Sunrise Sunset

Fri., Dec. 31 7:08 4:20

Sat., Jan. 1 7:08 4:21

Sun., Jan. 2 7:08 4:22

Mon., Jan. 3 7:08 4:23

Tues., Jan. 4 7:08 4:24

Wed., Jan. 5 7:08 4:25

Thurs., Jan. 6 7:08 4:26

Fri., Jan. 7 7:08 4:27

The week ahead offers a rare opportunity for those who have never seen the distant planet Uranus. Uranus is only barely visible to the unaided eye, but can be seen with binoculars.

The brightest planet of the night, Jupiter, acts as the perfect guide for finding it. If you can find Jupiter, you’ll also see the faint distant planet Uranus nearby. The two are only half a degree apart in the coming week.

Through binoculars the two distant planets appears side by side: Uranus appears just above Jupiter and to the left. Uranus has a blue and greenish tint.

Both planets are in the zodiacal constellation Pisces and will be there for a while. It takes Uranus on average about seven years to pass from one constellation to the next. It takes Jupiter about one year. It is a rare moment when the two are together. The next time will be in at least another 15 years.

Venus and Saturn

The bright planet Venus is high in the southeastern sky before sunrise. The planet outshines all other planets and stars. Venus is in the zodiacal constellation Libra. The ringed-planet Saturn appears high above Venus. Saturn is in the constellation Virgo. It rises in the east around midnight.

M.A.L.