December 17, 2025: Mercury, a thin crescent moon, and Graffias appear in the southeast before sunrise. Jupiter is in the west and Saturn is well-placed after sunset.
Before sunrise, Mercury, the lunar crescent, and Graffias (Beta Scorpii) form a compact scene low in the southeast. Jupiter is in the western sky during morning twilight, while Saturn is in a prime location for evening viewing.
Mercury and Graffias
Mercury is making its best morning appearance of the year. The planet is brightening as it slowly descends into morning twilight after greatest elongation on December 7th.
Step outside about 45 minutes before sunrise and look toward the southeast. Mercury is over 6° above the horizon, below the Scorpion’s claws — Zubenelgenubi and Zubeneschamali — now part of Libra.
Use a binocular to initially locate the planet through the colorful glow of mid-twilight and the thicker air near the horizon that dims and blurs celestial bodies.
This morning:
- Mercury is 3.8° to Graffias’ (Beta Scorpii) lower left.
Once identified, attempt to see Mercury without the optical assist.
Moon
Before sunrise, the lunar orb is low in the southeast as a 6% illuminated waning crescent.
One hour before sunup, it is about 7° above the southeast horizon and 11° to Mercury’s upper right.
The moon continues its eastward motion each morning; during the next few days it moves closer to the sun, reaches its New phase on the 19th, and returns to the evening sky on the 22nd, although experienced sky watchers can see it low in the southwest on the 21st.
Jupiter
Jupiter retrogrades in front of Gemini near Pollux. During morning twilight, it is in the western sky, over one-third of the way from the horizon to overhead for mid-northern latitudes.
Jupiter rises a little over two hours after sunset. It outshines every star in the sky and is easy to locate. The Jovian Giant is south after midnight and sets shortly after sunrise.
Saturn
Saturn is ideally placed for telescopic observing during the evening. As darkness falls, find it nearly halfway up in the south-southeast. Through a telescope the rings are viewed from the side, appearing nearly as a line around the planet — a view that occurs every 15 years. Saturn is about the same brightness as Fomalhaut, nearly 30° to its lower right.
Look for Mercury, Graffias, and the waning crescent moon in the southeast before sunrise.
During morning twilight, Jupiter is in the western sky. After nightfall, Saturn is well-placed for telescopic views.
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