August 8-11, 2026: Watch the waning crescent moon pass Mercury and Mars before sunrise. Earthshine, Taurus, Orion, Gemini, and the returning winter stars create a striking morning display.
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2026, August 7: Crescent Moon Near the Pleiades Before Sunrise
August 7, 2026: The crescent moon passes near the Pleiades star cluster before sunrise. Mars shines east of Taurus’ horns while Orion returns to the morning sky.
2025, July 26: Venus Near Zeta Tauri; Crab Nebula and Winter Stars Before Sunrise
July 26, 2025: Venus passes Zeta Tauri in the eastern sky before sunrise, near the Crab Nebula. Winter's bright stars return with Jupiter, Saturn, and the slow-forming planetary display.
2024, August 4: Mars-Aldebaran Conjunction
August 4, 20204: A Mars-Aldebaran conjunction occurs as the Red Planet marches eastward in front of Taurus. Mars is rapidly overtaking Jupiter before sunrise.
2024, August 1: Venus Returns
August 1, 2024: Venus begins a short window of visibility in the western sky after sunset. Three bright outer planets – Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn are visible before sunrise
2024, July 30: Mars-Moon Conjunction
July 30, 2024: A Mars-Moon conjunction occurs in the eastern sky before sunrise. This is visible near Jupiter and in front of Taurus’ rich starfield.
2024, July 29: Pretty Moon-Pleiades Conjunction
July 29, 2024: Before sunrise, look for a Moon-Pleiades conjunction. The planet Uranus is nearby and in the same binocular field of view.
2024, July 28: Morning Bright Outer Planets, Moon, Stars
July 28, 2024: Three bright outer planets, Moon, and famous stars are visible before daybreak. Mercury and Venus are veiled in bright evening twilight.
2024, July 27: Astronomical Events: Planetary Positions and Moon Phases
On July 27, 2024, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and the Moon are visible before sunrise, with Mercury and Venus hiding in bright evening twilight. Mercury is at its farthest point from the sun, known as aphelion, while Venus is slowly moving into the evening sky. Saturn rises less than two hours after sundown.
2024, July 25: See Three Planets and Moon
July 25, 2024: Three planets – Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn – and Moon are easily visible during nighttime hours. Orion continues to enter the eastern morning sky.