• Tim Johnson

Saturn and Venus

The planets Saturn and Venus will be so close together Sunday night, you may miss it. The planets will be only a half degree apart, so close that the sight requires special attention.

Both planets are low in the southwestern sky right after sunset. The two will be amid the glow of twilight. As the night darkens, Venus will continue to brighten, looking almost like an airplane coming in with landing lights on. Take a more careful look at Venus for Saturn.

The scene is made even more impressive if you have a clear view of the horizon. A very young crescent moon lies underneath the two.

Look again on Monday night. The two planets will appear farther apart, easier to spot the two. Adding to the show, the waxing crescent moon will be higher, above and to the left.

With weather often working against us, take another opportunity to see the two planets into next week. Their separation will be noticeably different every night. Still, they are close.

Sunrise and Sunset
Day 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
Temperatures and Precipitations
Day Max (Fº) Min (Fº) Inches
Jan. 13 55 41 1.23
Jan. 14 53 37 0.52
Jan. 15 39 35 0.20
Jan. 16 35 33 0.31
Jan. 17 37 29 0.11
Jan. 18 47 36 0.00
Jan. 19 52 37 0.00

 

Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 43º F

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