There are three visible planets in the early morning sky. Mercury, the most difficult planet to spot in our sky throughout the year is visible for a short time in the mornings ahead. Mercury clings close to the horizon at dawn, only a short time at sunup, before sunrise. Mercury is tough. You will likely need binoculars.

There is a pretty good chance you'll get to see Mercury mid-summer when it is in the glow of twilight at the end of the day.

Even if you can't find Mercury look for the planets Mars and Saturn. Mars is higher in the southeastern sky and has a reddish tint. Farther along and higher in the southeast is the planet Saturn. Mars and Saturn are about the same brightness. But it is Mars's reddish color that makes it significantly different from Saturn's yellowish hue.

You can't find Venus these days. Venus is below Mercury and too close to the glare of the sun to be seen. Venus is going to go through a dramatic change in placement in the weeks ahead. Venus will move next month into the evening sky and you could see it later in June, certainly before Fourth of July.