Sunrise Sunset

Fri., Feb. 22 6:27 5:23

Sat., Feb. 23 6:26 5:24

Sun., Feb. 24 6:24 5:25

Mon., Feb. 25 6:23 5:26

Tues., Feb. 26 6:21 5:28

Wed., Feb. 27 6:20 5:29

Thurs., Feb. 28 6:18 5:30

Fri., Feb. 29 6:18 5:31

The ringed planet Saturn is closest to the Earth this weekend. The distant planet is in opposition and about 778 million miles away. Its position in the sky is the best part. Saturn rises in the east with the setting of the sun and remains viewable through the night. Saturn is high, almost overhead, at midnight and sets in the west at sunrise.

Saturn is in the zodiacal constellation Leo and to the east of the principal star Regulus. No star is as bright as Saturn in that area of the sky.

Mercury, Venus and Jupiter

Mercury, usually the most difficult planet to spot, this weekend gets really easy. Mercury appears above Venus in the morning sky.

Venus is low in the southeastern sky just before sunrise. Find Venus and Mercury is right next to it, only a few degrees away.

Mercury is always a challenge to spot. The planet is so close to the sun it rarely wanders very far from the sun’s glare. Mercury can be visible only over a matter of days.

M.A.L.