 22:00 UT.<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure>\n\nThe underrated open cluster M35 in Gemini, the Twins, reaches its highest position in the sky, due south at 20:00 UT. With the Moon out of the way this is a great time to view it.<\/p>\n\n
Friday 25<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nMinor planet 471 Papagena is at opposition, located in Leo, the Lion.
The lunar crater Copernicus can be seen next to the terminator on this morning\u2019s Moon.<\/p>\n\n
Saturday<\/strong> 26<\/h5>\n\nOften overshadowed by its brighter sky neighbour Sirius (Alpha (\u03b1) Canis Majoris), Mirzam (Beta (\u03b2) Canis Majoris) marks the front leg of the Great Dog, Canis Major. It is February\u2019s \u2018Star of the Month\u2019.<\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 27<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nSpot a morning grouping of Venus, Mars and the Moon. F ind mag. \u20134.5 Venus in the d awn sky, with mag. +1.3 Mars 5 .3\u00b0 below it. The 15%-lit waning crescent Moon is 4.8\u02da to the south of the Red Planet.<\/p>\n\n
Monday<\/strong> 28<\/h5>\n\nA clear sky and binoculars will give you a breathtaking view of the Beehive Cluster, M44, at the heart of Cancer, the Crab. Catch it near its highest position in the sky, due south, around 22:00 UT.<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure>\n\nMinor planet 471 Papagena is at opposition, located in Leo, the Lion.
The lunar crater Copernicus can be seen next to the terminator on this morning\u2019s Moon.<\/p>\n\n
Saturday<\/strong> 26<\/h5>\n\nOften overshadowed by its brighter sky neighbour Sirius (Alpha (\u03b1) Canis Majoris), Mirzam (Beta (\u03b2) Canis Majoris) marks the front leg of the Great Dog, Canis Major. It is February\u2019s \u2018Star of the Month\u2019.<\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 27<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nSpot a morning grouping of Venus, Mars and the Moon. F ind mag. \u20134.5 Venus in the d awn sky, with mag. +1.3 Mars 5 .3\u00b0 below it. The 15%-lit waning crescent Moon is 4.8\u02da to the south of the Red Planet.<\/p>\n\n
Monday<\/strong> 28<\/h5>\n\nA clear sky and binoculars will give you a breathtaking view of the Beehive Cluster, M44, at the heart of Cancer, the Crab. Catch it near its highest position in the sky, due south, around 22:00 UT.<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure>\n\nSpot a morning grouping of Venus, Mars and the Moon. F ind mag. \u20134.5 Venus in the d awn sky, with mag. +1.3 Mars 5 .3\u00b0 below it. The 15%-lit waning crescent Moon is 4.8\u02da to the south of the Red Planet.<\/p>\n\n