Today:
A trio of bright objects is climbing into the east and northeast this month, featuring the star Capella, the highest of the trio, a pale yellow hue about one quarter of the way up in the northeast at 7 o’clock. To its lower right, quite spectacular, shines Jupiter, becoming easier to see as it rises higher through the evening. That also brings our third object into better view. The red star Aldebaran sparkles to the right of Jupiter.
Sunday:
As the evening twilight fades between 5 and 5:30, the waxing Gibbous Moon is apparent in the southeast. To its left, nestled within the constellation Aquarius, glows the planet Saturn, famous for its broad, icy band of rings, only visible in telescopes. Saturn appears to slide just to the upper right of the Moon as they track across the southern sky, but it is the Moon actually tracking east, passing below Saturn.
Monday:
The early arrivals of winter’s bright stars are found in the east. Look in the east-northeast at 8:15 to find the twins stars of Gemini easing up into the sky. Castor leads the way, followed by his brother Pollux. This year they play host to our rusty red neighbor, the planet Mars. By waiting until 9:30, Mars rises well below the Twins, 3 to 5 times brighter. Mars tracks toward them through January, getting quite close early next year.