Saturday morning a thin crescent moon appears close to the planets Venus and Mars. The three form a tight triangle low in the southeastern sky. Jupiter appears above the three. Venus is the brightest of the planets. Mars is the dimmest.

On Monday morning, an even thinner moon appears closer to the horizon and near the bright star Spica, the principal star in the zodical constellation Virgo. Virgo is a constellation we associate with spring and summer. So, while we approach the coldest months of the year, the stars presage the cycle of the seasons and Virgo will return with warmer weather.

This autumn has been especially pretty in the morning, as the planets Venus, Mars and Jupiter have danced around each other in conjunction. It has been a stunning scene. The planets are now separating. Venus is spending mornings closer to the rising sun. Jupiter is appearing higher and higher in the sky, farther away from Venus. The fainter red planet Mars is following behind Jupiter at a far slower rate.

The moon reappears in the western sky late in the coming week. It may be visible as early as next Thursday morning, but surely it will be visible to all on Friday morning.