Washington, D.C
What’s up in the sky? What DC stargazers should watch for in January – WTOP News
Welcome to WTOP’s inaugural monthly feature of “What’s up in the sky?” Here’s what D.C. stargazers can watch for regarding the moon, stars and planets in January.
“What’s up in the sky?” is a recurring feature and publishes on the first of every month. You can find it on WTOP’s The Space Place. Email Greg your space questions and he might answer them in the next edition.
Welcome to WTOP’s inaugural monthly feature of “What’s up in the sky?” Each month will feature the best the sky has to offer stargazers regarding the moon, planets and stars and space-related events that might interest you taking place in the D.C. region will be included as well.
Maybe you got lucky with Santa and you have new binoculars, an astronomy app and/or telescope to usher in a year of stargazing. If not, it is never too late to get equipped!
Let’s get to the sky for January 2025!
The internet has headlines about what is being hailed as a rare “January 25 parade of planet.” The online stories are full of hype and inaccuracies and some even focus more on astrology than astronomy.
The real deal is that January 2025 is a very exciting month and start to the New Year for stargazers.
Must-see sky sights for January
The bright and glorious constellations of winter will greet you as soon as it gets dark. Take some time to find Orion the Hunter, Taurus the Bull, Gemini the Twins and others.
Jan. 2-3: Quadrantid Meteor Shower
Jan. 3: The crescent moon and bright Venus pair up in the Southwestern sky at dusk. Look for Earthshine on the moon.
Jan. 4: The waxing crescent moon and Saturn pair up high in the Southwestern sky at dusk
Jan. 9: The waxing gibbous moon is in the Pleiades Star Cluster. Binoculars are recommended to see this one.
Jan. 10: The waxing gibbous moon and Jupiter pair up high in the East.
Jan. 12: Mars is closest to Earth 9 a.m. at 59,703,891 miles.
Jan. 13-14: This is the highlight of the month as the moon occults (covers) Mars. Check the list to see the closest city to your location. Be outside before the time listed. Binoculars and telescopes are ideal for this event. Mars disappears at 9:16 p.m. in D.C. and reappears at 10:30 p.m.
Jan. 15-16: Mars is at opposition in the Eastern sky at sunset and visible all night.
Jan. 17: Venus pairs up with Saturn in the Southwestern sky at dusk.
Jan. 17: Bright and reddish-orange Mars lines up with the two brightest stars in Gemini, the Twins — Castor and Pollux — for an eye catching sight of the three of them in a line in the East.
Jan. 31: The waxing crescent moon will be to the lower right of Saturn with Venus above at dusk.
Jan. 31: Once again Mars and the two brightest stars in Gemini, the Twins — Castor and Pollux — join up, this time for an impressive triangle formed by the three of them in the East.
The moon
Jan. 6: First quarter
Jan. 13: January’s full moon is called the full wolf moon
Jan. 21: Last quarter
Jan. 29: New moon
The planets
In January, Mercury is low in the Southeast sky about an hour before sunrise and binoculars will help immensely to find the bright yellowish planet.
Venus blazes above the southwest horizon as it gets dark, you can’t miss it.
Earth is at perihelion (closest to the Sun for the year) on Jan. 4 at 8 a.m. 147,103,686 km.
Mars is closest to the Earth and at its brightest this month and is quite the sight. Mars rises in the East at 8 p.m. as the month begins but reaches opposition, which is directly opposite the Sun and rising at sunset on Jan. 15. In a small telescope some surface features can be spotted and identified with this nifty tool.
Jupiter is bright and located high in the sky all month, only the moon and Venus are brighter than the king of the planets. A pair of 7×50 binoculars will show the four main moons of Jupiter looking like “stars” in a line which constantly changes. You can identify the moons by using this link. A small telescope can reveal features in Jupiter’s atmosphere.
Saturn is high in the southwestern sky. A small telescope will show that Saturn’s rings are currently almost edge on, which is quite the sight.
Uranus can be spotted with binoculars using this star chart to locate it. In small telescopes you can detect the color of the planet but not much else.
Neptune needs a telescope to be viewed and it is worth seeing its deep blue color.
Pluto is way out there in the solar system and requires taking images through a telescope spaced days apart to hunt it down.
DC-area events
January events at Virginia State Parks can be found here.
The NOVAC General Meeting will be at George Mason University at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 12.
The National Capital Astronomers will have its meeting at 7 p.m. on Jan. 11. The topic will be “On the Trail of the Missing Galaxies: The Oldest Stars in the Neighborhood” and will be led by Thomas Brown (STScI), On the Trail of the Missing Galaxies: The Oldest Stars in the Neighborhood.
The Analemma Society will be holding Friday Night Public Viewing Sessions at Observatory Park at Turner Farm in Great Falls, Virginia, from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
The Smithsonian Air & Space in D.C. and Chantilly has a lot of astronomy-related stuff in January.
You can check here and here for astronomy clubs that are outside the DMV.
Added bonus
Download NASA’s 2025 Science calendar, which features out of this world pictures and information.
The Planetary Society’s Space Events 2025 Calendar is another resource for tracking space missions.
Use this useful tool to create a custom star chart for your location to help you find your way around the stars.
You can also send in any space related questions to my email address. Suggestions about this feature are also welcome.
You are starting off 2025 right by enjoying the beauty and serenity of the night sky … and you will be glad you did.
Follow Greg Redfern on Facebook, Bluesky and his daily blog to keep up with the latest news in astronomy and space exploration.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
© 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
Washington, D.C
5 injured in Washington DC shooting after 'dispute between known parties'
Five people were injured in a shooting in Washington DC following a “dispute between known parties”, police said. The injured included four men and a woman.
The incident occurred in the 1500 block of Harry Thomas Way NE. Preliminary investigation by police said four people – three men and a woman – were found “conscious and breathing” and rushed to a hospital.
“Shooting investigation in the 1500 block of Harry Thomas Way NE. Preliminary: Adult male and adult female located at the scene, transported conscious and breathing. Two additional adult males arrived at a hospital, both conscious and breathing,” Washington DC Police Department wrote on X.
Police said a fifth patient, a male, was also injured in the incident. “Preliminarily, this shooting stemmed from a dispute between known parties,” police added.
The shooting came three days after the US was rocked by three attacks on New Year’s Day.
A suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a US Army veteran, rammed a crowd in New Orleans with a truck and then opened fire at people, killing 15 and injuring at least 30 others. He was subsequently killed in a shootout with police after the incident.
Hours after the New Orleans attack, Matthew Livelsberger, a 37-year-old Armyman, died after he blew up a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. Police said Livelsberger died from a self-inflicting gun wound.
In a third incident, at least 11 people were injured in a mass shooting at a nightclub in Queens in New York City.
Washington, D.C
Heightened security, road closures in DC for Jan. 6 vote counting, Carter funeral
Expect to see more police officers and road closures in Washington, D.C., over the next few days as the city prepares for the certification of the presidential election at the Capitol and the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter.
“I want to be very clear that we will not tolerate any violence, rioting, destruction of property or any behavior that threatens the safety and security of our city,” Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said at a news conference D.C. authorities held Friday.
Fencing is up around the U.S. Capitol and will remain in place until the inauguration on Jan. 20.
While officials say there are no credible threats, security will be high next week given the deadly terrorist attack in New Orleans and the car explosion in Las Vegas.
Road closures around the Capitol building are in effect Friday night through Monday for the counting and certification of electoral votes taking place Monday.
Closures will then expand down Pennsylvania Avenue on Tuesday for the motorcade carrying Carter from Join Base Andrews to the U.S Navy Memorial. Then, a public procession will take Carter from the memorial to the Capitol Tuesday afternoon.
Drivers should expect widespread road closures on Thursday for Carter’s funeral, especially surrounding the Washington National Cathedral in Northwest.
Security will also be enhanced above the city.
“I advise everyone that the Secret Service will use drones as part of our comprehensive security plan. Do not be alarmed if you see these assets during the upcoming events or training in the days ahead,” said William McCool, the special agent in charge for the U.S. Secret Service Washington Field Office.
While authorities said there’s no known threat, they are concerned about the potential for a lone wolf attack. A suspect who planted two pipe bombs near the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. That person was never caught.
“We’re absolutely concerned that person is still on the loose and at large. Those were two viable devices left, not only outside of the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters, but in a neighborhood where people work and live and we have had a consistent effort alongside our partners to try to identify that person. That is going to remain a threat until we can identify that person,” said David Sundberg, assistant director in charge for the FBI Washington Field Office.
Road Closures
The following roads will close at about 8 p.m. on Friday:
- First Street between Constitution Avenue, NW, and Independence Avenue, SW
- Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd Street, NW, and First Street, NW
- Maryland Avenue between 3rd Street, SW, and First Street, SW
These roads are closed starting 7 a.m. Monday:
- First Street between Constitution Avenue, NE, and Independence Avenue, SE
- East Capitol Street between First Street and 2nd Street
- Constitution Avenue between Louisiana Avenue, NW, and 2nd Street, NE
- Independence Avenue between Washington Avenue, SW, and 2nd Street, SE
- D Street between First Street, NE, and 2nd Street, NE
- Maryland Avenue between First Street, NE, and Constitution Avenue, NE
- First Street between Louisiana Avenue, NW, and Constitution Avenue, NW
The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic from 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday at 4:30 a.m.:
- 13th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 12th Street from E Street to Independence Avenue, SW
- 11th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- 10th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- 9th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- 8th Street from E Street to D Street, NW
- 7th Street from E Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
- 6th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- 5th Street from E Street to D Street, NW
- 4th Street from D Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
- 3rd Street from E Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
- Northbound 3rd Street Tunnel Exit 9 toward US Capitol
- 2nd Street from C Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- 1st Street from E Street, NW to Maryland Avenue, SW
- New Jersey Avenue from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- Louisiana Avenue from Columbus Circle, NE to Constitution Avenue, NW
- Delaware Avenue from Columbus Circle to Constitution Avenue, NE
- North Capitol Street from E Street to D Street, NW
- 1st Street from Columbus Circle, NE to Independence Avenue, SE
- D Street from 9th Street NW to 2nd Street, NE
- Indiana Avenue from 7th Street to 3rd Street, NW
- C Street from 6th Street to New Jersey Avenue, NW
- Pennsylvania Avenue from 14th Street to 1st Street, NW
- Constitution Avenue from 14th Street NW to 2nd Street, NE
- Madison Drive from 14th Street to 3rd Street, NW
- Jefferson Drive from 14th Street to 3rd Street, SW
- Maryland Avenue from Independence Avenue to 1st Street, SW
The following streets will close on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
- Independence Avenue from Washington Avenue, SW to 2nd Street, SE
The following streets will close on Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m.:
- 8th Street from F Street to E Street, NW
- F Street from 9th Street to 7th Street, NW
- E Street 10th Street to 6th Street, NW
The following street will be closed intermediately on Thursday from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
- Calvert Street from 29th Street to Connecticut Avenue, NW
The following streets will be closed on Thursday from 12:01 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
- Garfield Street from Massachusetts Avenue, NW to 34th Street, NW
- 34th Street from Woodley Road to Garfield Street, NW
- Woodley Road from Wisconsin Avenue to 34th Street, NW
- Wisconsin Avenue from Lowell Street to Massachusetts Avenue, NW
- Cathedral Avenue from Massachusetts Avenue to Wisconsin Avenue, NW
The following streets will be open for local traffic only on Thursday from 12:01 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
- Garfield Street from 34th Street to 32nd Street, NW
- Woodland Drive from Garfield Street to 32nd Street, NW
- 33rd Place from Cathedral Avenue to Garfield Street, NW
- Cleveland Avenue from 34th Street to 32nd Street, NW
- Cathedral Avenue from 34th Street to 32nd Street, NW
- Klingle Road from 34th Street to 32nd Street, NW
- Woodley Road from 33th Street to 32nd Street, NW
- 34th Street from Macomb Street to Woodley Road, NW
- 35th Street from Lowell Street to Woodley Road, NW
- 36th Street from Lowell Street to Woodley Road, NW
- Wisconsin Avenue from Macomb Street, NW to Lowell Street, NW
- Woodley Road from 38th Street to Wisconsin Avenue, NW
- 36th Street from Garfield Street to Massachusetts Avenue, NW
- 35th Street from Garfield Street to Fulton Street, NW
- 34th Place from Garfield Street to Fulton Street, NW
- 34th Street from Garfield Street to Fulton Street, NW
Parking restrictions
The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking from Saturday at 12:01 a.m. through Wednesday at 4:30 a.m.:
- 13th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 12th Street from E Street to Madison Drive, NW
- 11th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 10th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- 9th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- 8th Street from F Street to D Street, NW
- 7th Street from E Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
- 6th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- 5th Street from E Street to D Street, NW
- 4th Street from E Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
- 3rd Street from E Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
- 2nd Street from C Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- 1st Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- New Jersey Avenue from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- Louisiana Avenue from Columbus Circle, NE to Constitution Avenue, NW
- Delaware Avenue from Columbus Circle to Constitution Avenue, NE
- North Capitol Street from E Street to D Street, NW
- 1st Street from Columbus Circle, NE to Independence Avenue, SE
- F Street from 9th Street to 7th Street, NW
- E Street 10th Street, NW 6th Street, NW
- D Street from 9th Street NW to 1st Street, NE
- Indiana Avenue from 7th Street to 3rd Street, NW
- C Street from 6th Street to New Jersey Avenue, NW
- Pennsylvania Avenue from 14th Street to 1st Street, NW
- Constitution Avenue from 14th Street NW to 2nd Street, NE
- Madison Drive from 14th Street to 3rd Street, NW
- Jefferson Drive from 14th Street to 3rd Street, SW
- Maryland Avenue from Independence Avenue to 1st Street, SW
- Independence Avenue from Washington Avenue, SW to 2nd Street, SE
The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking on Thursday from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
- Calvert Street from 28th Street to Shoreham Drive, NW
Washington, D.C
DC officials brace for high-profile events for Congress vote, Trump inauguration
Pickup truck attack in New Orleans kills at least 10
At least 10 people were killed and more than 30 injured when a pickup truck barreled into crowded Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day.
WASHINGTON – Authorities in the nation’s capital are bracing for a series of high-profile events starting Friday, implementing tighter security after the fatal vehicle attack in New Orleans this week.
The events include Congress reconvening on Friday, lawmakers counting Electoral College votes on Monday, the late President Jimmy Carter lying in state at the Capitol Tuesday through Thursday and President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
“We have already been ramping up security, as planned, ahead of a busy month at the U.S. Capitol,” the U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement Thursday.
The Metropolitan Police Department heightened its security posture across the city “out of an abundance of caution” after the New Orleans attack, although there is no known threat to the city, according to Paris Lewbel, the department’s deputy director of communications.
“While we do not discuss specifics regarding operations, tactics, or staffing, the community will notice an increased police presence throughout the city,” Lewbel said.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser scheduled a news conference for 11 a.m. Friday to discuss capital security.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security declared the counting of Electoral College votes on Monday as a “national security event,” based on a request from Bowser, after a riot during that event in 2021 led to charges against more than 1,500 people. The inauguration is also considered a national security event. City officials said in September that they had been planning for it for months.
The designation calls for significant resources in a coordinated security plan by federal, state and local officials.
Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said at a news conference with the mayor on Nov. 12 that the city hoped to have 4,000 police officers from other agencies to help provide security for the inauguration. She said city officials would meet with federal counterparts to share intelligence for the election certification on Monday and for the inauguration later this month.
In a Maryland suburb northwest of D.C., Montgomery County police said their department has a mutual aid agreement with U.S. Capitol Police and D.C. Metropolitan Police and “will provide assistance when asked.”
The FBI is investigating the New Orleans incident as “an act of terrorism” but officials said Thursday the driver, who was shot and killed by local police, apparently acted alone. Authorities have not found links between that attack and the explosion of a truck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Signs of tighter security for the upcoming events were apparent after the installation of chain-link fencing around the Capitol. Fencing has routinely been placed around the historic building following the riot on Jan. 6, 2021, which led to a temporary halt in Congress counting Electoral College votes. Security fencing is traditionally erected for the inauguration, with the Metropolitan Police Department taking the lead.
“While there is no known threat to the District of Columbia, out of an abundance of caution, MPD has heightened its security posture across the city in light of recent events,” Lewbel said. “As the nation’s capital, we maintain a heightened level of security at all times to ensure the safety of our residents, businesses, and visitors.”
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