When the Curves Line Up

August 12, 2021: This evening the crescent moon appears between Venus and Spica as the lunar slice dances eastward. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/08/03/2021-august-12-evening-sky-lunar-dance/

August 11, 2021:  The waxing crescent moon is to the upper left of Evening Star Venus this evening in the western sky. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/08/02/2021-august-11-waxing-moon-evening-star/

Still visible low in the western sky during evening twilight, Venus treks through Virgo during 39 evenings, beginning August 10.  During mid-August attempt to view five planets in the sky simultaneously. The challenging view is with Mercury and Mars that are low in the western sky during very bright twilight. Venus passes Spica on September 5.  A nice grouping of Venus, the moon, and Spi...

August 10, 2021:  The crescent moon is near Venus in the western sky after sunset. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/08/01/2021-august-10-evening-star-venus-crescent-moon/

August 9, 2021: After the New moon yesterday morning, the crescent moon appears in the evening sky during bright twilight near Mars. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/07/31/2021-august-9-evening-moon-mars/

August 3, 2021:  Four planets appear in the evening sky.  Brilliant Evening Star Venus and dim Mars are in the west after sunset.  A little later during the evening, Saturn and Jupiter are easily visible in the southeast. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/07/30/2021-august-3-four-evening-planets-venus-mars-saturn-jupiter/

August 2, 2021: Saturn is at opposition with the sun.  Earth is between the sun and the planet. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/07/29/2021-august-2-saturn-at-opposition/

August 1 – 6, 2021:  The morning moon wanes toward its New moon phase in the eastern sky.  It passes the bright stars that are prominent in the evening sky during the winter season in the northern hemisphere.  The stars have been making their first appearances in the morning sky during summer.  At this hour, Procyon and bright Sirius are the last stellar duo to appear. This epi...

August 6, 2021:  In the northern hemisphere, summer’s midpoint occurs today at 6:27 p.m. CDT. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/07/27/2021-august-6-summers-midpoint/

July 31, 2021:  The slightly gibbous moon, nearing its Last Quarter phase, is in the southeast as morning twilight begins.  It is near the planet Uranus, easily within reach of a binocular.  Mira, a variable star, reaches its brightest next month. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/07/26/2021-july-31-morning-sky-moon-mira-uranus/

July 29, 2021:  In a challenging-to-see conjunction, Mars passes 0.6° to the upper right of the star Regulus. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/07/25/2021-july-29-mars-regulus-conjunction/

July 27, 2021:  Evening Star Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter are in the evening sky.  Mars is nearing its conjunction with Regulus in two evenings. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/07/24/2021-july-27-four-evening-planets/

July 26, 2021:  Four bright planets are in the evening sky.  Mars closes in on Regulus for their conjunction in three evenings.  Brilliant Evening Star Venus appears to the upper left of the impending Mars – Regulus conjunction.  Saturn and Jupiter are low in the southeastern sky after sunset. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/0...

July 25, 2021:  Four evenings before its conjunction with Regulus, find Mars in the western sky to the lower right of Venus.  As the calendar day ends, look for the moon below bright Jupiter. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/07/22/2021-july-25-evening-sky-mars-on-final-approach/

July 24, 2021: After sunset, Venus and Mars are in the western sky.  A little later during evening hours, the moon is near Jupiter and Saturn in the southeast. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/07/21/2021-july-24-four-evening-planets-moon/

July 23, 2021:   Four bright planets are visible during evening hours.  Venus and Mars are in the western sky after sunset.  A little later, the moon is near Saturn and Jupiter in the southeastern sky. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/07/20/2021-july-23-evening-star-venus-mars-regulus-moon-jupiter-saturn/

July 29, 2021:  Jupiter and Mars are 180° apart along the ecliptic.  Dim Mars sets in the west-northwest as Jupiter rises in the east-southeast.  This event signals that soon both appear in the sky simultaneously. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/07/19/2021-july-29-jupiter-mars-opposition/

July 22, 2021:  The planetary square dance continues in the western sky after sunset with Evening Star Venus, Mars, and Regulus. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/07/18/2021-july-22-western-sky-square-dance/

July 21, 2021:  The bright moon is to the upper right of the Teapot of Sagittarius.  Use a binocular to see the dimmer stars with the lunar orb. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/07/17/2021-july-21-moon-teapot/

July 24-27, 2021:  The bright moon passes Saturn and Jupiter in the southwestern sky before sunrise. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/07/16/2021-july-24-27-morning-moon-jupiter-saturn/

July 21, 2021:  Venus passes Regulus this evening in the western sky after sunset. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/07/15/2021-july-21-venus-regulus-conjunction/

July 20, 2021: The five planets are visible during the nighttime hours.  Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury are in the morning sky.  Venus and Mars hang above the western horizon after sunset, followed by Jupiter and Saturn return to the evening sky. The link to this blog post 2021, July 20: A Five-Planet Feast – When the Curves Line Up

July 19, 2021:  Betelgeuse is making its first morning appearance or heliacal rising in the eastern sky. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/07/13/2021-july-19-helical-rising-of-betelgeuse/

July 19, 2021: Gibbous moon is in front of the stars of Scorpius this evening. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/07/12/2021-july-19-gibbous-moon-scorpion/

July 19, 2021:  Venus continues its dance with Mars and Regulus in the western evening sky.  Look for them forty-five minutes after sunset. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2021/07/11/2021-july-19-western-planetary-square-dance/