2020 Week 4: (January 19-January 25)

This week in the sky, the Moon makes its way to become a New Moon.  It will be in conjunction with both Mars and Jupiter in the early morning sky.

Date	Event
January 20	Mars 2° of Moon
January 22	Jupiter 0.4°S of Moon
January 24	New Moon

Mars is shining at magnitude 1.4 in Ophiuchus which is two constellations away from where the Sun is located in Capricornus.  This makes for some early twilight astronomy which, apparently, some people enjoy.  Jupiter shines nearly 20 times brighter in Sagittarius 30° east of Mars and will be in conjunction with the Moon on January 22.  Two days later the Moon will be in conjunction with the Sun which is called a New Moon.  With the lack of natural light pollution and great improvement in the temperatures this will be a perfect chance to get out and explore the night sky.

On January 25 it will be the Chinese New Year.  The New Moon ushers in the Year of the Rat(Mouse).  In the Chinese calendar, the New Year typically occurs on the second New Moon after the Winter Solstice.

Watch out for the big event happening on January 27.  Neptune and Venus will appear in the sky less than 5 arcminutes from each other.  Around 6pm, in Calgary, they will be about a quarter of a degree from each other.  This is half the diameter of the Moon.  Find someone with a telescope, or use binoculars to see this amazing conjunction.  Phi Aqaurii will also be in the same 1° field of view.  I hope to be out that evening taking a picture.  Stay tuned for next week's blog to learn more about it!