Sunrise Sunset

Fri., Jan. 6 7:08 4:26

Sat., Jan. 7 7:08 4:27

Sun., Jan. 8 7:08 4:28

Mon., Jan. 9 7:08 4:29

Tues., Jan. 10 7:08 4:30

Wed., Jan. 11 7:07 4:31

Thurs., Jan. 12 7:07 4:32

Fri., Jan. 13 7:07 4:33

The Ice Moon, the first full moon of the year, rises and dominates the eastern sky after sunset on Monday night. The moon is in the zodiacal constellation Gemini.

Four nights later, the gibbous moon rises later in the evening and is next to the bright red planet Mars. Both are in the zodiacal constellation Virgo. If you haven’t seen Mars yet this season, Thursday night will be a good opportunity. The moon acts as an easy guide to this glowing red planet.

Winter may have a hold on the weather for the next three months, but the days are getting longer. Sunsets began to be noticeably later about a week ago, and in the coming week the sun will begin to rise earlier in the morning.

Since the shortest days of the year two weeks ago, our daylight has increased 23 minutes.

Venus and Jupiter

The two brightest planets in the night sky appear early in the evening, soon after sunset. Venus appears high above the treeline over the western sky, and Jupiter is easy to find high in the east. Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system, while Venus, earth’s nearest planetary neighbor, is always cloud covered and reflects sunlight well.

M.A.L.