Volume 17 -- Issue 12 Planet Watch -- December 2011 Mercury will be visible above the eastern horizon at sunrise this month. Venus sets a couple of hours after the sun this month and is very visible over the southwestern horizon at sunset. Mars is easily seen high over the southeastern horizon at sunrise. This month Mars continues to increase in apparent magnitude as it moves closer to Denebola, the tail of Leo. Jupiter is only a couple of months past opposition and so it rises shortly after sunset and remains visible throughout the night. Saturn rises ahead of the Sun and is paired with the blue-white star Spica in Virgo. Click here to see a graphic set for mid-month showing the solar system as seen from an overhead perspective.