January Stargazing: Top Celestial Highlights

UKSN
Jan 5
2 min read

January offers some of the best stargazing opportunities of the year, with crisp, clear skies and long nights. Here are a few celestial highlights to look for this month:

January Stargazing: Top Celestial Highlights Feature Image

Orion’s Belt

One of the most recognisable constellations, Orion’s Belt is high in the sky during January. Look for the three bright stars in a row, forming the hunter’s belt. Orion’s other stars, including Betelgeuse (a red supergiant) and Rigel (a blue supergiant), are also visible and easy to spot.

The Quadrantid Meteor Shower

Peaking around 4 January, the Quadrantids can produce up to 50 meteors per hour in ideal conditions. While the peak is brief, you may still see meteors in the nights leading up to and following the peak.

Tips for viewing:

Find a dark location away from city lights.
Look towards the constellation Boötes, near the north-eastern horizon.
Give your eyes 20 minutes to adapt and dress warmly.

The Winter Triangle

The Winter Triangle is formed by Sirius, Betelgeuse, and Procyon. This distinctive triangle dominates the January sky and is a useful marker for identifying nearby constellations.

The Pleiades Cluster (Seven Sisters) ✨

Located near Taurus, the Pleiades cluster is a beautiful group of stars visible in the early evening. Look west just after sunset for the clearest view.

Planets

Mars is visible in the evening sky throughout January.
Venus shines brightly as the “Morning Star,” visible in the early hours before sunrise.

January Stargazing Challenge

Objective: Spot Orion’s Belt, the Winter Triangle, and a few Quadrantid meteors in one night.

How to do it:

Pick a clear night after 4 January.
Locate Orion’s Belt first as your reference point.
Find the Winter Triangle using Sirius, Betelgeuse, and Procyon.
Watch the sky for meteors, particularly around Boötes.
Note the constellations and any meteors you spot — you could even try sketching or photographing the scene.

Completing this challenge will give you a full picture of January’s winter sky and help improve your constellation spotting skills.

Final Thought

With patience and clear skies, January is a month full of easily identifiable constellations, bright planets, and a spectacular meteor shower. Dress warmly, find a dark spot, and enjoy one of the best months of the year for stargazing in the UK.