May 16, 2026: Saturn emerges from morning twilight while brilliant Venus advances toward Jupiter after sunset. Learn where to find the bright planets.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Chicago, Illinois: Sunrise, 5:30 a.m. CDT; Sunset, 8:05 p.m. CDT. Times are calculated by the US Naval Observatory’s MICA computer program. Check local sources for sunrise and sunset times.
Venus as an Evening Star
Three Bright Planets
Three bright planets – Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn – are visible during the nighttime hours.
Saturn Before Sunrise
Before sunrise, Saturn – emerging from bright morning twilight – is low in the eastern sky, less than 10° above the horizon. Each morning it is slightly higher and noticeably easier to see from week to week.
The Ringed Wonder is too low in the sky for favorable telescopic visibility. Near the horizon, thicker air blurs the view.
Venus, Jupiter After Sunset
After sunset, Venus shines brilliantly from the west-northwest. Easily visible shortly after sunset, the Evening Star dominates the night sky. One hour after sunset, it is 15° above the horizon. Nearing the Gemini constellation boundary, the planet steps eastward in front of Taurus, 6.1° to Elnath’s upper left, one of the Bull’s horns.
Venus’ quick eastward step is carrying it toward Jupiter, over 23° to the upper left. Venus passes the Jovian Giant on June 9. They look close together in the sky, although in space, Jupiter is over four times farther from Earth than Venus.
The Jovian Giant is over 30° above the west horizon. It slowly rambles eastward in front of Gemini, 6.6° to Pollux’s lower left, one of the Twins.
Tonight, Venus sets over 2.5 hours after sunset, and Jupiter sets over two hours later.
The moon is at the New phase today at 3:10 p.m. Central Time, beginning lunation 1279 – the number of lunar cycles since the count began over a century ago. Beginning in two evenings, the moon passes the evening planets. Mercury joins the scene on May 24.
Before sunrise, look for Saturn. After sunset, watch the bright planet display change from night to night.
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