Today:
Venus has started its decent toward the horizon from its peak last month. Even so, it is well placed for a delightful conjunction with the slender waxing Crescent Moon in the western twilight this evening. They emerge between 5:45 and 6:00 PM, when Venus shines one quarter of the way up. They remain an engaging sight for another hour, and then get ready to set, the Moon at 7:50, and Venus one half hour later.
Sunday:
Orion is an easy target, even on a moonlit night. Tonight, the lack of moonlight might give you an opportunity to see a fainter feature of our winter Giant. Look below his three belt stars, where a fainter line marks his sword. The very end of the sword is a little fuzzy, because it is not a star but a vast region of glowing gas and dust, called a nebula.
Monday:
Looking directly below Venus on the next clear evening, try to find as low and level a view to the west as possible. Bright but low appears the swift, elusive planet Mercury. The Sun’s nearest planet will climb higher through the 8th, when it makes its best evening appearance of 2025, while Venus edges lower, making the display that much more delightful for star gazers.