Free Monthly Sky Map

Mercury starts this month in the constellation of Taurus but passes briefly for two days on the 9th into the constellation of Orion before moving into the constellation of Gemini. Mercury reaches its greatest western elongation on the 1st but does not rise very high before the Sun rises so you need to be quick in the very early morning. After this elongation Mercury moves very quickly back towards the sun and reaches superior conjunction on the 29th. Just before this the planet will have passed from the constellation of Gemini into the constellation of Cancer on the 25th.

Venus starts this month in the constellation of Gemini and passes into the constellation of Cancer on the 10th.. Venus has become an evening object continuing to move away from the Sun after superior conjunction last month. Venus will not rise much above the west northwestern horizon though this month and as such will not be as obvious as normal. The planet will pass into the constellation of Leo on the 27th.

Mars can be seen in the constellation of Leo for all of this month. On the 10th Mars will be just over half a degree away from Saturn in the sky between the legs of Leo and shining at magnitude 1.5. By mid month Mars is setting less than two hours after the Sun and due to this is not very good to view this month.

Jupiter as last month continues its retrograde motion through the constellation of Sagittarius. Jupiter reaches opposition on the 9th so is visible all night shining at magnitude -2.7. The planet remains low in the sky, however, and clear views will not be possible due to the amount of turbulent atmosphere through which the planet will be viewed.

Saturn remains between the legs of the constellation of Leo throughout this month shining at magnitude 0.8. Saturn needs to be viewed in the first half of the month as in the second half it is setting just one hour after sunset and is lost in the evening twilight.

Uranus is still in the constellation of Aquarius near to the border with Pisces this month continuing to improve its position for viewing. By mid month Uranus will be rising at 2222 hrs well after sunset and at magnitude 5.8 is just visible to the naked eye. By the end of the month it will be low in the southwest as the dawn approaches.

Neptune remains in the constellation of Capricornus this month continuing its retrograde motion against the background stars. As always Neptune is quite illusive shining at magnitude 7.8. By the end of the month Neptune will be rising just twenty minutes after a sunset at 2004 hrs and will be viewable throughout the night.

Pluto continues its retrograde motion this month in the constellation of Sagittarius close to the borders with the constellations of Serpens and Ophiucus. Pluto remains well placed for viewing after its opposition last month. Shining at magnitude 13.9 and rising at 1803 hrs by the middle of the month setting at 0257 hrs.

1st Sunrise – 0344 hrs Sunset – 2040 hrs

15th Sunrise – 0359 hrs Sunset – 2029 hrs

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Nature of the Planets
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Nature of the Stars
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Calendar of The Night Sky