Sunrise Sunset

Fri., Sept. 24 6:30 6:36

Sat., Sept. 25 6:31 6:34

Sun., Sept. 26 6:32 6:32

Mon., Sept. 27 6:33 6:30

Tues., Sept. 28 6:34 6:29

Wed., Sept. 29 6:35 6:27

Thurs., Sept. 30 6:36 6:25

Fri., Oct. 1 6:37 6:24

Our two nearest neighboring planets are now low in the western sky after sunset. Venus, which was a beacon all summer, is now so close to the horizon at dusk that it is difficult to find. Mars is faint and nearby.

In places with a great view of the western sky, including at Menemsha Beach or along the north shore, Venus and Mars are still sentinels above the Elizabeth Islands. Venus is 35 million miles away and getting closer. Venus is the brightest and the easiest to see of the two planets. By mid-October Venus will be almost completely out of view and will be 29.76 million miles away. The planet then slips into our morning sky in November.

Mars, coasting along in the western sky, will soon be difficult to spot as it moves closer to the sun’s glare. Astronomers estimate Mars is 204 million miles away. Mars will appear in our morning sky early next year.

The easiest planet to spot is Jupiter, rising in the eastern sky after sunset. Jupiter is brilliant, and larger than all the other visible planets combined. Jupiter remains in the sky all night. Early risers should look to the west, where they may view Jupiter as it is about to set.

— M.A.L.