2024, November 30: See 3 Planets after Sunset

November 30, 2024: Three bright planets are visible after sunset – Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter.  The are along an arc from the east-northeast to the southwest.

Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Regulus, October 25, 2015
Photo Caption – Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Regulus, October 25, 2015

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by Jeffrey L. Hunt

Chicago, Illinois: Sunrise, 6:58 a.m. CDT; Sunset, 4:21 p.m. CST.  Check local sources for sunrise and sunset times. Times are calculated by the US Naval Observatory’s MICA computer program.

During November daylight decreased 57 to today’s 9 hours, 23 minutes.  During the next three weeks, sunlight diminishes another 15 minutes.

See 3 Planets

Step outside about 90 minutes after sunset.  This is near the end of evening twilight.  Three bright planets – Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter – are visible along the imaginary arc of the ecliptic, the plane of the solar system.

Here’s how to see them:

Venus

Three planets after sunset
Chart Caption – 2024, November 30: At 90 minutes after sunset, Venus is 10° above the southwest horizon.

Brilliant Venus is that bright star in the southwestern sky after sunset.  It can be found as early as 30 minutes after nightfall.  As darkness falls, the planet appears lower.  By 90 minutes after the sun sets, it is 10° above the eastern horizon.

Three planets after sunset
Chart Caption – 2024, November 30: At 90 minutes after sunset, Venus is 10° above the southwest horizon.

Through a telescope, the planet displays a phase 68% illuminated, an evening gibbous.

Jupiter

Three planets after sunset
Chart Caption – 2024, November 30: At the end of evening twilight, Jupiter is in the east-northeast nearly between Aldebaran and Elnath.

At the same hour, bright Jupiter is 10° above the east-northeast horizon.  It is in front of Taurus, 8.5° to Aldebaran’s lower left, the Bull’s brightest star, and 8.3° to Elnath’s lower right, the northern horn.

Jupiter retrogrades, appears to move westward, as Earth overtakes the more-distant planet.  Earth passes between the Jovian Giant and the sun on December 7th, rising at sunset and shines in the sky all night.

Venus and Jupiter were 180° apart on November 3rd, when Venus set as Jupiter rose.  Venus is setting later and Jupiter rises earlier.  Tonight, they are about 145° apart in the sky.

Three planets after sunset
Chart Caption – 2024, November 30: Through a telescope, Jupiter’s four largest moons are easy to see.

Through a telescope tonight, its four largest satellites are easy to see.  The moons revolve in the plane of the planet’s equator.

Saturn

Three planets after sunset
Chart Caption – 2024, November 30: Saturn is in the southern sky during the evening hours.

Saturn is between Venus and Jupiter, 50° east of the Evening Star.  It is in front of Aquarius’ dim stars.  The Ringed Wonder is moving eastward after its retrograde ended two weeks ago.

Three planets after sunset
Chart Caption – 2024, November 30: Through a telescope, some of Saturn’s largest moons are visible, especially Titan, the planet’s largest moons. The rings are dimmer than might be expected as they are nearly edge on.

Through a telescope several satellites are visible, especially Titan, Saturn’s largest moon.  However, the rings are not as prominent as usual because we are seeing them nearly edge on.

Trace the Ecliptic

Notice that the three bright planets are along an imaginary arc. Point at Jupiter and sweep your arm westward toward Venus.  The action includes Saturn. They lie along the ecliptic.

The gap between Jupiter and Venus closes until Venus disappears into sunlight early next year.  Venus passes Saturn on January 18th.

Mars Joins Them Next Month

Watch these three planets in the sky after sunset. Mars joins them after December 12th when Venus and the Red Planet are 180° apart.

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