Saturday 1st January to 7th 2022.
Welcome to the year 2022.
The number 2022 is an even composite number ie it can be divided evenly by more numbers than 1 and itself, or opposite to a prime number (Prime numbers are numbers that have only 2 factors: 1 and themselves), but 2022 is comprised of 3 prime numbers multiplied together, math is the basis for almost all things astronomical alongside physics and chemistry.
The morning skies will become the predominant target for the first few months of this year as we head towards being able to see 5 planets visible by March with the naked eye.
Starting in the WSW half an hour after sunset where we should espy Mercury 5 degrees up. Once found, from tonight, watch the slightly faint, but detectable orange Saturn move closer and closer to Mercury over the week. Tonight, half an hour after sunset, it can be found 15 degrees above midway between West and WSW and 15 degrees above and eastwards of Mercury. By 8.30pm, Jupiter will sit 20 degrees above the Western vista
By Friday next, 10 degrees up and only 5 degrees from Mercury; Tuesday will see them split by the 4% Moon.
By 8.30pm, Jupiter will sit 20 degrees above the Western vista, it too be split from Saturn by the Moon on Wednesday.
By Thursday, just after sunset, say 8.10pm, there is a good opportunity for photographing the above planets and the Moon in a nice line from the beach or risen location.
For morning viewers, an hour before sunrise will position Mars 10 degrees above the ESE horizon, with the bright star Antares in in Scorpio, 7 degrees westwards.
Astronomy West 
Leave a comment