WAXING GIBBOUS MOON CLOSE TO JUPITER! – 10/01/2025

On this evening (10/01/2025) the 88% illuminated waxing gibbous Moon will be travelling fairly close by to the bright gas giant planet Jupiter and will appear to be separated in our nighttime skies by only 4.5 degrees! This celestial meeting will make for a beautiful sight when viewed by eye or an excellent photographic opportunity.

The pair of luminaries should be very easy to spot, shining brightly in the zodiacal constellation of Taurus the bull.

Look towards the East from darkness to view the pairing, as the night progresses the couple will continue to rise in the sky travelling towards the South where they will reach their highest point in the sky (with the Moon reaching 62 degrees high) at around 21:18. The Moon and Jupiter will then begin to descend travelling towards the North-West where they will set at 06:47 and 05:41 respectively.

Nearby to the right of the Moon and Jupiter you may also be able to spot the radiant open star cluster the Pleiades (aka the Seven Sisters or Subaru). Just below the dynamic duo you will also be able to spot the bright red star Aldebaran which is thought to be the eye of Taurus the bull. Around 45 degrees left of the Moon and Jupiter you will be able to spot the red planet Mars in the constellation of Cancer nearby to the bright stars Pollux and Castor of Gemini. Look further below the pairing of the Moon and Jupiter and you will also be able to spot the distinctive winter constellation of Orion the hunter which also contains many other celestial goodies to gaze upon! 

If you would like to know more about the rest of the celestial treats that can be seen throughout January, please head to our YouTube channel to watch our Night Sky Guide video for January 2025.

If you head out to enjoy the night sky at any time in the near future, we wish you good luck and clear skies!