The Glittery, Bright "Winter Constellations" of Orion, Taurus, Auriga, Gemini, Canis Major, and Canis Minor are best seen during early evening hours in January and February. The last week of January, however, won't be so good for observing these stars due to the bright glare of the moon in the sky. The bright winter constellations happen to include about one-third of the most luminous stars appearing in the night sky. The brightest star of all, Sirius, lies in the constellation of Canis Major. Sirius appears as a scintillating, bluish point of light high over the southeast or south horizon in early evening. The second-brightest star of the night sky, Canopus, can be seen hovering very low over the south horizon whenever Sirius is nearing its highest altitude (about 40 degrees) in the southern sky. For late January this happens around 10pm, and for early February, it occurs around 9pm.

The Waxing Crescent Moon makes its debut in the evening sky on Sunday, January 17. Look low in the west about 15 or 20 minutes after sundown, and you will watch the moon's smiling shape materialize out of the darkening twilight sky.