Sunrise Sunset

Fri., May 28 5:11 8:06

Sat., May 29 5:11 8:06

Sun., May 30 5:10 8:07

Mon., May 31 5:10 8:08

Tues., June 1 5:09 8:09

Wed., June 2 5:09 8:10

Thurs., June 3 5:08 8:10

Fri., June 4 5:08 8:11

The red planet Mars appears high in the western sky tonight, and near the bright star Regulus. Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation Leo and is distinctly white, almost blueish in color. Put a red planet next to it and the colors of both celestial objects looks more apparent.

Mars gets even closer to Regulus later in the coming week. The two are close, only two degrees apart on Thursday night. Take note. You’ll have no trouble deciding which is Mars and which is Regulus. They get even closer by the end of the week, less than one degree apart.

Often times, we hear the complaint that stars and planets aren’t as distinctly colorful as portrayed in books and articles. Yet this event is reason enough to take another look outside. When Mars is alone amid the stars, it may not look so red. Find this bright planet next to a clearly different color star and Mars shines as a ruby jewel.

Venus

The brightest and easiest planet to spot is Venus, a short time after sunset. The planet appears high in the west after sunset. Venus is in the zodiacal constellation Cancer. The planet stays in the western sky well into the evening. Venus is 102 million miles away and getting closer.

M.A.L.