Sunrise Sunset

Fri., July 23 5:26 8:08

Sat., July 24 5:27 8:07

Sun., July 25 5:28 8:06

Mon., July 26 5:29 8:05

Tues., July 27 5:30 8:05

Wed., July 28 5:31 8:04

Thurs., July 29 5:32 8:02

Fri., July 30 5:33 8:01

The appearance of these three planets promises to be a big astronomical event this summer. Take some time to watch in the nights ahead.

Venus, the brightest planet in the west, is easy to spot after sunset, high above the tree line, or over water. Venus is a starting point for seeing Saturn and Mars nearby.

To the left of Venus and slightly up, you will see a yellowish object that looks like a star.

This is Saturn. Mars is a reddish-looking star, nearby, just under Saturn. The three planets form an elongated triangle and they will move closer together over the next few weeks.

By early August, they will form a tight triangle. The fastest-moving planet is Venus. The second fastest is Mars. Saturn, the farthest planet, is nearly stationary amid the field of stars in the zodiacal constellation Virgo.

Ask your favorite astrologer what she thinks of this event.

M.A.L.