Astronomical Events

On 2 January, The open star cluster M41 (NGC 2287; mag 4.6) in Canis Major will reach its highest point in the sky at 00:21, 45° above your southern horizon. 

The Moon and Mars will share the same right ascension, with the Moon passing 32' to the south of Mars. The two objects will also make a close approach, technically called an appulse.

The Quadrantids is an above-average shower, with up to 40 meteors per hour at its peak. The Quadrantid meteor shower will be active from 12 December to 12 January, producing its peak rate of meteors around 4 January. 

The Moon will reach full phase. At this time of the month, it is visible for much of the night.  Early Native Americans called it Wolf Moon due to howling wolf packs outside camps. Also known as Old Moon and Moon After Yule. 

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will make its closest approach to the Sun on 12 January, at a distance of 1.11 AU. On the day of perihelion. It will be visible in the dawn sky, rising at 01:19 (IST) and reaching an altitude of 53°. 

On 15 January, The open star cluster M47 (NGC 2422; mag 4.5) in Puppis will reach its highest point in the sky at 00:21, 52° above your southern horizon. 

On 17 January, The open star cluster NGC 2451 (mag 2.8) in Puppis will reach its highest point in the sky at 00:21, 28° above your southern horizon. 

The γ-Ursae Minorid meteor shower will be active from 15 January to 25 January, producing its peak rate of meteors around 19 January. 

On 23 January, the open star cluster NGC 2547 (mag 4.7) in Vela will reach its highest point in the sky. 

Mercury will reach half phase in its Jan–Mar 2023 morning apparition. It will be shining brightly at mag -0.1. 

The Moon and Jupiter will share the same right ascension, with the Moon passing 1°48' to the south of Jupiter. The two objects will also make a close approach, technically called an appulse. 

 Mercury will reach its highest point in the sky in its Jan–Mar 2023 morning apparition. It will be shining brightly at mag -0.2. 

The Moon and Mars will share the same right ascension, with the Moon passing 6'19" to the south of Mars. The two objects will also make a close approach, technically called an appulse. 

On 31 January,  Beehive open star cluster (M44, NGC 2632, also known as Praesepe; mag 3.7) in Cancer will reach its highest point in the sky at 00:21, 86° above your southern horizon.