October 23, 2021: This morning the bright moon is near the Pleiades star cluster. Mercury is making its best morning appearance. In the evening sky, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn are easy to spot.
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Tag: Arcturus
2021, October 22, Mercury’s Morning Best, Arcturus
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.
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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.
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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.
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2021, September 22: Autumnal Equinox
September 22, 2021: The sun’s light is most direct at the equator at 2:21 p.m. CDT, signaling the beginning of the autumn season in the northern hemisphere.
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2021, Early July: Hero Highest
July, 2021: During the early evening sky, Hercules is nearly overhead as evening twilight ends. The constellation has a spectacular star cluster.
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2021, Early June: Chasing the Bear
Early June Evenings, 2021: Arcturus, with the constellation Boötes, is high in the south as evening twilight ends. The constellation seems to follow or chase the Big Bear westward. Most people recognize the body and tail of the Bear as the Big Dipper.
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2021, April 24: Evening Star, Bright Mercury, Venus, Mars, Gibbous Moon
April 24, 2021: Brilliant Evening Star Venus and bright Mercury are entering the evening sky. They are low in the west-northwest during evening twilight. The bright moon is in the southeast in Virgo. Mars moves into Gemini as it approaches the star cluster Messier 35.
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2021, March 31: PM Arcturus, Mars, Moon
March 31, 2021: Arcturus rises at sunset and can be found low in the east-northeast an hour later. Mars marches eastward in front of the stars of Taurus. The bright gibbous moon rises low in the east-southeast near midnight.
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