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Under a clear sky, Venus and the moon appear about 2 degrees apart as shown in the image above made at 5:50 a.m. from the Chicago area. (To see all the images in this article larger, click them.)
As the sky brightened Mercury came into view above the southeastern horizon, joining Venus, the moon, Saturn and Spica (Virgo). Mercury will soon disappear back into the sun’s brightness to reappear in the evening sky during late February 2013. Two dimmer stars, Zubenelgenubi and Zubeneschamali (Libra), appear in the image as well.
Compare the position of Venus to other objects in these images made within the past few weeks.
- December 5, 2012
- December 1, 2012
- November 27, 2012
For our monthly sky watching posting, click here. Read more about Venus as a Morning Star.