Astronomical Recap

Celestial Events of January

BY EMILY SLOAN Staff Writer

Attention, all astronomy enthusiasts! This past January was an interesting month for astronomers, star gazers, and astronomy hobbyists. In case you missed them, here is a detailed brief summarizing the celestial events that kicked off 2023.

The new year began with the impressive Quadrantids Meteor shower, which peaked on the third and fourth of this month. This annual meteor shower is one of the most remarkable sights to behold because of the sheer volume and consistency of the meteors present within the shower. Some report witnessing around 60 to 200 meteors per hour during its peak.

Another event that gained public interest is Earth’s Perihelion, which occurred on Jan. 4. A perihelion occurs when the earth reaches its closest orbital point to the sun each year.

A few days after this event, the year’s first full moon appeared on Jan. 6. This moon, subsequently named the “Wolf Moon,” received its name from the legend of howling wolves associated with the moonlight in Celtic and Old English folklore.

The sky was especially active during the latter days of January. On Jan. 21, astronomers witnessed the closest New Moon since the Middle Ages—about

1337 years—the next one will occur in 345 years! On Jan. 22, two of the most stunning planets danced across the sky. Bright Venus and beautiful Saturn passed about 0.34 degrees in proximity, making it almost impossible to distinguish the two from each other.

January closed on a peaceful note. The elusive planet Mercury and the Green Comet both appeared on Jan. 30. Both objects were visible to the unaided eye in favorable stargazing conditions.

Some are probably wondering now; why study astronomy? There are many benefits to keeping up with celestial events. They increase individual awareness about how the universe operates, raising questions about life and existence. It is a branch of science that remains unpredictable and exciting to explore because there is still a lot to be discovered. They allow people to think beyond themselves and look to something bigger. This subject unites people with self-discovery, curiosity, and personal achievement, enabling them to have a deeper perspective on life and humanity.

If you want to learn more about astronomy, here are some of the best resources available for amateur stargazers: Stellarium, Arloon Solar System, AstroBackyard, Astronomy.com, and NASA’s official website.