NASA reports that Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars will align in the night sky this month.

Bea Karnes and Patch Staff

SACRAMENTO, CA — Skygazers are in for a special celestial treat with this year’s full wolf moon on Monday night if sky conditions in Sacramento cooperate. Right now, the forecast calls for clear skies.

The moon will pass directly in front of Mars, combining with the bright star Pollux to create a stunning view. Mars is one of four planets lining up this month in a rare four-planet conjunction.

Below is all you need to know about taking it all in.

The moon reaches peak illumination at 2:27 p.m. PST Monday. Once it peeks over the horizon, it’s time to start watching for the magic. Times vary by region, according to NASA, whose times are localized to the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Throughout January, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars will align in the night sky, according to NASA.

Find out what's happening in Sacramentofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Just after sunset, look southwest and find Venus and Saturn low in the sky. Jupiter shines brightly above them, and Mars glows in the eastern sky. They’re all visible to the naked eye during clear conditions, but a telescope may reveal two other planets, Uranus and Neptune.

Because the planets align along the ecliptic, the solar system’s orbital plane, they appear to seem close together from Earth, NASA explains.

Each evening in January, Venus and Saturn will appear closer together, appearing the closest on Jan. 17-18 before gradually moving apart. NASA says the rare event offers a great opportunity for skywatchers to observe planetary movement.

January’s full moon is known as the wolf moon. Wolves seem to howl more at this time of year as the snow and cold of winter set in. According to lore, wolves howled because they were starving.

That’s not the case, though.

The truth reveals the complexity of wolves’ social lives.

“Howling is for long-distance communication to pull a pack back together and keep strangers away,” according to the National Wildlife Federation.

Howling is just one of the ways wolves communicate. They also use body language, mark their territories with scent, and bark and growl. Much of their communication is about reinforcing the social hierarchy of the pack, according to the NWF.

This communication also includes submissive behavior. A wolf not willing to challenge the hierarchy will often crouch and whimper, tuck in its tail, lick the other wolf’s mouth or roll over on its back, the organization said. If the opposite is true and a wolf wants to challenge the status quo, it will often growl and lay its ears back.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

People across Northern California are mobilizing -- in whatever ways they can -- to help those impacted by the devastating fires burning in Southern California. Some are even drawing from their own experience as they do so.

“This one, it just seems so bad that I can't just sit still and do nothing,” said Patti Martin, of East Sacramento Thursday. “Some of my Camp Fire friends and I have decided to really go in on this one.”

Martin is organizing a donation drive for fire victims of the multiple fires burning across Los Angeles County. She shared after a serious health scare years ago; she swore she’d commit herself to helping and serving others if she could recover.

A friend, she said, reached out in 2015 for help following the Butte Fire, prompting a decade of service to those across the state recovering from wildfires.

“I've never been impacted, thankfully,” she said. “I've been doing it ever since with all the fires in Northern California since then.”

After posting on social media Wednesday night, by Thursday morning dozens of donations had already been dropped off at her home. She said she had dozens more pickups scheduled for the afternoon.

“We're seeing calls for help down in Southern California,” said Katie Hepler, who runs a fire victim support page on Facebook.

Hepler started the page after her own experience with California wildfires, knowing firsthand what the kindness and efforts of strangers can mean to someone who has lost everything to fire.

“That group has a significant amount of survivors from, gosh, probably any fire you could name within the last seven years: Camp Fire, Butte Fire, anything out in Santa Rosa, Shasta County,” she said. “When there's questions posted, you get a lot of different viewpoints from different people who just have literally been through it.”

And as these fires rage hundreds of miles away, people – like Hepler -- are ready to help, knowing just how hard it all is.

“Roughly ten years ago the Butte Fire, which started in Amador County and moved into Calaveras County, swept through my hometown of Mountain Ranch,” she said. “My parents lost everything they had. A lot of people I know lost everything they had, but that jumped me into just volunteering and grassroots efforts.”

It was in the aftermath of the Butte Fire that Hepler met Martin.

“She's part of what we call our ‘fire family,’” Hepler said. “Unfortunately, the fire family in California is continually growing, but it's also with knowledge and support and it's an amazing group of people.”

The items, she said, will be loaded into a semitruck in the next week or so and be driven down by a team of grassroots volunteers to support those in need.

Martin encouraged anyone interested in supporting their efforts to reach out to her, providing her cell phone to those who wish to participate. She said they are in need of new camping gear, hygiene products, paper towels, diapers, wipes, pet supplies, sustainable snacks and gift cards.

Martin can be reached at 916-271-8210.

More on California wildfires

Sacramento, CA (January 9, 2025) – A tragic pedestrian accident on Interstate 5 North near Sutterville Road resulted in a fatality early Tuesday morning. The incident was first reported at approximately 5:10 AM, prompting an immediate response from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and emergency services.

The crash involved a pedestrian crossing the highway lanes and a white Volvo semi-truck, which reportedly struck the individual in the #4 lane. CHP officials stated that the pedestrian was observed walking against traffic and crossing lanes before the collision occurred. Witnesses indicated that the body appeared to have been struck multiple times by passing vehicles.

Following the accident, all northbound lanes were closed, and a SigAlert was issued, warning drivers to expect significant delays. The coroner was dispatched to the scene, and cleanup crews worked to clear a large debris field. Traffic remained at a standstill for several hours as investigators documented the scene and coordinated with Caltrans to establish a hard closure of the area.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation, and it is unclear why the pedestrian was on the freeway. Authorities are working to gather additional information and determine the circumstances leading to this fatal event. Motorists are urged to exercise caution and avoid distractions, especially in high-traffic areas or zones with ongoing investigations.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time.

Pedestrian Accidents in California

California’s highways and freeways are not designed for pedestrian traffic, making incidents like this one especially hazardous. Pedestrian-involved accidents on highways often result in severe or fatal injuries due to high speeds and limited visibility. Factors contributing to such incidents can include impairment, mental health crises, or attempts to cross roadways improperly.

To improve safety, drivers should remain alert for unexpected hazards, especially in low-light conditions or areas with reduced visibility. Pedestrians are urged to avoid walking on or near highways, as these environments pose significant risks to their safety.

If you or someone you know has been affected by a pedestrian accident, seeking legal guidance and support can help navigate the challenges ahead.

For more information or to receive help after an accident, contact Local Accident Reports. If you or someone you know has been injured in a crash, reach out to Local Accident Reports for assistance.

Driving in Yolo County? A pair of Highway 50 ramps will be closed for 55 hours due to construction, according to Caltrans.

The roadwork in West Sacramento is scheduled to kick off ahead of the weekend.

“The extended lane closures will help to minimize the duration of the work and improve workers’ safety,” the California Department of Transportation said in a news release.

“Caltrans urges motorists to plan for additional travel time and to expect delays,” the agency said.

The Yolo Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 50 Pavement Rehabilitation Project aims to “rehabilitate and repair” the roadway in and around West Sacramento, Caltrans said.

“The condition of the pavement has degraded, resulting in a poor quality of ride and increasing maintenance,” the agency said on its website.

The construction zone on Interstate 80 stretches from 1.4 miles east of Mace Boulevard to Pioneer Bridge. Work is also being done on Highway 50, from Interstate 80 to the Jefferson Boulevard overcrossing.

The $280 million project includes $47 million in funding from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, Caltrans said.

According to Caltrans, the work zone is from just west of the Yolo Causeway through Interstate 80 and Highway 50 in West Sacramento.

The Enterprise Boulevard on- and off-ramps to eastbound Highway 50 will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, through 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13.

Drivers can take the following alternative routes to avoid roadwork, Caltrans said:

Caltrans said the speed limit in the construction zone has been reduced to 55 mph to protect “the safety of workers and motorists.”

California Vehicle Code 22362 says it is illegal to exceed the posted speed limit in construction zones, even when workers are not present.

On highways, the speed limit is reduced by 10 mph, and in some areas, it can be as low as 25 mph.

Motorists caught speeding can receive tickets, with fines varying based on their speed.

Caltrans has several tips for driving safely in construction zones. They include:

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.

This story was originally published January 9, 2025 at 10:42 AM.

A late-night 3.0-magnitude earthquake shook the Monterey Bay area in California, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The 4-mile deep quake was centered on Aromas at 9:10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8,, according to the USGS.

More than 100 people from as far away as Sacramento and San Francisco reported feeling the tremor.

Aromas is about a 30-mile drive northeast from Monterey.

Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey says. It replaces the old Richter scale.

Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause much damage, according to Michigan Tech. Quakes below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.

Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. They can happen anywhere, but they’re most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

If an earthquake strikes, it’s best to protect yourself right away. Here are tips from experts:

The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.

“Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy,” officials say. “If you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops.”

Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.

Once under a table, officials say you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.

“There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines,” officials say. “Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock.”