Update for Mars and Moon, September 5/6. See more here.
The bright gibbous moon appears near the Mars this morning as a prelude to tonight’s celestial encounter.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
The bright gibbous moon – overexposed in the image above – that is over 90% illuminated this morning appears near the planet Mars.
This evening the moon appears close to the Red Planet as they rise into the sky around 10:30 p.m.
They appear together throughout the night as the lunar orb slowly moves away from Mars.
Farther east, Venus sparkles among the dim stars of Cancer. The Gemini Twins – Castor and Pollux – are to the upper left of Earth’s Twin Planet.
Here is a daily summary about the planets during September.
2021, October 23: Morning Moon Near Pleiades
October 23, 2021: This morning the bright moon is near the Pleiades star cluster. Mercury is making its best morning appearance. In the evening sky, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn are easy to spot.
2021, October 22, Mercury’s Morning Best, Arcturus
October 22. 2021: Speedy Mercury is low in the east before sunrise. It is putting on its best morning performance of the year. Arcturus, in the east-northeast, is about the same altitude as Mercury.
2021, October 21 – November 1: Venus Steps Through Ophiuchus
October 21-November 1, 2021: Brilliant Venus steps through Ophiuchus to the upper left of the star Antares in the southwest after sunset . Afterward, the planet steps farther eastward.
2021, October 21, Bright Morning Moon, Mercury, Evening Planet Pack
October 21, 2021: The bright moon is low in the west about an hour before sunrise. Mercury is in the east at about the same altitude as Arcturus. Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter shine from the evening sky.
2021, December 18: James Webb Space Telescope Launch
December 18, 2021: This is the anticipated launch date of the James Webb Space Telescope, the largest and most sophisticated space telescope view the universe.
Categories: Astronomy, Sky Watching
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