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January 12, 2026Radio: Today’s Episode
The Footstool
A bright “footstool” for the hunter
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Radio: Yesterday’s Episode
Jupiter Opposition IV
Switching direction in the night sky
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Stargazing
The Footstool
Mighty Orion the hunter has a mighty resting spot for his tired feet: Cursa, the second-brightest star of Eridanus, the river. As night falls, the star stands above Orion’s foot, Rigel, the hunter’s brightest star.
Hot Weather
If you long for warm nights of skywatching, look at the summer sky about an hour before sunrise. The stars of summer evenings appear just before dawn in winter. So tomorrow morning, you can see the stars as they will look during July evenings.
Jupiter Opposition II
Jupiter is at its brightest for the entire year today, shining brighter than any other planet or star in the night sky. The twins of Gemini are close by. Pollux, the brighter twin, is close to the left of Jupiter at nightfall. Castor is farther to the upper left.
Moon Phases
At the new Moon phase, the Moon is so close to the Sun in the sky that none of the side facing Earth is illuminated (position 1 in illustration). In other words, the Moon is between Earth and Sun. At first quarter, the half-lit Moon is highest in the sky at sunset, then sets about six hours later (3). At full Moon, the Moon is behind Earth in space with respect to the Sun. As the Sun sets, the Moon rises with the side that faces Earth fully exposed to sunlight (5).
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