This January, See A ‘Planet Parade’ In The Night Sky

Key takeaways

January offers a unique opportunity to observe multiple planets in the night sky, making it an exciting month for amateur astronomers.
The ATLAS comet, while bright, may not be easily visible due to its proximity to the sun, requiring special equipment for observation.
Upcoming celestial events, including meteor showers and eclipses, provide additional opportunities for sky watchers to engage with astronomical phenomena.
Familiarity with key constellations and celestial objects can enhance the stargazing experience, even without a telescope.
The increasing number of satellites poses challenges for astronomers, impacting the quality of observations and scientific research.

Summary

Planet Parade in January

The episode opens with an enthusiastic exploration of astronomical events happening in January, focusing on the 'Planet Parade'. Dean Regas mentions a spectacular visibility of six planets: Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune. He emphasizes that while the first four can be viewed with the naked eye, Uranus and Neptune will require a telescope. Regas notes that Venus and Saturn will appear particularly close after dusk, creating a bright and stunning sight against the evening sky.

Visibility of the ATLAS Comet

The conversation shifts to the ATLAS Comet, hailed as one of the brightest comets in recent times, comparable to the brightness of Venus. Regas informs listeners that while it is bright, it is primarily located near the sun, making it challenging for the average observer to see it without special equipment. He warns against attempting to observe it directly during sunrise or sunset, as this could be harmful. Opportunities for visibility are predicted mainly for the Southern Hemisphere.

Upcoming Meteor Showers and Celestial Events

Dean Regas also discusses future celestial events such as the upcoming Lyrid meteor shower in April, noting it’s a great treat because the moon phase will allow for clearer skies to view these shooting stars. Additionally, he shares exciting dates for lunar and solar eclipses that will occur later in the year, advising listeners to mark their calendars for these spectacular sightings, particularly a total lunar eclipse on March 13th-14th, which will be visible across much of the United States.

Exploration of Night Sky Highlights

Listeners are encouraged to look beyond planets for celestial beauty, including the prominent winter stars visible in the night sky. Regas highlights the Orion constellation and its Nebula, as well as other star clusters such as the Pleiades. He also addresses issues like light pollution and concerns of satellite visibility affecting star observation.

Innovations in Astronomy and the Future

In discussing technological advancements, Regas illuminates the rapid increase of satellites in orbit, noting the competition between countries in launching them. He dives into potential impacts on scientific research and visibility of the night sky, stressing the importance of balancing modern technology with astronomical pursuits.

Show notes

Rejoice, amateur and professional astronomers: This January is a fantastic time for looking up at the sky.

The flashiest event of the season is also one of the easiest to see without binoculars or a telescope. A “parade of planets”—Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars—will be visible, and recognizable by their incredible brightness against the night sky. Uranus and Neptune will also be visible, but with a telescope. This string of planets will be visible for all of January.

Additionally, the ATLAS comet, discovered last year by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, has come close enough to the sun—8.3 million miles away—to be visible with binoculars or a telescope. Be careful, though: looking at sunrise or sunset could hurt your eyes.

Astronomer Dean Regas, host of the podcast “Looking Up with Dean Regas,” joins Ira from Cincinnati, Ohio, to discuss the best things the winter night sky has to offer this year, with or without a telescope.

Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com.

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