Volume 19 -- Issue 02 Planet Watch -- February 2013 Mercury has its best evening viewing for this year during February as it will be visible over the western horizon at sunset for most of the month. Watch for Mercury to pass Mars on the evening of the 8th, and then reach greatest eastern elongation on the 16th. Venus is rising earlier each morning - moving closer to the Sun, and so this may be the last time to view it as a morning planet. Superior conjunction is at the end of next month. Mars sets within about 1 hour after the Sun sets and is very low over the southwestern horizon. Jupiter is well above the eastern horizon after sunset and shining brightly near the reddish star Aldebaran and the stars of the open cluster, the Hyades. Saturn rises around midnight local time and is visible above the southern horizon at sunrise.