Happy New Year 2021. Here are the astronomy events for January 2021

January 2: Earth at Perihelion

Earth will be about 3 million km closer to the Sun than average. The Earth's distance from the Sun varies by around 3% over the course of the year because its orbit is slightly oval-shaped, following a path called an ellipse.

The Earth completes one revolution around this oval-shaped orbit each year, and so it makes its closest approach to the Sun on roughly the same day every year. In 2021, this falls on 2 January.


January 3-4 Quadrantid meteor shower

2021 is off to a flying start with its first major meteor shower landing on January 2 and 3.
Luckily we're located in the Northern hemisphere so this is advantageous to see what is known as Quadrantids Meteor Shower. If seen, this is a spectacular sight with up to 50-100 meteors produced at its narrow peak.

Dark skies are expected for good viewing after the quarter moon sets just after midnight.
January 10th Conjunction of Mercury and Saturn
Mercury and Saturn will share the same right ascension, with Mercury passing 1°39' to the south of Saturn on 10th January at 21:14 UTC


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