We've been enjoying the brilliant planet Saturn in the evening sky. The planet is both close and convenient to spot. Look in the southeastern sky about an hour or so after sunset and you'll see the planet pretty much by itself. There is no confusing Saturn with any other object in that area of the sky. Saturn is the brightest.

We've enjoyed looking at the planet through a telescope. The rings are a dramatic sight when compared to any other planet in the sky.

If you are a little unsure you are looking at the planet, wait until next Monday night. A big near full moon will appear right near the distant planet. Both are in the zodiacal constellation Aquarius.

The next day, Tuesday, September 17, is the Harvest Moon. It's a big full moon. Astronomers have calculated that the moon will be just one day short of being in perigee (September 18), thus closer to the earth than at any other time during its 28 day orbit. The moon will be 222,005 miles away. The average distance is 238,000 miles.

Will the moon look bigger? Just looking at the moon as it rises in the east looks big. The first day of autumn isn't until Sunday, September 22.