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.
Mars is at its solar conjunction on October 7, 2021. It begins a slow return into the morning sky. By year’s end it appears low in the southeastern sky with the moon.
September 13, 2021: Mercury reaches greatest elongation tonight. It is a challenge to see in the bright twilight.
September 7 & 8, 2021: The crescent moon, emerging from bright sunlight after its New moon phase, appears near Mercury on these evenings. On September 8, use a binocular to find the crescent 5.0° to the upper right of the speedy planet.
September 6, 2021: Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn shine in the evening sky. The moon is at its New moon phase at 7:52 p.m. CDT.
August 31, 2021: The morning moon is caught between the Bull’s Horns. During the evening three bright planets – Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn – sparkle in the sky.
August 27, 2021: The bright moon is near Aries in the morning sky. Look for Venus and Mercury shortly after sunset.
August 22, 2021: Brilliant Evening Star Venus continues to step through Virgo after sundown. It is to the lower left of Spica and near Porrima and Zaniah.
August 21, 2021: Bright Jupiter is near the Blue Moon this evening. The lunar term has several definitions.
August 20, 2021: Five bright planets are visible after sunset this evening. During the next few evenings, a month before the Harvest Moon, get a preview of the harvest moon effect.