I’m not really a morning person (and some of us around here definitely aren’t!), but this month’s early morning sky is making it a bit easier to get out of bed before sunrise. January 2016 begins with the Moon and Venus and Saturn forming a nice cozy group in the eastern sky about an hour before sunrise on Wednesday the 6th–don’t miss it!

Here’s the view as you look towards the rising Sun. Although you can’t tell from the image, the Moon is in its waning crescent phase and will look a bit like a capital letter C.  To the lower right of Venus and Saturn, you may see the bright red-giant star Antares.

In the coming weeks, there will be more good things to see in the morning sky… but this will get you started. Don’t hit that snooze button–grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!