Looking west this evening at 7:45 p.m. CDT, Jupiter is slightly lower than Venus compared to last night. The separation will continue for several more weeks.  (This image was made with a two second exposure.) After seeing the dazzling display of brilliant planets in the west, Mars is in the east. 

This 30 second time exposure shows Mars through nearby trees.  The light pollution in the Chicago area is so bright that this view seems to make the scene appear like daytime.  To read more about the planets this month, see our monthly update.