Visible planets tonight: Why Venus and Jupiter are so bright in January

If you look at the night sky this month, you’ll be able to see some bright dots next to the moon. These dots are planets that will be visible near the moon during January.

It's a striking conjunction as the moon, illuminated at its first quarter phase, shares the night sky with the bright and prominent Jupiter, Venus and other planets. Events like these connect people with the wonders of the cosmos, encouraging an appreciation for the beauty of our celestial neighbors.

To observe these planets you can look toward the western or eastern parts of the sky, depending on which planet you are looking for, during the evening hours. Stargazers can enhance their experience by using stargazing apps or charts to precisely locate and identify the celestial bodies.

Here is everything you need to know about which planets are next to the moon in January.

What is the planet next to the moon right now?

According to Star Walk, from Jan. 8-14, the planets that are visible next to the moon are Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Jupiter.

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Why is Venus so close to the moon tonight?

The moon goes through its monthly orbit around the Earth, while Venus orbits the sun. As a result, their positions relative to each other and Earth change regularly. Sometimes they may appear close together in the sky and at other times, they may be in different parts of the sky, according to Earth Sky.

If you observe the night sky over several nights or months, you'll notice that the moon moves along its path and Venus, like other planets, follows its orbital trajectory. The apparent closeness of Venus to the moon is a temporary alignment and not a permanent or regular occurrence.

Is Venus always near the moon?

Venus is not always near the moon. The positions of celestial bodies constantly change due to their orbits. While Venus and the moon can appear close together at times, they can also be far apart on other occasions, according to NASA.

Where is Jupiter right now?

According to Sky Live, Jupiter is currently in the constellation of Aries. In the early evening in January, Aries typically rises in the eastern part of the sky. Still, the direction of Aries in January can depend on your specific location and the time of night.

Can you see Jupiter with the naked eye?

Jupiter is one of the brightest objects in the night sky and can be easily seen with the naked eye. It is often referred to as one of the five classical planets visible to the naked eye and has been known since ancient times.

Jupiter is a gas giant and is the largest planet in our solar system. Its brightness is due to its size, composition and the reflection of sunlight, according to the Farmers Almanac.

Jupiter is typically visible in the evening sky, and its brightness can rival some of the brightest stars.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What planet is next to the moon now? How to see Venus and Jupiter