January night skies one of the best months for Saskatchewan stargazing

The recent stretch of milder winter weather has given Saskatchewan residents a timely chance to step outside and enjoy one of the best months of the year for stargazing.

January’s early darkness and clearer skies make it an ideal time to explore the night sky when temperatures ease, according to Tim Yaworski, a member of the Saskatoon Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

Read more:

“We’re sort of in the prime seasons for being able to enjoy our night sky,” he said.

“Right now, the weather is a little milder than normal for winter, so it’s definitely a good chance to get out.”

In general, winter, spring and fall are among the best times to stargaze, while June and July offer the poorest viewing because nights are so short.

Jupiter leads the show

One of the biggest highlights this month is Jupiter, which is currently positioned so it can be seen throughout the entire evening and night.

“As the sun is setting in the west, Jupiter is rising in the eastern sky and it travels all the way overhead and steps in the west when the sun is rising in the east,” Yaworski said.

To the naked eye, Jupiter appears as a very bright point of light. With binoculars or a small telescope, observers can see more detail.

“What you’ll notice on either side of it, you’re going to see some pinpoints of light, anywhere from about three or four pinpoints of light,” he said. “And those pinpoints of light are what are known as the Galilean moon.”

Under good viewing conditions, cloud bands on the planet may also be visible and, with very clear skies, even Jupiter’s Great Red Spot.

A planetary lineup later in January

Another highlight arrives on the evening of Jan. 23, when a crescent moon will appear in the southwestern sky with Saturn positioned below it.

“That next brightest star is actually the planet Saturn,” Yaworski said.

Between the Moon and Saturn, a third planet will also be visible for those using binoculars or a small telescope.

“That planet is Uranus.”

Yaworski said Uranus will appear as a faint, aquamarine-coloured point of light roughly a quarter of the way between Saturn and the Moon.

Northern Lights and viewing tips

January also brings increased chances of seeing the northern lights, as solar activity remains elevated.

“We’re seeing a lot more activity in the Northern Lights,” Yaworski said.

He recommended Aurora Watch website, a free alert service run by the University of Alberta, which notifies users when aurora conditions are favourable.

To get the best view of the night sky, Yaworski encouraged people to move away from city lights and allow their eyes time to adjust.

“It takes your eyes about 15 minutes to really get used to that darkness,” he said. “So for those 15 minutes, don’t turn your smartphone on. Don’t turn on your white flashlight.”

Yaworski also noted that a total lunar eclipse will be visible in March, an event he said would be accessible even for people watching from the heart of the city.

Read more: