When the Curves Line Up

July 27, 2023: Jupiter and Saturn are visible during morning twilight.  The evening gibbous moon is near the forehead of Scorpius. See the accompanying article: 2023, July 27: Morning Planets, Scorpion Moon

July 26, 2023: Orion, winter’s flagship constellation, first appears in the east before sunrise during late July.  Mercury passes Venus during bright evening twilight. See the accompanying article 2023, July 26: Orion’s Appearance, Venus-Mercury Conjunction

2023:  The night’s brightest star makes its first appearance, heliacal rising, before sunrise in the east-southeast.  The dates of first appearance depend on latitude and local weather. See the accompanying article 2023: Helical Rising of Sirius

July 25, 2023: Jupiter and Saturn are visible during morning twilight. Venus rushes toward inferior conjunction.  The First Quarter moon is in the southwest as night falls. See the accompanying article 2023, July 25: Bright Morning Planets, Venus Rushes, Evening Moon

July 24, 2023: The evening moon appears near Spica.  The views of Venus, Mercury, and Mars are affected by bright evening Twilight.  Jupiter and Saturn are visible before sunrise. See the accompanying article 2023, July 24: Spiked Moon, Evening Twilight Horseplay

July 23, 2023: The evening planet activity is losing Venus, the bright beacon in the western sky.  Use a binocular to see Mercury, Mars, and Regulus. Jupiter and Saturn are visible before sunrise. See the accompanying article 2023, July 23: Venus Slips into Bright Twilight

July 22, 2023: Venus begins to retrograde in the sky as it overtakes our planet. It appears with Mercury, Mars, Moon, and Regulus after sundown.  Jupiter and Saturn are visible before sunup. See the accompanying article 2023, July 22:  Venus Retrogrades, Evening Planet Brigade

July 21, 2023:  Jupiter and Saturn are visible before sunrise. Brilliant Venus and the crescent moon are easy to see as night falls.  Use a binocular to Mercury and Mars. See the accompanying article 2023, July 21: Five Bright Planets

July 20, 2023: Not until 2053 are Venus, Mars, Moon, and Regulus this close together. See the accompanying article 2023, July 20: Rare Venus, Mars, Moon, Regulus Gathering

July 19, 2023:  Venus, Mercury, Mars, crescent Moon, and the star Regulus are gathered in the western sky after nightfall. See the accompanying article 2023, July 19: A Western Planet Bunch

July 18, 2023: After sunset, use a binocular to locate Venus, Mercury, Mars, and the crescent moon.  Before sunrise, it is easy to see Jupiter and Saturn. See the accompanying article 2023, July 18: Three Evening Planets, Moon

July 17, 2023: Five planets – Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn – are visible during nighttime hours.  The Scorpion crawls across the southern horizon during the evening. Read the article 2023, July 17: Scorpion Season

July 16, 2023: Venus is closest to the star Regulus after sunset tonight.  The planet does not pass the star, but a quasi-conjunction occurs. Read the accompanying article 2023, July 16: Venus-Regulus Quasi-Conjunction

June 21, 2023:  The solstice occurs today, signaling the beginning of astronomical summer in the northern latitudes. From the Americas, not until 2028 will Venus, Mars, and the moon appear this close. See the accompanying article ⁠ 2023, July 15: Gored Moon, Evening Planet Jam

July 14, 2023: A thin lunar crescent is in the eastern sky before sunrise.  Mercury begins to join Venus and Mars in the evening planet dance. See the accompanying article 2023, July 14: Thin Morning Crescent, Evening Planets Dance

July 13, 2023: Before sunrise, the moon pairs with the Pleiades star cluster in the eastern sky.  After sunset, Venus and Mars continue their dance with Regulus. See the accompanying article 2023, July 13: Gorgeous Moon-Pleaides Conjunction, Evening Planet Dance

July 12, 2023:  Summer begins on Mars today.  The morning crescent moon appears between Jupiter and Pleiades.  Venus and Mars dance with Regulus after sundown. See the accompanying article 2023, July 12: Martian Summer, Morning Moon, Evening Planet Shuffle

July 11, 2023: The crescent moon and Jupiter make a pretty conjunction before sunrise in the eastern sky.  Venus and Mars continue their planet shuffle with Regulus. See the accompanying article 2023, July 11: Pretty Jupiter-Moon Conjunction, Evening Planet Shuffle

July 10, 2023: Mars passes closely to Regulus in the western sky after nightfall in a biennial event.  Venus, Mars, and Regulus make a compact grouping. See the accompanying article 2023, July 10: Mars-Regulus Conjunction

July 9, 2023: This evening, look for a close gathering of Venus, Mars, and Regulus in the western sky after sundown. Please see the accompanying article 2023, July 9:  Venus, Mars, Gather with Regulus

July 8, 2023: The gibbous moon appears near Neptune through a binocular during early morning hours.  Venus and Mars gather with Regulus after sundown. Read the accompanying article 2023, July 8:  Moon Visits Neptune, Evening Planet Gathering

July 7, 2023: The gibbous moon is near Saturn in the southern sky before sunrise.  Brilliant Venus is with Mars and Regulus in the west after sundown. Read the accompanying article 2023, July 7:  Moon Greets Saturn, Brilliant Venus

July 6, 2023: Earth is at aphelion today, its farthest point from the sun. Brilliant Venus sparkles in the western sky after nightfall. Read the accompanying article 2023, July 6: Earth’s Aphelion, Brilliant Evening Star

July 5, 2023: Each morning, the gibbous moon is closer to Saturn.  Venus and Mars continue their planet shuffle with Regulus. Read the accompanying article 2023, July 5: Moon Aims at Saturn, Evening Planet Shuffle

July 4, 2023: The bright moon is in the southern sky before sunrise with Saturn.  Jupiter is in the eastern sky at this hour. See the accompanying article: 2023, July 4: Bright Moon, Morning Planets