Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog

Ephemeris for Wednesday, January 16th.  The sun will rise at 8:15.  It’ll be up for 9 hours and 14 minutes, setting at 5:30.   The moon, 2 days before first quarter, will set at 11:37 this evening.

Let’s check out the planets for this week.  Mars can be seen low in the southwest.  It will set at 7:11 p.m, two minutes later than last week because Mars is moving northward.  The sun will eventually catch up with it in mid April.  Even before you can spot Mars, bright Jupiter will be visible in the southeast.  Jupiter is located in the constellation of Taurus and moves from the southeast to the high south southwest during the evening.  It will transit or pass due south at 9:15 p.m, and will set at 4:46 a.m.  Jupiter is a wonderful sight in telescopes with its cloud bands and its moons which change positions each night.  Saturn will be the next planet to rise at 2:20 a.m. in the east southeast.  It’s located in eastern Virgo. Venus will rise at 7:15.

Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan.  They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Mars, now becoming more visible as it moves northward is shown at 6:30 p.m. on January 16, 2013. Created using Stellarium.

Jupiter and the winter circle of bright winter stars at 9 p.m. January 16, 2013. Created using Stellarium.

Saturn with the late spring and early summer stars at 6 a.m January 17, 2013.