Sunrise Sunset

Fri., June 11 5:06 8:15

Sat., June 12 5:06 8:16

Sun., June 13 5:06 8:16

Mon., June 14 5:06 8:17

Tues., June 15 5:06 8:17

Wed., June 16 5:06 8:17

Thurs., June 17 5:06 8:18

Fri., June 18 5:06 8:18

Next week the crescent moon passes three planets in its trek across the night sky. If you’ve ever sought to find the planets, use the moon as a guide next week.

The moon appears first close to the bright planet Venus on Monday night. The two are low in the western sky and in the zodiacal constellation Cancer. Venus is the brightest planet in the west. The two are easily visible for an hour or so past sunset.

On Wednesday night, the crescent moon has advanced eastward and appears in the zodiacal constellation Leo near the bright red planet Mars. The two are high in the western sky after sunset.

Next Friday night, the moon is farther east, near the ringed-planet Saturn. The two are in Virgo.

Stars of Summer

The bright stars of summer are rising in the eastern sky after dark. Vega, the brightest of them, is in the constellation Lyra. The star is high in the east by 9 p.m. Vega is 25 light years away. The star is one of the first stars to be found with a young solar system.

To the south, there is Altair, the principal star in the constellation Aquila. Altair is closer at 17 light years away.

M.A.L.