EarthSky News - Jan 2 - Quadrantid Meteors January 3 or 4

January 2 Quadrantid Meteors Before Dawn  by:

Quadrantid meteors on January 3 or 4 Peak activity lasts less than a day. Morning of January 3 probably best for Americas. Night of January 4 possibly better for Asia. See it!  Last night's moon and Venus On the first night of 2017, the young moon appeared near dazzling Venus in the west after sunset. Mars was there, too, and, for those with optical aid, Neptune! Photos here. January guide to the bright planets Look west after sunset for Venus and Mars. The other 3 bright planets - Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury - light up the wee hours before sunrise. Today in science: 1st spacecraft to moon Some historians believe Luna 1 - a Soviet spacecraft - was supposed to hit the moon. It didn't but it was the first earthly craft to reach the moon, and sweep past. January's birthstone is the garnet Happy birthday January babies!  Your birthstone is the garnet.

EarthSky 2017 moon calendar almost sold out! Best New Year's gift ever! Purchase one before it's too late. Your support means the world to us.

See it! Last night's moon and Venus You could see them as soon as it got dark outside. Photo by Patricia J Agustin M in Hawaii. Click in for more photos.

Tonight … Moon near Venus and Mars The waxing moon continues to appear higher in the west after sunset. On Monday and Tuesday evenings, it's still near the planets! Submit your photo to EarthSky here!

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