The Planets

Mars is in the east at sunset.
Saturn is high in the SW at sunrise.
Venus in the SE at sunrise.
Jupiter is low and left of Venus by mid month, forming a handsome pair by the end of the month.

The Moon

New Moon: January 8
First quarter: January 15
Full Moon: January 22
Last Quarter: January 30

Constellation of the Month: Orion the Hunter

Orion (oh-RYE-un) is the brightest constellation in the winter sky. He stands with his uplifted club in one hand, feet widespread, and his starry belt marking his waist.

There are many legends about Orion. In one Greek tale, he was the son of Poseidon, the Sea-God, and Euryale. Orion was a giant who traveled far and wide hunting and fighting. But then he fell in love with Artemis, goddess of the moon and hunting.

Apollo, Artemis' brother, was not happy that Artemis might marry Orion. So Apollo, who knew that Orion had gone for a swim, challenged Artemis to hit the distant target in the ocean. Artemis unknowingly killed Orion with her arrow. Unable to restore him to life, she put his image among the stars, where you can see him every winter.

How to find Orion: Go out around 9:30 p.m. and face southeast. Look for three bright stars in a row that make Orion's belt.

Events

• January 4: After 6:30 a.m., Venus and a waning crescent moon make a handsome pair low above the eastern horizon.

• January 19: At sunset Mars will be about 1 degree right of the nearly full moon low on the eastern horizon.