Sunrise Sunset

Fri., May 2 5:37 7:40

Sat., May 3 5:36 7:41

Sun., May 4 5:34 7:42

Mon., May 5 5:33 7:43

Tues., May 6 5:32 7:44

Wed., May 7 5:31 7:45

Thurs., May 8 5:30 7:46

Fri., May 9 5:28 7:47

Mercury will be superbly placed for viewing in the nights ahead, above the western horizon about an hour after sunset.

Mercury always is difficult to spot, not because it is far or dim, but because it is close to the sun. This weekend, Mercury appears in the west northwestern sky after sunset.

Mercury is the brightest celestial object in that area of the sky until Tuesday night. On that evening, viewers get help finding Mercury from a thin crescent moon which appears as a sliver to the right of the planet.

Tonight the ringed Saturn and the red planet Mars are high in the western sky. Jupiter rises in the east late.

Meteor Shower

Meteors will appear to fall out of the sky this weekend: the Eta Aquarid meteor shower is best viewed a couple of hours before sunrise. Under perfect conditions, you may be able to count as many as 20 meteors in an hour. Seeing half that many is more likely. Meteors from this shower are connected the path of Halley’s Comet. M.A.L.