Overview
- Quadrantid meteors are forecast to peak around January 3 with theoretical rates near 80 per hour, though a full Moon will wash out many fainter streaks.
- On January 7, Io passes over its own shadow on Jupiter from about 21:20 to shortly after 23:30, with the start and finish noted as the easiest moments to observe.
- Jupiter reaches opposition on January 10, remaining in view all night and standing out as the brightest planet with Venus absent, while its four largest moons are easy binocular targets.
- A busy run of lunar occultations includes Psi Leonis on the morning of January 6, the double star HIP 223ab on January 23, a Mu Arietis graze along a corridor through Essen–Quedlinburg–Dessau on January 26, and a Pleiades/Taygeta graze on January 27.
- Observers are advised to plan with Grazprep and confirm local times in Stellarium; Mercury, Venus and Mars stay confined to daylight and Saturn’s evening window shortens through the month.