Astronomy Events January 2021 [Free Download]
New year, new skies, and the return of many celestial objects! Celebrate another year around the Sun with these exciting astronomical events happening this month! Download your free calendars here to save the dates.
Do you have clouds guaranteed almost all month? Come hang out with the OPT Team on Twitch at ClearSkiesNetwork for daily astronomy talks, gear help, and live streaming from OPT’s remote observatories as part of the OPT Observatory Project.
Okay, let's get started!
Moon Phases, Planets, and Meteor Showers
January 2, 3 - Quadrantids Meteor Shower
The Quadrantids meteor shower produces up to 40 meteors per hour at its peak. The shower runs annually from January 1-5 and peaks this year on the night of the 2nd and morning of the 3rd. Find a dark location after midnight for the best viewing.
January 13 - New Moon
No moonlight pollution makes tonight the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters.
January 24 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation
The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. Look for the planet low in the western sky just after sunset.
January 28 - Full Moon
This Full Moon was known by some early Native American tribes as the "Wolf Moon" because this was the time of year when hungry wolf packs howled outside their camps. This moon has also been know as the Old Moon and the Moon After Yule.
Northern Hemisphere Constellations and Deep Space Objects
Orion
- Orion Molecular Cloud Complex
- Orion Nebula (M42)
- De Mairan’s Nebula (M43)
- Messier 78
- Flame Nebula (NGC 2024)
- Horsehead Nebula (NGC 2023)
- Barnard’s Loop
Taurus
- Hyades Cluster
- Crab Nebula
- Pleiades
Lepus
- Messier 79
- Spirograph Nebula (IC 418)
- NGC 1821
Southern Hemisphere Constellations and Deep Space Objects
Dorado
- Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC)
Reticulum
- NGC 1559 and NGC 1313 (Topsy Turvy Galaxy)
Pictor
- Pictor A and the irregular dwarf galaxy NGC 1705
Mensa
- Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC)
Caelum
For astronomy events happening year round, download our 2021 Astronomy Events Calendar for free!
What events are you excited about? Tell us in the comments below!
Clear skies! 🔭✨
