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This is the Griffith Observatory Sky Report through February 6th, 2019. Here’s what’s happening in the skies of southern California.
A grouping of brilliant objects can be seen at dawn, made by the planets Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn, the bright orange star of the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion, Antares, and through February 2nd, the moon. Look to the southeast starting at 6:15 a.m. Venus is the brightest planet in the grouping. The second brightest planet, Jupiter, is to the right of Venus, and to the right of Jupiter glitters Antares. Golden planet Saturn is to the lower left of Venus, between Venus and the horizon.
On Thursday morning, January 31st, the crescent moon is very close to Venus, and on the following two mornings, February 1st and 2nd, the moon is near Saturn.
The only planet visible in the evening sky is orange Mars. Mars appears similar to a bright star, and can be spotted midway between the southwest horizon and the zenith––the point directly overhead––at nightfall.
The crescent moon will first appear in the evening sky on the 6th. Look for it then to the lower right of Mars.
If you have the fortune to inhabit a locale with clear weather and survivable temperatures, this weekend would be a great time to learn the winter stars. Knowing the constellation named for the mythological Orion the Hunter can help you to identify the many other winter stars and constellations. Constellations are imaginary patterns, but they are also effective memory aids that help you to remember and identify the stars and to learn your way around the sky. An excellent brief guide to learning the constellations by season is the online guide by Astronomy magazine.
Free views of the Sun during the day and of the moon, planets, and other celestial objects at night are available to the public in clear weather through Griffith Observatory’s telescopes from Tuesday through Sunday, before 9:30 p.m. Check our website for the schedule. The next free public star party on the grounds of Griffith Observatory, hosted by the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, the Sidewalk Astronomers, and the Planetary Society, will take place on Saturday, February 9th.
Follow the Sky Report on Twitter for updates of astronomy and space-related events.
From Griffith Observatory, I’m Anthony Cook, and I can be reached at griffithobserver@gmail.com.