Sunrise Sunset

Fri., Jan. 20 7:03 4:41

Sat., Jan. 21 7:03 4:43

Sun., Jan. 22 7:02 4:44

Mon., Jan. 23 7:01 4:45

Tues., Jan. 24 7:01 4:46

Wed., Jan. 25 7:00 4:48

Thurs., Jan. 26 6:59 4:49

Fri., Jan. 27 6:58 4:50

Venus already looks impressive, but on Tuesday and Wednesday the show is improved with the appearance of the bright thin crescent moon.

The moon will have both cusps pointing up, “to hold water,” as ancient astronomers said. This moon’s tilt brings a sign of impending spring, and it is also called the “wet moon.”

Lucky and observant skywatchers will get an early view of the moon on Monday night, when it appears just above the horizon right after sunset. The moon will be so low, near the horizon after sunset, to be barely visible. Only those with a clear, unobstructed view of the southwestern sky will see it.

Jupiter, Mars and Saturn

The bright planet high in the southern sky at sunset is Jupiter, which is only slightly less bright than Venus. For those up later in the night, the red planet Mars rises in the eastern sky around 11 p.m. but a better view of it comes around midnight when it is higher in the sky. Mars is in the zodiacal constellation Virgo.

The ringed-planet Saturn rises in the east at about 2 a.m. Saturn resides in the zodiacal constellation Virgo.

M.A.L.