EarthSky News - Jan 1 - Happy 2017!

January 1 Happy 2017! by:

Tonight … Moon, Venus and Mars after sunset 2017 begins with a dazzling "star" near the waxing moon, really the planet Venus. Mars is up there, too. Why the New Year begins on January 1 The reasons are mainly historical, not astronomical. Yet nature cooperates to make January 1 a satisfying time to start anew. 2017 has 2 Friday the 13ths When a common year of 365 days starts on a Sunday, as it does this year, 2 Friday the 13ths are inevitable. First is this month. Today in science: Discovery of Ceres Ceres was the first asteroid ever discovered, in 1801, and it's still the largest body in the asteroid belt.

EarthSky 2017 moon calendar almost sold out! Best New Year's gift ever! Purchase one before it's too late since we won't be ordering more. Your support means the world to us.

Moon, Venus and Mars after sunset Watch for the waxing crescent to sweep past Venus and Mars over the next several evenings.

Today's image: Geese flying along anticrepusular rays Elusive anticrepuscular rays converge towards a point opposite the sun. Karl Diefenderfer caught them as 2016 came to a close, as a flock of geese was passing by. Submit your photo to EarthSky here!

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