Today:
The Twins have temporarily become triplets in the eastern skies. The Twins refer to the “twin” stars of Castor and Pollux, representing the mythical twin brothers known as the constellation Gemini. To their lower right shines Mars, in line with them tonight, but changing as Mars continues to their right, beforing pausing near February 20th, then moving back for another alignment on April 10th.
Saturday:
For the next few nights, an excellent planetary encounter – a conjunction – graces the southwestern skies, featuring the dazzling Venus, and the iconic Saturn. Saturn begins to the lower left of Venus, and through the next four nights remains about the same distance, but appears lower each night, eventually sliding below Venus on the 20th. The display begins in the late stages of twilight near 6 o’clock, the pair setting by 8:30 PM.
Sunday:
Looking overhead at 9:05 PM this evening, you’ll find the fourth brightest star we can see from our northern latitudes, the outstanding Capella. Below Capella, Orion is unmistakable, while the red star Aldebaran sparkles to Orion’s right, and to the left are the Twins of Gemini.