Southern California Stargazing in January 2025

It’s desert season in Southern California, which means lots of people will be taking in clear starry nights. January promises an exciting month for stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts alike. Throughout the evenings, you’ll have the rare opportunity to witness four brilliant planets shining together in the night sky.
Additionally, mark your calendars for a close alignment of Venus and Saturn, an intriguing Moon-Mars occultation, and the vibrant Quadrantid meteor shower. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of January’s celestial events, including a video from Nasa on what you can see.
Key Skywatching Events
January 17-18 – Venus and Saturn Conjunction
From January 17th to 18th, Venus and Saturn will appear exceptionally close in the evening sky, separated by only about two degrees—roughly the width of two fingers held at arm’s length. This conjunction offers a stunning visual pairing of the two bright planets, making it a highlight for telescope users and naked-eye observers alike.
Throughout January – Four Bright Planets Visible
For the entire month, four of the brightest planets—Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars—will be visible each evening. In the early hours after sunset, locate Venus and Saturn in the southwest, Jupiter shining high overhead, and Mars rising in the east. While Uranus and Neptune are also present, they remain hidden to the naked eye and require a telescope for observation. This lineup, often referred to informally as a “planet parade,” provides a remarkable sight not seen every year.
All Month – Mars at Opposition
January marks the opposition of Mars, meaning the Red Planet is directly opposite the Sun from Earth. This alignment makes Mars appear larger and brighter in the night sky, offering prime viewing conditions. Mars will be prominent in the eastern sky at dusk and gradually move to the southwest by dawn. Oppositions occur approximately every two years, making this an excellent opportunity to observe Mars in detail.
A Stellar Evening Panorama
Mid-January’s sky chart reveals a beautiful alignment of Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars stretching across the south-southeast horizon around 7 p.m. Bright stars such as Aldebaran, Capella, Betelgeuse, Rigel, Sirius, Procyon, and Pollux enhance the celestial display, providing navigational landmarks for sky enthusiasts.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
Venus and Saturn’s Close Encounter
As January progresses, Venus and Saturn draw nearer to each other in the evening sky, culminating in their closest approach on the 17th and 18th. Although they appear close from our vantage point on Earth, these planets remain separated by vast distances in space. This visual proximity creates a striking contrast against the backdrop of stars, making for a memorable sight.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
Mars at Its Brightest
With Mars at opposition, the planet shines brightly throughout the night, offering a clear and impressive view. This event is particularly significant as Mars is the focus of multiple NASA missions, providing exciting opportunities for both amateur and professional astronomers to observe the planet’s surface features and activity.
Moon-Mars Occultation
The full Moon on January 13th will gracefully move in front of Mars, creating a stunning visual as the two celestial bodies align. This event not only highlights the dynamic relationship between our Moon and neighboring planets but also offers a unique photographic opportunity for lunar and planetary observers.
January 2025 Moon Phases
Understanding the Moon’s phases can enhance your skywatching experience. Here are the key lunar phases for January 2025:
NASA/JPL-Caltech
- First Quarter: January 6
- Full Moon: January 13
- Last Quarter: January 21
- New Moon: January 29
Stay informed about ongoing NASA missions and explore more at science.nasa.gov.