By Erich Karkoschka
Saturn is transiting around 7 pm, later this month at 6 pm, ideally suited for evening observations. Its rings open and brighten up by a factor of three this month, but remain as thin as a line. All moons orbit back and forth on the same line.
Neptune is 3 degrees east of Saturn. On February 15, it will be the minimum in 35 years, less than 1 degree.
Uranus is 4.5 degrees south of the Pleiades. This month is the closest distance during its 84 year orbit.
Jupiter rises at 8 pm, later at 7 pm. It is near Pollux. It is getting close to opposition.
Mercury is very easy to see around 6:15 to 6:30 am. It rises even before twilight starts.
The Moon is back in the evening sky on the Solstice, the 21st, as a thin crescent. The highest Full Moon in its 18-year nodal cycle occurs on New Year’s Day at 11 pm with an altitude of 86 degrees, not far from 90 degrees.