Overview
- The Moon reached new phase at 2:52 p.m. EST on Jan. 18, producing unusually dark nights that favor naked-eye viewing and deep-sky observing, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory.
- A razor-thin waxing crescent emerges Jan. 19–20 low in the west-southwest 30–45 minutes after sunset, with Earthshine enhancing the view and binoculars recommended for the faint sliver.
- The crescent passes near Saturn Jan. 21–23, shifting from beside to below and then above the planet as its illumination grows from about 10% to 26%.
- Saturn sits low in the southwestern sky shortly after sunset, while brighter Jupiter rises in the east around nightfall and remains visible for most of the night.
- Northern Hemisphere observers get prominent winter constellations such as Orion, Taurus, Gemini and Sirius, while Southern Hemisphere viewers see later planet rise times with Carina, Vela, Puppis and the Southern Cross; the Moon reaches first quarter on Jan. 25.