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| This month's star chart shows
the eastern sky at 8:00 PM on January 12, the night of our star party.
Jupiter, shining at mag -2.7, is the brightest object in the sky
visible at this time. Jupiter is well placed in Gemini, about 35 deg above
the horizon. You should be able to see the four Gali-lean moons with binoculars,
not necessarily at the same time because some of the satellites may be
behind the planet at particular times. Notice how much brighter Jupiter
is than any star. In-deed, Sirius - the brightest star in the sky, at mag
-1.6 - pales in comparison with Jupiter.
Castor and Pollux, the twins in Gemini, shine at mags 1.6 and 1.2. Capella, directly above the twins, is the fifth brightest star in the sky, shining at mag 0.2. Saturn is a great sight in Taurus, shining at mag 2.1. Because of its position about 60 deg above the horizon, there is now less of the earth's atmosphere between us and Saturn. If you have a steady hand, you may be able to see the rings in a pair of binoculars. Old friend Orion is now well placed about 30 deg above the horizon. The Orion Nebula is visible to the naked eye as a fuzzy "star" in the middle of Orion's sword, the middle of the three stars in the sword. Can you find Betelgeuse, the red giant, and blue-white Rigel, Orion's most prominent stars? |
You can print a copy of this star chart so you can take it outside.
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