Moon and Mars low in southwest after sunset January 12

North Americans might be able to catch the thin waxing crescent moon pairing up with the planet Mars in the southwestern sky after sunset on January 12, 2013. Elsewhere at northerly latitudes – for example, Europe, northern Africa and Asia – the moon will be harder spot because it’ll be lower in the sky and set sooner after the sun. Likewise, tonight’s view will be tough to spot from Earth’s Southern Hemisphere, where the moon and Mars are lower in the sky after sunset. After today, though, a larger waxing crescent moon will climb higher up into the sky as seen from the whole Earth. It’ll also stay later after sunset. So if you miss the moon after sunset this evening, try again on January 13.
Although the red planet Mars shines as brightly as the brightest stars in Earth’s sky, its luster is likely to be tarnished by the murky glow of evening twilight. You should be able to see Mars with your eye alone, but, if your sky conditions aren’t ideal, try using binoculars to see Mars, the fourth planet outward from the sun and the next planet outward from Earth. At the present time, our faster-moving Earth is leaving Mars in the dust, in the race of the planets around the sun. Because of this, we are seeing Mars sink into the glare of sunset day by day. Technically, Mars won’t be leaving our evening sky until April 18, 2013 – the day on which Mars is most directly behind the sun as seen from Earth – but this world will fade from view way before then. The moon is a different story altogether. It’ll stay out later after sunset every night for the next couple of weeks. In other words, it’s a waxing moon, growing larger in phase and staying out longer each evening. When the full moon finally arrives on the night of January 26/27, the moon will appear perfectly round in our sky and be shining all night long.

fuente, earthsky