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Volume 20 -- Issue 8
Planet Watch -- September 2014
Mercury stays low above the west to southwestern horizon at sunset during the first half of the month and is not as well
placed for viewing as it is from the southern hemispgere when it reaches eastern elongation. However from the southern hemisphere the angle of
the ecliptic is nearly vertical so Mercury is much higher above the horizon and hence more visible.
Venus continues moving eastward toward the Sun and rising closer to the time of sunrise. By about mid-month Venus
will be too low above the eastern horizon at sunrise to be seen by most observers. This may be about the last month to see
Venus as a morning planet until it reappears on the east side of the Sun in the evening skies toward the end of the year.
Mars stays visible in the evening skies over the southwestern horizon but is gradually setting earlier each evening
and is lower above the horizon at sunset as the month progresses. Watch for Mars to catch up with and pass the reddish star Antares in the Scorpion
toward the end of the month. This may be the last month to see Mars until it reappears on the west side of the Sun in the morning skies.
Jupiter rises a couple of hours before the Sun rises and is visible in the morning skies throughout the month.
Saturn is visible in the evening skies over the southwestern horizon and sets 1-2 hours after local time for sunset.
Saturn occults or passes very close to Ceres, Vesta, and Saturn on the evenings of the 27th-28th.
Lee's Summit, MO 
Mercury stays low above the west to southwestern horizon at sunset during the first half of the month and is not as well
placed for viewing as it is from the southern hemispgere when it reaches eastern elongation. However from the southern hemisphere the angle of
the ecliptic is nearly vertical so Mercury is much higher above the horizon and hence more visible.
Mars stays visible in the evening skies over the southwestern horizon but is gradually setting earlier each evening
and is lower above the horizon at sunset as the month progresses. Watch for Mars to catch up with and pass the reddish star Antares in the Scorpion
toward the end of the month. This may be the last month to see Mars until it reappears on the west side of the Sun in the morning skies.
