While it is true many have been hooked on skywatching for life by viewing the wonders of the night sky through their first scope, it is also true many others have had their initial enthusiasm for astronomy dampened, particularly if they didn't know how to properly use it, writes David Reneke from Australasian Science Magazine.

With so many inviting targets overhead what can you expect to see? The Moon of course is one object that never fails to impress. During mid-January it provides even the basic amateur a perfect target.  Just make sure you’re away from lights. A telescope can keep you busy on the Moon forever. I’m living proof of that.

If you’ve got a camera in your smart phone hold it close to the eyepiece, move it around until you see the Moon’s disc and click. You might get your first astro pic.

Get set for a few months of sky gems. Not only do we have the best night skies in the world but we’re also going to be treated to a few sights that will give the whole family a buzz. One in particular nobody alive has ever seen before.

First up, look for Mars and Jupiter paired together in the east just before dawn. Saturn returned to the morning sky at the start of January and will continue to move higher in the eastern sky.

We’re being treated to a nice meteor shower called the ‘Eta Carinids’ from January 14 to 27. Orion, the hunter, is now high in the north-eastern sky and easily located by the three bright stars that form his belt.

Now, get ready for this. January 31 will feature a very rare celestial occurrence as a blue moon coincides with a full ‘supermoon’. A total lunar eclipse will also be visible for our part of the world on the night of the super blue moon as the moon passes directly through the Earth’s shadow. The Moon will turn a cherry red.

Nobody alive has ever seen all this together. The last one occurred back in March 1866 and you won’t get another chance to see it again until December 31, 2028.