Venus and Mars This Morning, December 11, 2015

Brilliant Venus gleams from the southeastern sky this morning.  Dimmer Mars is distinctly reddish, appears 20 degrees to the upper right of Venus.  In 10 days, Mars passes Spica.  This morning Mars is about 8 degrees to the upper right of the star. For more information about the morning planets: For more about the planets in the morning … Continue reading Venus and Mars This Morning, December 11, 2015

Mars Passes Spica, December 21, 2015

The eastward parade of planets continues in the southeastern sky during December.  On December 21, Mars passes about 3.5 degrees from the star Spica.  Venus was near Spica at the end of November. Venus continues to be the brightest "star" in the morning sky with Jupiter the next brightest.  These two bright planets are nearly 60 degrees … Continue reading Mars Passes Spica, December 21, 2015

December’s Morning Planets 2015

The morning celestial ballet of the moon and planets continues during December. Looking east during early December, Bright planets Venus and Jupiter dominate the eastern morning sky,  Early in the month, the moon appears among these planets.  On the morning of December 4,  The crescent moon appears near Jupiter (about 4 degrees to the lower left of Jupiter.) … Continue reading December’s Morning Planets 2015

Change of Latitude

 It's those changes in latitudes, Changes in attitudes nothing remains quite the same. With all of our running and all of our cunning, If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane. Jimmy Buffett   A recent trip took this chronicler and his brother (known herein as Brother Trucker) to Key West, Florida.  The visit … Continue reading Change of Latitude

Venus Passes Spica, November 30, 2015

Brilliant Morning Star Venus continues its eastward orbital motion compared to the starry background.  On the morning of November 30, 2015, the brilliant planet passes about 4 degrees from Spica.  Two other planets, Mars and Jupiter, appear above Venus.  Mars is 14 degrees to the upper right of Venus and Jupiter is nearly 20 degrees beyond … Continue reading Venus Passes Spica, November 30, 2015

Venus, Mars & Jupiter. November 3, 2015

Brilliant Morning Star Venus passes Mars this morning as seen from the Chicago area. The planets are 3/4 degree (41 arc minutes)  apart.  Bright Jupiter is  7 degrees to the upper right of Venus.  The planets continue their eastward movement against the starry background.  On the morning of November 7, the moon appears 1.5 degrees to … Continue reading Venus, Mars & Jupiter. November 3, 2015

Venus Passes Mars, November 2, 2015

Brilliant Morning Star Venus is passing Mars in the eastern sky as seen from the Chicago area. This morning they are 3/4 degree (47') apart.  Tomorrow they are closest.  Bright Jupiter is 6.5 degrees to the upper right of Venus. For more information about the planets in the morning sky: A Sky Full of Planets in … Continue reading Venus Passes Mars, November 2, 2015

Venus, Mars & Jupiter, November 1, 2015

Brilliant Morning Star Venus shines near Mars this morning as seen from the Chicago area.  This morning they are 1 degree apart.  Watch Venus pass the Red Planet during the next two mornings.  Bright Jupiter appears 7 degrees to the upper right of Jupiter. For more information about the planets in the morning sky: A Sky … Continue reading Venus, Mars & Jupiter, November 1, 2015

Recent Venus-Jupiter Conjunctions

October 25, 2015 -- Morning Sky June 30, 2015 -- Evening Sky August 18, 2014 -- Morning Sky May 27, 2013 -- Evening Sky July 4, 2012 -- Morning Sky (Not a true conjunction.  Venus rapidly moves into morning sky but does not catch Jupiter before reversing is direction and moving eastward among the stars. … Continue reading Recent Venus-Jupiter Conjunctions