The stars that make up the Winter Hexagon are some of the brightest in the night sky and January evenings are a great time to enjoy their sparkly splendor. The Winter Hexagon is a group of star, called an asterism, that is so large that the six stars that make up its points are also the brightest members of six different constellations, making the Hexagon a great starting point for learning the winter sky.

To find the Hexagon, look east after sunset and find the bright red star that forms the “left shoulder” of the constellation Orion: Betelgeuse. You can think of Betelgeuse as the center of a large irregular clock, with the Winter Hexagon stars as the clock’s hour numbers. Move diagonally across Orion to spot its “right foot,” the bright star Rigel. Now move clockwise from Rigel to the brightest star in the night sky: Sirius in Canis Major. Continue ticking along clockwise to Procyon in Canis Minor and then towards Pollux, the brighter of the Gemini twins. Keep moving around the circuit to find Capella in Auriga, and finish at orange Aldebaran, the “eye” of the V-shaped face of Taurus the Bull.

This year, the Winter Hexagon will feature a guest performance from Jupiter, which will be in opposition to the Sun on January 10. That means that Jupiter is directly opposite from the Sun in Earth’s sky. Not only will it be closer to Earth, it will be fully illuminated by the sun, making it extra bright. Conveniently, Jupiter will be in the Gemini constellation, not far from the triple star system Delta Geminorum and the invisible line from Betelguese to Pollux in the Winter Hexagon. Four of Jupiter’s moons—Callisto, Europa, Io, and Ganymede—will be lined up and visible with binoculars. Telescope viewing will reveal even more detail. Callisto will pass in front of Jupiter, known as a transit, during opposition around midnight on from January 9th to 10th. Callisto will cover its own shadow!

Winter skies are ideal for clear stargazing with early sunsets and less hazy humidity in the sky. The Winter Hexagon offers an excellent opportunity to explore six constellations and a very showy planet to the naked eye. Amateur and advanced viewers alike will find something unique to view.