Distances in astronomy are vast, but three orbital alignments this month bring us unusually close to the moon, the sun, and Jupiter. On Jan. 2, the full moon occurs as the moon reaches its closest point to Earth, making it appear slightly larger and brighter than it typically does. The next morning, Jan. 3, Earth arrives at perihelion, the point in orbit when we’re nearest the sun.
The full moon on Dec. 4 will appear closer and brighter than usual — a so-called “supermoon.” Yet through binoculars or a telescope, the view can look surprisingly flat. With sunlight hitting the lunar surface head-on, shadows disappear and craters lose definition.
The best time to view the outer planets is usually around midnight when they’re directly opposite the sun — but you don’t have to stay up that late to catch a good show. Right now, Saturn and Neptune are close together in the night sky. Both reached their “opposition” near the autumnal equinox in September, which means they’re now high in the southern sky after dark.
Set your alarm early for a celestial treat. In the predawn hours of July 20, the waning crescent moon will rise alongside the shimmering Pleiades star cluster — a skywatching spectacle steeped in history and myth. Known to stargazers around the world for millennia, Pleiades has many names. In Japan, it’s called Subaru, the inspiration for the automaker’s logo. In ancient Greece, it represented the Seven Sisters, daughters of the Titan Atlas.
Evenings in May offer an opportunity to spot one of the most recognizable asterisms in the night sky — the Big Dipper. Many people know that the two stars at the end of the Dipper’s bowl point to Polaris, the North Star. But the Big Dipper can also help you locate other celestial objects. Just remember this phrase: “Arc to Arcturus, spike to Spica, and leap to Leo.”
Pi, the mathematical constant representing the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, plays a key role in geometry and science. It’s often celebrated on March 14, since pi rounds to 3.14. This year, we celebrate Pi Day with a total lunar eclipse, or “blood moon,” on March 13 or 14 depending on your locaton around the globe.
A celestial compass rose will appear in the Coachella Valley’s night sky on Friday, Feb. 7.
Look up to the desert sky during the nights of Dec. 15 and 16 to see the full moon at its highest point.
Catch a glimpse of C/2023 A3, one of the brightest comets, in the desert sky during the month of October.
From a morning occultation of Saturn to an evening partial eclipse, there’s plenty to see if you keep your eyes on the sky this Tuesday.
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