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Welcome to the January 2025 installment of "What to Shoot in Carolina's Skies," a monthly guide by Juxtaposed Tides dedicated to exploring the celestial wonders visible from North Carolina. As the new year begins, the sky offers a rich tapestry of astronomical events that promise to captivate both amateur and professional photographers. From the brilliant opposition of Mars to the Quadrantid meteor shower, January is packed with opportunities to capture the beauty of the cosmos.
Checklist for North Carolina Stargazers 🌌
January 2025 Celestial Events
January 3
☑ Moon passes 1°18' from Venus (mag -4.5)
☑ Quadrantids Meteor Shower peaks (ZHR = 110) 🌟
January 4
☑ Earth at perihelion (closest to the Sun)
☑ Lunar occultation of Saturn (mag 1.1) 🌟
January 5
☑ Lunar occultation of Neptune (mag 7.9)
January 6
☑ First Quarter Moon
January 9
☑ Moon passes 4°17' from Uranus (mag 5.7)
January 10
☑ Moon passes 0°18' from Pleiades (mag 1.2)
☑ Moon passes 5°22' from Jupiter (mag -2.7)
☑ Venus at greatest elongation east 🌟
January 12
☑ Mars closest to Earth (mag -1.4)
☑ Venus at dichotomy
January 13
☑ Moon passes 2°12' from Pollux (mag 1.2)
☑ Full Moon 🌟
☑ C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) passes perihelion and perigee 🌟
January 14
☑ Lunar occultation of Mars (mag -1.4)
☑ Moon passes 2°42' from the Beehive Cluster (mag 3.1)
January 16
☑ Mars at opposition (mag -1.6) 🌟
☑ Moon passes 2°24' from Regulus (mag 1.4)
January 18
☑ Venus passes 2°12' from Saturn (mag -4.6 and mag 1.1) 🌟
January 19
☑ Gamma-Ursae Minorids Meteor Shower peaks (ZHR = 3)
January 21
☑ Last Quarter Moon
☑ Lunar occultation of Spica (mag 1.0)
☑ Large planetary alignment 🌟
January 23
☑ Mars passes 2°24' from Pollux (mag -1.3 and mag 1.2)
January 24
☑ Lunar occultation of Antares (mag 1.1)
January 28
☑ Moon passes 2°27' from Mercury (mag -0.8)
January 29
☑ New Moon (Lunar New Year) 🌟
January 30
☑ Uranus ends retrograde motion
January 31
☑ Jupiter passes 5°12' from Aldebaran (mag -2.5 and mag 0.9) 🌟
Highlights 🌟
Highlighted events are must-see celestial happenings this month! Screenshot this info and use it this month to create your perfect Aperture Abentueurs this month.
The full article provides detailed insights into these events to help you plan your stargazing sessions.
J.T. What to Shoot in Carolina’s Skies: January 2025 Edition
Mars at Opposition
January kicks off with a spectacular celestial event: Mars reaches opposition on January 16th. During this time, the Red Planet is directly opposite the Sun in the sky, making it the brightest and closest it will be to Earth for the next two years. In North Carolina, this presents a unique opportunity to photograph Mars in all its glory. As it rises in the east after sunset, Mars will dominate the night sky, shining with a distinctive reddish hue.
For photographers, using a telescope or a telephoto lens can reveal some of Mars’ surface features, such as its polar ice caps and dark volcanic plains. Consider capturing a series of images over several nights to observe Mars' apparent retrograde motion against the backdrop of stars.
The Quadrantid Meteor Shower
The Quadrantid meteor shower, peaking on the night of January 3rd into the early hours of January 4th, is one of the most promising meteor showers of the year. With a Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) of up to 120 meteors per hour under ideal conditions, this shower is a must-see for North Carolina skywatchers. The meteors will radiate from the constellation Boötes, which will be high in the northeastern sky.
To capture the Quadrantids, find a location away from city lights, such as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or any of North Carolina's dark sky preserves. Use a wide-angle lens and set your camera for long exposures to capture multiple meteors streaking across the sky. A sturdy tripod and a remote shutter release will help ensure sharp images.
Lunar Occultations
In January 2025, the Moon will occult several stars and planets, providing interesting photographic opportunities. One close approach will occur on January 4th, as Saturn will pass within 0*36’ of the Moon. This is the closest approach of Saturn and the Moon until 2031!The most notable occultation occurs on January 14th when the Moon passes in front of Mars. This event will be visible in the early evening sky, offering a chance to photograph the Moon and Mars in close conjunction.
For photographers, this is a great opportunity to experiment with different compositions. Capture the event with a longer lens to frame both celestial bodies in a tight shot, or use a wide-angle lens to include the surrounding landscape, adding context and scale to your images.
Jan. 13: Wolf Moon
January’s Full Moon is known as the Wolf Moon, after active wolves during the early parts of the year.
The name is thought to have a Celtic and Old English origin, brought over to North America by European settlers. Other Celtic names for the Full Moon include Stay Home Moon and Quiet Moon, while in some Native American cultures, it is called Severe Moon or Center Moon.
In Anglo-Saxon culture, January’s Full Moon was also called the Moon after Yule. Pre-Christian Yule (or Juul) is the ancient winter solstice festival usually celebrated around December 21.
Venus in the Evening Sky
Throughout January, Venus will be a brilliant evening star, shining brightly in the western sky after sunset. As the second planet from the Sun, Venus is often mistaken for a UFO due to its intense brightness. For photographers, Venus offers a chance to capture stunning twilight scenes. Pair Venus with the silhouettes of North Carolina's pine trees or the rolling hills of the Piedmont region for dramatic compositions.
Consider using a small aperture to create a starburst effect around Venus, enhancing its appearance as the "Evening Star." Venus will continue to climb higher in the sky throughout the month, making it easier to photograph against different backdrops.
Winter Constellations
January is an excellent time to photograph the winter constellations. Orion, with its prominent belt, is a favorite among astrophotographers. Capture Orion rising in the eastern sky, with Betelgeuse and Rigel shining as bright cornerstones. The constellation Taurus, with the red giant Aldebaran, and the Pleiades star cluster (also known as the Seven Sisters) are nearby, offering additional subjects for wide-field astrophotography.
Use a tracking mount to capture long exposures without star trails, allowing for detailed images of these constellations. North Carolina's clear winter nights provide ideal conditions for such photography, with less atmospheric turbulence compared to other seasons.
Close Approach of Venus and Saturn on January 19
On January 19, two bright planets will meet in the evening sky! At 01:26 GMT, Venus (mag -4.6) and Saturn (mag 1.1) will pass within 2°12′ of each other in the constellation Aquarius. Both planets will be visible to the naked eye for a few hours after sunset. Plus, they’ll join a planetary alignment around January 21, which will also include Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune.
Jupiter and Saturn
While Jupiter skips its opposition in 2025, it remains a dominant evening object, visible in the southwestern sky after sunset. Saturn, with its stunning ring system, is also visible nearby. These gas giants offer excellent targets for both wide-angle shots and telescopic imaging.
Photographers can capture these planets along with their moons, especially during evenings when the sky is particularly clear. Including the planets in a landscape shot, perhaps over one of North Carolina's coastal areas or mountain vistas, can create a striking image that highlights the beauty of both Earth and sky.
Conclusion
January 2025 is a promising month for astronomical photography in North Carolina. With Mars at opposition, the Quadrantid meteor shower, and brilliant views of Venus, there are myriad opportunities to capture stunning celestial events. As always, planning is key—check local weather forecasts and light pollution maps to find the best times and locations for shooting. Keep your equipment ready, dress warmly, and enjoy the crisp, clear skies of North Carolina as you embark on your photographic adventures. Keep following Juxtaposed Tides for more monthly guides, and may your images of the cosmos be as limitless as your imagination. Subscribe to get next months Celestial What to Shoot straight to your inbox
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