Mercury can be seen reappearing after sunset low in the western sky after the first week of January moving from the constellation Sagittarius (the Archer) into Capriconus (the SeaGoat). Mercury begins higher in the western sky each night, staying visible for about 1½ hours. Mercury looks like a small white star.

Mars can be seen rising at sunset in the eastern sky moving from the constellation of Gemini (the Twins) into the tips of the horns of Taurus (the Bull). Mars is extremely bright and great to view this month, after reaching opposition on December 22nd. Mars can be seen all night crossing high through the southern sky and setting in the west before dawn. Mars looks like a very bright, ruddy-colored star.

Saturn can be seen rising in the eastern sky in the constellation Leo (the Lion) just to the left (east) of the bright star Regulus (the Heart of the Lion), the tip of the backward questionmark. Saturn rises around 10:00 p.m., crosses high through the southern sky and into the west by dawn. Saturn is growing dimmer every month. Saturn looks like an amber-colored star.

Venus can be seen rising in the southeastern sky passing from Scorpius (the Scorpion), through the constellation Ophiuchus (the Serpent-Bearer), into Sagittarius (the Archer). Venus shines brightly as the “Morning Star” all month. Venus is visible for about 3 hours moving high in the eastern sky before dawn. Venus looks like a very bright white star.

Jupiter can be seen for a very short time before dawn rising in the southeastern sky in the constellation of Sagittarius (the Archer). Jupiter rises a little earlier each morning as it slowly moves toward a conjunction with Venus on February 1st. Jupiter looks like a bright, yellow-colored star.