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.
Tag: Crab Nebula
2024, August 25: Moon Joins Pleiades
August 25, 2024: The moon joins the Pleiades. Find it in the eastern sky before sunrise and in the east-northeast near midnight. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are visible during the night.
2024, March 8: Late Winter Messier Marathon Season
March 8, 2024: With the moon near the New phase, the sky is open for late winter Messier marathon season. Bright Jupiter is visible after sunset.
2023, March 14: Mars-Zeta Tauri Conjunction, Morning Moon
March 14, 2023: Before sunrise, the moon is near Antares, the brightest star in Scorpius. After sundown, Mars passes Zeta Tauri for the third conjunction. The Red Planet is near the Crab Nebula.
2022, October 13: Arcturus near Heliacal Rising, Mars, Crab Nebula
October 13, 2022: Topaz Arcturus nears its heliacal rising. Find it by following the Big Dipper’s handle. Mars appears near the Crab Nebula through a binocular.
2022, October 4: Mars Marches, Moon Approaches Evening Planets
October 4, 2022: Mars slows its eastward march through Taurus, near Zeta Tauri. After sundown, the moon approaches evening planets, Saturn and Jupiter.
2022, October 2: Marching Mars, Steeped Moon
October 2, 2022: Bright Mars is visible high in the southwest before daybreak. After sunset, the First Quarter moon appears in front of the Teapot of Sagittarius.
2022, September 30: Heartful Moon, Bright Planets
September 30, 2022: Before sunrise, bright Jupiter and Mars are easy to spot. After sundown, the crescent moon is near Antares, the Scorpion’s heart.
2022, September 29: Crabby Mars, Scorpion Moon
September 29, 2022: Mars approaches the Crab Nebula before daybreak. The crescent moon is with the classic Scorpion after sundown.
2022, June 13: Mercury Becoming Morning Planet, Evening Antares, Moon
June 13, 2022: Mercury continues its slow entrance into the morning sky to join the predawn planet parade. After sundown, the bright moon is near Antares