Venus, Moon, Saturn, and Mars This Morning, January 28, 2014

Venus and the moon appeared near each other this morning in the eastern sky as seen from Fairfield County Ohio. (Click the images to see them larger.)  The moon made its first pass with this brilliant Morning Star during the planet’s 2014 morning appearance.  Up close notice that the night portion of the moon is gently illuminated by sunlight reflected from our planet.  This effect is known as “Earthshine.”

Meanwhile, Mars passed 5 degrees north of Spica (Virgo) this morning.  Mars continues to appear in Spica’s vicinity for the next several days.  Saturn is moving farther away from Zubenelgenubi and Zubeneschamli.

Read more about Venus as A Morning Star in 2014.

Read more about the planets this month.