Mercury is visible over the west-northwest horizon at sunset and is visible all month as an evening planet. Watch for Mercury
to pass by the 'Twins' in Gemini.
Venus moves into inferior conjunction and the second of two transits of the Sun this century. Venus will be visible as a small
dark dot crossing the face of the Sun on the 5th or 6th depending on your time zone. For the United States the transit happens in the late
afternoon or early evening and continues after sunset. Best viewing is further to the west.
Watch for Venus to reappear near the reddish star Aldebaran in the Hyades star cluster in Taurus at the end of the month before sunrise.
Mars is over the southern horizon at sunset near the tail star, Denebola, in Leo. The 'red planet' sets after sunrise
and will be visible all night. The apparent brightness of Mars is steadily decreasing as the distance between Earth and Mars increases.
Jupiter re-emerges in the morning skies toward the end of the month near the the Pleiades open star cluster in Taurus.
Saturn will be be visible nearly all night, near the bright 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.
