The brightest planet in our western sky is descending closer and closer towards the horizon. Throughout the winter Jupiter was high in our evening sky. It drew attention by being so brilliant and so high. That is changing with the changing seasons.

On Wednesday night Jupiter appears close to the setting crescent moon. The two are a pair in the zodiacal constellation Aries. You can note that the creasent moon, is like a bowl, capable of holding water. This is the time of year, near spring. Among astronomy folklorists this time of year is notable. This crescent moon is called a wet moon, for it looks like the bowl can hold water, when at other times the moon is tilted and won't hold anything.

Those edges of the crescent moon are called horns. The spring-time crescent also gets the name Cheshire Moon, for the crescent looks like one large smile.

In the weeks ahead Jupiter will continue to appear closer to the horizon. Behind it is the zodiacal constellation Taurus, another winter constellation. While days are getting longer and the temperature outside is moderating, the best evidence of spring is still more easily noted in the evening sky.