On Monday morning well before sunrise, the gibbous moon appears near the bright red planet Mars. Both are in the zodiacal constellation Libra. The best part about seeing Mars right now is that it has grown brighter, and that will continue. Of all the visible planets in the solar system, Mars experiences the most dramatic range in brightness.

Mars is small compared to other planets in the solar system, smaller than the Earth and only twice the size of our moon. It grows bright when it is close. By late May, it is expected to be as bright as Jupiter.

On Wednesday morning, the last quarter moon appears close to the planet Saturn. Both are in the zodiacal constellation Scorpius and appear low in the southeastern sky. Scorpius is a southern constellation.

Friday night the planet Jupiter is high in the southeastern sky. Jupiter is at the tail end of the zodiacal constellation Leo. The planet is finishing up a one-year stay in the constellation. Jupiter will spend the summer and the year ahead in the zodiacal constellation Virgo. It is the only visible planet in the night sky. All the other visible planets — Saturn, Mars and Venus — are morning planets.