When you want to see the stars, find someplace dark
Over the coming week we will lose Saturn to the Sun’s glare as it slides lower into the sunset. Today the planet is only 13° from the Sun, by the 13th the separation will have diminished to about 10°.
Saturn will pass through superior conjunction on October 24th to re-appear in the dawn sky during early November.
As Mercury rises further from the Sun each day, Saturn is currently sliding into the sunset heading for superior conjunction. The two will pass each other on October 3rd through October 6th. The pair will be closest on October 4th, at a bit over 3° separation. The 5th will see the two quite close at about 3.5° separation. There will be about a magnitude difference in brightness between the two, with Mercury at -0.27 magnitude and Saturn at 0.69 magnitude. At about 15° above the horizon at sunset this will make for a nice pairing in the dusk.
As Mercury rises clear of the Sun’s glare it joins Mars and Saturn in the sunset sky. Tonight the three will form a nice line of planets. Mercury will still be quite low, about 12° from the Sun at sunset. Saturn is next in the line at 19° elevation at sunset. Mars will be over 30° high at sunset. As usual Mars and Saturn are about the same brightness, Mars at 1.2 magnitude, Saturn at 0.72. Mercury will be the brightest at -0.6 magnitude, which will aid in seeing the planets lower in the sunset.
The three will dance in the sunset over the coming weeks with Saturn and Mercury joining up for a close set around October 4th.
A nice conjunction of a crescent Moon, Mars, Saturn and the bright star Spica will grace the evening sky tonight. The quartet will be arranged in a rough square about 4° on side. The two planets and the star will all be about 1st magnitude, with the Moon showing about 25% illuminated.
Mars will pass between Saturn and Spica this evening. Currently moving in retrograde, the red planet will be directly between the ringed planet and the star. All three will be close to 1st magnitude. Saturn and Spica are currently about 4.5° apart. Mars will be just under 2° from the star.
The trio will be close for a couple weeks. On the 21st a thin crescent Moon, 24% illuminated, will join to create a very nice quartet.
Mars is fast approaching a rendezvous with both Saturn and Spica this week. Currently moving in retrograde, the red planet will pass between the ringed planet and the star. All three will be close to 1st magnitude. Saturn and Spica are currently about 4.5° apart. Mars will pass directly between the two on the 13th, just under 2° from the star.
The trio will be close for a couple weeks. On the 21st a thin crescent Moon, 24% illuminated, will join to create a very nice quartet.
A nice conjunction of a crescent Moon, Mars, Saturn and the bright star Spica will grace the evening sky tonight. All four will be within 12° of each other. The two planets and the star will all be about 1st magnitude, with the Moon showing about 37% illuminated.
The same quartet will get together again next month, for an even tighter grouping.
Saturn, the Moon and Spica will form a trio high in the sky at sunset tonight. The three will be within 7° of each other. The gibbous Moon will be 62% illuminated. Saturn will be shining at 0.4 magnitude while Spica is very close to 1.0 magnitude. Look for the planet Mars 25° west of Saturn at about the same brightness.
Saturn, the Moon and Spica form a trio high in the eastern sky at sunset tonight. The three will be within 7° of each other. The Moon will be just short of full, over 85% illuminated. Saturn will be shining at 0.4 magnitude while Spica is very close to 1.0 magnitude. Look for the planet Mars 38° west of Saturn and a bit brighter.
Saturn, the Moon and Spica will rise together in the east after sunset this evening. The three will be within 10° of each other. The Moon will be just short of full, over 94% illuminated as it rises. Saturn will be shining at 0.4 magnitude while Spica is very close to 1.0 magnitude.
Tomorrow night will see the Moon east of Saturn, but still close, just over 10°.