Today:
Today the Earth is at perihelion, its closest approach to the Sun, measuring some 147,103,686 km, or 91,405,993 miles. That “slightly” nearer Sun reflects off a waxing Crescent Moon, which will emerge almost on quarter of the way up the southern sky by 5 PM, with Saturn to its lower right, and the much brighter Venus farther to the lower right.
Sunday:
A large, somewhat unusual triangle appears in the southwestern skies, becoming more and more narrow with each passing evening. Venus marks the lower right corner or vertex, while above and a little left you’ll find the planet Saturn. The third object is the star Fomalhaut, to the lower left of both planets. The triangle seems to slowly close over the next 10 days, as Saturn and Venus get ready for a close encounter.
Monday:
Due east at 8:50 this evening, about half-way up from the horizon, the twin stars of Gemini mark the heads of Castor, above, and Pollux, below. The twins have a rich collection of mythology, often as sons of Leda, but having different fathers – Zeus and Tyndareus. Strange? Well, just remember it’s a myth. Joining the Twins, the red planet Mars appears below them, more of a salmon-pink hue.