August 25, 2026: Find Saturn high in the southwest sky before sunrise. Learn when to see the Ringed Wonder, observe its rings through a telescope, and locate Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and the moon during the night.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Chicago, Illinois: Sunrise, 6:09 a.m. CDT; Sunset, 7:35 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
Today’s Highlights
- Saturn Easily Visible
- Jupiter and Mars in Eastern Sky
- Venus Approaches Spica
- Bright Sturgeon Moon
Three Bright Outer Planets Before Sunrise
Saturn rises about two hours after sunset, about the time evening twilight ends. As it rises higher, it becomes an excellent target for telescopic viewing until it disappears into bright morning twilight in the southwestern sky. Social media and amateur astronomy websites are showing excellent photos of the rings and the planet’s southern hemisphere. (For example, see Damian Peach’s images.) Saturn is at opposition, when Earth is between the planet and the sun and the Ringed Wonder is closest to our planet. Find Saturn 45° above the southwest horizon one hour before sunrise.
Farther eastward, Jupiter — returning to the morning sky after its recent solar conjunction — is nearly 10° above the east-northeast horizon and 33° to Mars’ lower left. The Red Planet, over 30° above the east horizon, marches eastward in front of Gemini, 2° to Mebsuta’s right. Use a binocular to initially identify the star at this level of twilight. Mars is approaching Jupiter for a conjunction during November. Watch it pass Castor and Pollux, Gemini’s brightest stars, as it closes the gap to the Jovian Giant.
While looking for Jupiter, find Sirius above the east-southeast horizon. They are about the same altitude, height above the horizon.
Venus Approaches Spica After Sunset
After sunset, brilliant Venus approaches Spica in the west-southwest. At 45 minutes after sunset, find a location with a clear horizon in that direction. The Evening Star is nearly 10° above the horizon and 6.0° to Spica’s lower right. Use a binocular to see them in the same field of view. Venus passes the star on September 1. Each evening, notice that Venus appears closer to Spica.
Gibbous Moon
The gibbous moon, approaching the Full (Sturgeon) Moon in two nights, is in the southeastern sky after sunset. It is over 10° to the lower right of Algedi, Capricornus’ brightest star. The lunar orb is nearly in the sky all night, setting about 90 minutes before daybreak.
Look for Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and the bright moon during the night.
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