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    Monthly Diary for 2023

January

 3rd Earth is at nearest point to the sun at 147,000,000km. 1st-4th Quadrantid Meteor Shower - best night 3rd/4th. Orion best seen South between 7.30pm-11.00pm. Mars very bright red 'star' in front of Taurus - the 'V'. Jupiter also very bright to the left of Mars.


February

Orion best seen - now due South between 6.00pm-10.00pm. Seven Sisters is to the right of Orion. Gemini seen as a rectangle to the upper left of Orion with. Mars very bright red 'star' in front of Taurus - the 'V'. Jupiter also very bright to the left of Mars.

March

Last good chance to see Orion & Gemini till next November. Good time to see Leo - backward ‘?’ under the Great Bear which will be high after 8pm. 21st–Spring Equinox (sun will rise due East & set due West. 12 hrs of day). Mars very bright red 'star' moving toward Gemini. Jupiter also very bright to the left of Mars. Venus now visible very low in the West after sunset.


April 

Final sightings of Orion & Seven Sisters in Taurus until October. Best time to see Leo - backward ‘?’ under the Great Bear which will be high up. Lyrid meteor shower around the 22-23rd. Can't miss Venus now in the West after sunset.


May 

Around the 13th, a shower called the Alpha Scorpiids will be seen; 20 meteors per hour. 9th; Transit of Mercury, the planet will appear in front of the sun from 11.12am until 6.42pm. Can't miss Venus now in the West after sunset.

June 

Pluto is at the closest point to the earth on the 28th; just 4,674,000,000 km away.  21st Mid-Summer Day (Longest hours of daylight in northern hemisphere).  All the planet are lined up early morning hours 2.30am.

July

7th - Earth is at farthest point from the sun at 152,000,000km. 4th, 15th -31st Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower - best night 28th/29th. 

August

Around 22nd 1st -17th Perseid Meteor Shower - best nights 11th to 13th - up to 60 shooting stars an hour. 

September

22nd - Autumn Equinox (the sun will rise due East & set due West. 12 hrs of day). 

October

Orion & Taurus now visible from 11pm. 

November

15th–19th Leonid Meteor Shower - best night 17th. Orion & Seven Sisters in Taurus visible from 10.00pm. 

December

Orion & Seven Sisters in Taurus visible from 8.30pm. 9th-15th. Geminid Meteor Shower - best night 13th/14th. Bright meteors, some hit Earth. 21st-Mid-Winter Day (Shortest hrs of daylight in N. hemisphere).