Sunrise Sunset

Fri., July 10 5:16 8:17

Sat., July 11 5:16 8:16

Sun., July 12 5:17 8:16

Mon., July 13 5:18 8:15

Tues., July 14 5:19 8:15

Wed., July 15 5:19 8:14

Thurs., July 16 5:20 8:14

Fri., July 17 5:21 8:13

The ringed planet Saturn appears high in the western sky after sunset. Saturn outshines all the stars in the west; it is in the zodiacal constellation Leo and is moving toward the constellation Virgo.

Jupiter is the easiest planet to spot at night in the constellation Capricornus. Look after 10 p.m. and Jupiter will appear low in the eastern sky. There is no mistaking this brilliant planet, many times brighter than Saturn, and so many times brighter than all other stars in the east. Jupiter is almost as bright as Venus which appears high in the eastern sky just before sunrise.

Venus is the summer’s morning “star.” The planet is brilliant, and looks like an airplane coming in with its landing lights on.

Mars is a dull reddish color and appears just west of Venus. Both Venus and Mars are in the zodiacal constellation Taurus. There is no more striking contrast. Venus is bright white, while Mars is faint red.

Mars is getting closer to the earth. By the end of the year, it will be brighter and opposite the earth, in nearly perfect viewing position. Every two years, the earth passes fairly close to the little red planet. That will happen in January of 2010.

M.A.L.