Sunrise Sunset

Fri., Sept. 10 6:16 7:00

Sat., Sept. 11 6:17 6:58

Sun., Sept. 12 6:18 6:56

Mon., Sept. 13 6:19 6:55

Tues., Sept. 14 6:20 6:53

Wed., Sept. 15 6:21 6:51

Thurs., Sept. 16 6:22 6:49

Fri., Sept. 17 6:23 6:48

A thin crescent moon appears low in the southwestern sky tonight, under the planets Venus and Mars and under the bright star Spica. Those with a clear view of the western horizon have the best chance to see them all together, shortly after sunset. The view is for a short time, for they all set together with twilight two hours after sunset. All are in the zodiacal constellation Virgo.

More Vineyarders have a chance of seeing the moon tomorrow night, when it appears even higher in the west. The moon will be to the left of the brilliant planet Venus and the dull red planet Mars. The three form an elongated triangle, with Venus being in the center.

The bright star Spica is farthest to the right of the three.

On Monday night, the moon advances east along the Zodiac and appears in the constellation Scorpius, not far from the brilliant red star Antares. The two spend the night low in the southern sky.

Jupiter

The biggest planet, Jupiter, rises in the eastern sky as the sun sets. Jupiter will be the most prominent planet in our evening sky this autumn and winter. Venus will disappear from view later this month, leaving Jupiter as the brightest planet in our night sky. It is unmistakably brilliant, glowing in the zodiacal constellation Pisces. While you’d need a telescope to see it, Jupiter is fairly near the distant planet Uranus.

M.A.L.