Sunrise Sunset

Fri., Dec. 4 6:51 4:11

Sat., Dec. 5 6:52 4:11

Sun., Dec. 6 6:53 4:11

Mon., Dec. 7 6:54 4:11

Tues., Dec. 8 6:55 4:11

Wed., Dec. 9 6:56 4:11

Thurs., Dec. 10 6:57 4:11

Fri., Dec. 11 6:58 4:11

Mars is brightening. The planet glows low in the eastern sky, well after sunset. The gibbous moon appears near the red planet Sunday night for a pleasant view. The two are in the zodiacal constellation Cancer, and are easy to spot after 10 p.m.

At 88 million miles away, Mars is now the nearest celestial object in the sky, except for the moon, and it’s getting closer. By the end of January, Mars will be a mere 61 million miles away.

Venus and Jupiter

The two brightest planets in our sky are at opposite ends of the night. Jupiter appears high in the western sky after sunset. Venus appears low in the eastern sky just before sunrise. If you are looking for a Bethlehem star, for now, you’ve got one in the evening and another in the morning.

Venus is 148 million miles away and getting farther away. You can see Venus low in the eastern sky well before sunrise but will disappear in the glare of the rising sun by the end of December.

Jupiter is 483 million miles away. Though the planet is so distant, its size, 318 times bigger than the Earth, makes it brilliant.

Even though Mars is closer, Jupiter outshines it. Venus outshines all other planets, no matter how big or close. Venus is covered with clouds and reflects light well, making it outshine all the others.

M.A.L.