Sunrise Sunset

Fri., Oct. 24 7:03 5:47

Sat., Oct. 25 7:04 5:46

Sun., Oct. 26 7:06 5:44

Mon., Oct. 27 7:07 5:43

Tues., Oct. 28 7:08 5:41

Wed., Oct. 29 7:09 5:40

Thurs., Oct. 30 7:10 5:39

Fri., Oct. 31 7:12 5:38

The bright planet Venus hangs low in the southwestern sky tonight. Venus has appeared nightly in the southwest for weeks now but the show improves. Venus is moving farther from the glare of the setting sun and is easier to spot in darker skies.

More and more Vineyarders will see this brilliant planet as we get into winter. Venus is moving through Scorpius, the southernmost zodiacal constellation. It is near the constellation’s principal red star Antares. While one of the brightest stars in the evening sky, Antares appears faint compared to Venus. So bright, Venus looks like an airplane approaching the Vineyard airport with its runway lights on.

The show gets even better next Friday night, Halloween night. A thin crescent moon appears right under Venus.

Jupiter and Saturn

The bright planet Jupiter appears high in the southern sky for a lot longer than Venus and sets late in the evening. Jupiter is in the zodiacal constellation Sagittarius. The relationship between Venus and Jupiter is worth watching all the way to December, as they will get closer and closer together.

The ringed-planet Saturn is a bright morning planet. Saturn rises in the east more than an hour before the sun. It resides in the zodiacal constellation Leo.

M.A.L.