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.
Sky Watching
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, October 20: Mercury, Morning Planet
October 20, 2021: Mercury is brightening in the morning sky. Brilliant Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn are in the evening sky. The bright moon starts the evening low in the eastern sky.
2021, October 19: Four Bright Planets
October 19, 2021: Four bright planets are visible during a twenty-four-hour interval. Mercury is in the morning sky, while Venus, Saturn and Jupiter are joined by a nearly full moon.
2021, October 18: Jupiter’s Retrograde Ends
October 18, 2021: Jupiter’s illusion of retrograde motion ends today. Arcturus is appearing in the morning sky along with Mercury. The planet pack – Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter – and the moon are in the evening sky.
2021, October 17: Arcturus, Mercury, Morning, Evening Planet Pack
October 17, 2021: Arcturus is making its first morning appearance in the eastern sky before sunrise, while Mercury is beginning its best morning appearance of the year. The gibbous moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus are strung across the sky after sundown.
2021, October 16: Morning Binocular View, Evening Planet Pack
October 16, 2021: Use a binocular to scan the morning sky. Brilliant Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter continue to gleam in the evening sky. Venus passes Antares in the southwestern sky. The gibbous moon joins Jupiter and Saturn in the southeast.
2021, October 16: Morning Stars
October 16, 2021: At the beginning of morning twilight, the bright stars of the Orion region of the sky shine brightly from the southern sky.
2021, October 15: Venus, Antares, Al Niyat
October 15, 2021: Brilliant Evening Star Venus is near the star Antares this evening after sunset. Another star in Scorpius, Al Niyat, along with Venus and Antares mark the corners of a small celestial triangle.