Today:
Mercury remains near its best morning view position for the year, low in the southeast, about one hand-width above a level horizon at 6 o’clock, rising to almost two hand-widths by 6:30, as the Sun’s growing twilight overwhelms our swiftest planet. In most years, its 88 day orbit gives us three morning and three evening displays, though often it appears much lower than its current apparition.
Thursday:
Tonight’s half Moon, or Last Quarter, rises in the east at midnight, pushed just ahead of the constellation Virgo. The Moon will ride across the southern sky during the predawn hours. Through mid-morning, it will remain visible in the west-southwest, before setting in the west at around noon tomorrow.
Friday:
Should you look due south at 6 o’clock this evening, once the last of the twilight has been vanquished, Saturn reaches it highest point, close to half way from the horizon to the zenith. Directly above Saturn appears a large square of modestly brighter stars, forming the Great Square of Pegasus. The square forms his chest and shoulders, yet he’s upside down, with his neck and head extending to the right, from the lower right corner.