For those who rise early tomorrow morning there is a pretty scene over the eastern sky, an hour or more before sunrise. A thin crescent moon appears right next to the bright planet Jupiter. The two are in the zodiacal constellation Gemini.

On Sunday morning the moon is closer to the horizon and above the red planet Mars. On Monday morning the moon is a thinner crescent and underneath Mars. Both are in the zodiacal constellation Cancer.

Mars and Jupiter are distinctly different in brightness. Jupiter is the far brighter, while Mars is a dull red.

Venus and Spica

The brightest planet in our sky, Venus, is now high enough in the west after sunset to be seen by just about everyone. For much of the summer, Venus has been so low that it has usually been hidden below the tree line. Now the planet is high and an impressive sight amid the light of twilight.

When the Sharks played their championship game of the season, spectators got a good view of the planet high in the west after sunset. Venus was brilliant amid the red glow of twilight.

Next week Venus has a companion when it appears above and near the bright star Spica. Spica is the brightest and principal star in the zodiacal constellation Virgo. Look at these two celestial objects together and note that Spica is no match to the far brighter planet.

Venus will continue in its ascent above the horizon. In mid-September, Venus will appear next to Saturn which is high in the western sky after sunset