List of events in sky this month – January 2017:
1 – Close approach of Mars and Neptune, they pass within 1 arc-minute of each other.
2 – Close approach of the Moon and Venus, they pass within 2 degrees of each other.
3 – Close approach of the Moon and Mars, they pass within 13 arc-minute of each other.
3 – The Quadrantid Meteor Shower peaks at 14 UT, with ZHR varying between 50 and 200.,
4 – Earth at perihelion, this is the point when Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun.
7 – Pluto at solar conjunction. Not observable as the planet is located behind the Sun.
11 – Mercury reaches its greatest brightness in the dawn sky.
12 – Full Moon.
19 – Mercury at greatest elongation west and is well placed in the dawn sky.
26 – New Moon.