Astronomical Events in January 2025 for Hamilton, Ontario
January 2025 is filled with celestial wonders for stargazers in Hamilton, Ontario. From meteor showers to planetary oppositions, here’s a chronological list of the month’s astronomical highlights:
January 2 – New Moon
The Moon will not be visible in the sky, creating ideal conditions for observing faint deep-sky objects like galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters.
January 3-4 – Quadrantid Meteor Shower Peak
The Quadrantid meteor shower will reach its peak, producing up to 120 meteors per hour under optimal conditions. With the Moon nearly absent, this promises excellent visibility. Look toward the northeastern sky after midnight for the best views.
January 10 – Venus and the Crescent Moon Conjunction
Venus will appear near a slender crescent Moon in the western sky after sunset, creating a stunning visual conjunction. This event is visible to the naked eye and makes for excellent photography opportunities.
January 11 – Mars Close to Earth
Mars will be at its closest approach to Earth this year, offering a chance to see the red planet’s surface features through a telescope. Look for Mars near the bright stars Pollux and Castor in Gemini after midnight.
January 13 – Occultation of Mars
Starting at approximately 9:15 PM EST, the Moon will pass directly in front of Mars, temporarily hiding it from view. This rare event is visible from Hamilton and offers an exceptional opportunity to observe the dynamics of celestial motion. Use binoculars or a telescope for the best views.
January 16 – Mars at Opposition
Mars will be at opposition, meaning it will be at its closest approach to Earth and directly opposite the Sun in the sky. The Red Planet will shine brightly and appear larger through a telescope, making this the best time to observe its surface features.
January 17 – Full Moon (Wolf Moon)
The Full Wolf Moon will illuminate the night sky. Its brightness makes it a great time to observe lunar features like craters and maria through binoculars or a telescope.
January 21 – Moon and Jupiter Conjunction
The waxing gibbous Moon will pass close to Jupiter in the evening sky. This conjunction will be visible to the naked eye, but binoculars will enhance the experience.
Throughout January – Venus as the Evening Star
Venus will dominate the western sky after sunset throughout the month. Its brilliance makes it an excellent target for observation, even with the naked eye.
Observing Tips
- Choose a Dark Spot: For the best views, Hamilton’s rural outskirts or conservation areas offer darker skies.
- Weather: Monitor the forecast for clear skies.
- Gear: Binoculars and telescopes will enhance views of planets, conjunctions, and the occultation.
- Comfort: Bundle up to stay warm during chilly January nights.
Take advantage of Hamilton’s crisp winter skies to enjoy these incredible celestial events!
Monthly skywatching information is provided to Space.com by Chris Vaughan of Starry Night
Education, the leader in space science curriculum solutions. Follow Starry Night on Twitter
@StarryNightEdu and Chris on Twitter, Threads, and Instagram as Astrogeoguy.