Skywatch Line for Monday, and Tuesday, January 6th and 7th, written by Joseph Slomka
This is the Skywatch Line for Monday, and Tuesday, January 6th and 7th, written by Joseph Slomka
The Sun sets at 4:37 PM; night falls at 6:19. Dawn begins at 5:45 AM and ends with the Sun rising at 7:26.
Monday’s southwestern Moon set at 11:18 PM yesterday and rises in Pisces at 11:12 AM; by 7 PM it is 52° high, 32 arc-minutes in size, First Quarter, 50% illuminated and sets at 12:34 AM. Tuesday’s southwestern Moon rises at 11:35 AM, 60° high in Aries, same size, now 61% lit and sets at 1:51 AM on Wednesday.
Planets are visible all night, with the exception of Mercury. Southwestern Aquarius hosts Venus and Saturn. Venus is the most obvious planet; in Aquarius, it rises at 9:54 AM, blazes with minus 4th magnitude, 23 arc-seconds, 53% lit, highest at 3:12 PM, by 7 PM it is 15° high and sets at 8:31 PM. Saturn lies 11° East of Venus; the Ringed Planet rises at 10:25 AM, first magnitude, 16 arc-seconds, highest at 3:55 PM, 24° high and sets at 9:29 PM.
Neptune appears between the Moon and Saturn; in Pisces, it rises at 10:49 AM, 8th magnitude, 2 arc-seconds, highest at 4:40 PM, 35° high and sets at 10:34 PM.
Southern Uranus rises in Aries at 1:01 PM, 5th magnitude, 3 arc-seconds, 65° highest at 8:11 PM and sets at 3:29 AM.
Giant Jupiter, in Taurus, rises at 2:06 PM, minus 2nd magnitude, a large 46 arc-seconds, 69° highest at 9:31 PM and sets at 5:05 AM. Monday sees the moon Europa beginning its march at 8:25 PM and ending at 10:57; its shadow commences at 9:52 and concludes at 12:27 AM. Tuesday, the Great Red Spot (a giant storm) is visible at 1:59 AM; moon Io occults (eclipses) starting at 3:13 AM and finishing at 6:10 AM.
Mars, in Cancer, nears occultation (best views). The Red Planet rises at 5:12 PM, glimmers with minus 1st magnitude, almost 15 arc-seconds, 70° highest at 1:02 AM and sets at 8:39 AM.
Elusive Mercury makes a brief appearance, only 19° from the rising Sun. It rises in Sagittarius at 6:09 AM, shines with minus zero magnitude, 5 arc-seconds, 85% lit, 7° high at 7 AM and sets at 3:05 PM.
January 5th, was the Christian feast of the Epiphany, otherwise known as “Three Kings Day.” But, who were these “kings?” Most likely they were Magi from the eastern empire of Babylon. Babylonians were famous for their astronomical skill. By 2000 BC, they identified all five visible planets, major constellations, Zodiac and Saros cycle of eclipses. These priest-astrologers were very powerful and respected throughout the known world.
These dedicated sky watchers would certainly have noticed any new object or event in the night sky. While some think that a comet or supernova may have been the “Christmas Star”. The prevailing opinion is that it may have been an astrological event: most likely a triple conjunction between Saturn and Jupiter during the year 7 BC. These startling events took place in Pisces, a significant constellation. While we now know the planets are worlds like Earth, to the ancients stars and planets were messengers from the gods. When two planets, associated with the most powerful gods, kept meeting, the Magi knew something significant was about to happen. These scholars were also familiar with their neighbors. A search of Jewish manuscripts provided the inspiration to set off for that distant land and a possible meeting with a new god-king.