The month of January 2025 promises to be exciting for astronomy enthusiasts, as several noteworthy events centered around planet Mars are set to occur. From its intriguing retrograde movement to the occultation by the Full Wolf Moon, this month provides several unique viewing opportunities for those eager to gaze at the Red Planet at its brightest and closest to Earth.
Starting off, Mars will be retrograding past the constellation Gemini, which includes the bright stars Castor and Pollux, from January 19 to 31. According to Jeffrey L. Hunt, during this period, observers can find Mars distinctly glowing near the Twins, rising shortly after sunset. With sunset times varying across different locations, the best viewing is projected to be around 20° above the horizon, approximately one hour after darkness sets in.
But before these celestial alignments take place, skywatchers will witness the Full Wolf Moon obscuring Mars on January 13. This peculiar astronomical event, known as an occultation, will see the moon pass directly in front of Mars, temporarily hiding the vibrant planet from view for over an hour. Amanda C. Kooser explains how the occultation will be visible from the contiguous United States, and encourages viewers to prepare their binoculars, noting the idea of hunting for Mars’s reappearance after the moon has passed.
“An occultation is when one celestial object passes directly in front of another, hiding the background object from view,” NASA stated, offering guidance for this captivating viewing experience. Timing will play a key role, as Kooser cautioned enthusiasts to start their observation ten minutes early to catch Mars before the moon’s cover-up begins. She also expressed the excitement behind the idea of the Wolf Moon seemingly gobbling up the planet and then returning it to view.
Just days later, on January 15, Mars reaches opposition, meaning it will be positioned directly opposite the sun, making it shine even brighter. This is the closest Mars will be to Earth all year, so expect it to appear more radiant than usual. During this time, observers are encouraged to gaze eastward after sunset and check the western sky as dawn approaches to catch Mars.
Another exciting highlight during the month is the opportunity to engage with Mars through the Virtual Telescope Project, which will host live online observation sessions on January 12 and 16. These sessions will showcase Mars at its minimum distance from Earth, around 96 million kilometers, as well as the opposition event. The project invites everyone to take part from the comfort of their homes, ensuring no one is left out of this celestial spectacle.
“Join us online, from the comfort of your home!” invites the Virtual Telescope Project, guaranteeing accessibility to anyone interested.
While the celestial choreography of January may seem overwhelming, the key is to enjoy each moment of observation—and maybe even bring out the binoculars. Once you catch sight of Mars, watch its movement against the backdrop of Castor and Pollux, monitor its brightness during the occultation, and rejoice as it reaches its grandest visibility at opposition.
With the moon's enchanting act of concealing and then exposing Mars, along with the Red Planet's notable celestial movements throughout the month, January 2025 opens up opportunities for learning and engagement with the cosmos. Enthusiasts should mark their calendars and prepare for these major celestial events, encouraging friends and family to join the exploration of our fascinating night sky.