Mercury, the most difficult to see visible planet appears low in the southwestern sky after sunset this weekend and for the rest of the month. Mercury is a challenge to spot because it is always so close to either the rising or setting sun. There is help next week. The thin crescent moon will help you find it low in the west on Tuesday evening, a short time after sunset.

Find the crescent moon and look a short distance above and to your left.

For those watching sunset Menemsha on Tuesday night, stick around for an hour and enjoy the scene as it unfolds. The light of dusk will take over and fade and the fairly bright planet Mercury appears just above the moon. The fainter star nearby is Regulus, the principal star in the zodiacal constellation Leo.

Jupiter

The large planet Jupiter is the easiest planet to spot in the evening sky and there is plenty of time. Just look high above the southwestern sky after darkness has set in. Jupiter is the brightest object in the sky, other than the moon. Its appearance commands attention and it won’t set until close to midnight.