Today:
High in the south this evening are two “twin” stars, the Twins of Gemini. The stars of Gemini are the location where the planet Uranus was discovered in March of 1781 by Sir William Herschel. Uranus was last in Gemini between 1950 and 1956. Its 84 year orbit will bring it back here in 2034.
Friday:
The Twins of Gemini remain the hosts of the red planet Mars this month, though you can watch Mars drift to the left or east during the last two weeks of the month. Meanwhile, the waxing Gibbous Moon, well to the right of Mars and Gemini tonight, progresses east much more quickly, encountering Mars tomorrow night, just above our rusty-orange neighboring planet.
Saturday:
This evening Venus again emerges near the western horizon, but unlike last week’s conjunction with the Moon, this evening Venus joins Mercury, reaching its greatest separation from the Sun, placing it at its best for viewing. Mercury’s bright spark of light appears one hand-width to the lower left of Venus, starting near 6:20, best viewed from 6:30 to 6:40, getting lower but not setting until after 7 o’clock.