Sunrise Sunset

Fri., March 25 6:37 6:58

Sat., March 26 6:35 7:00

Sun., March 27 6:33 7:01

Mon., March 28 6:32 7:02

Tues., March 29 6:30 7:03

Wed., March 30 6:28 7:04

Thurs., March 31 6:26 7:05

Fri., April 1 6:25 7:06

The morning crescent moon appears amid constellations we normally associate with autumn like Aquarius and Capricornus. Hard to imagine that, while this is the first week of spring, the stars at dawn are so far ahead in the year. The moon is in Sagittarius, the southernmost zodiacal constellation this weekend. The moon appears farther eastward.

On Tuesday morning, the moon appears in the zodiacal constellation Capricornus and near the bright planet Venus. The two appear low in the southeastern sky just before sunrise. Venus is lower, closer to the light of dawn. The two are even closer together on Wednesday morning and closest the next morning. The moon moves into new moon phase on April 3.

Saturn

The ringed-planet Saturn is now the planet of choice when it comes to looking for an easy planet to find. Jupiter and Mars are too close to the sun and will be difficult to find for weeks. Mercury is in the glare of the sun and is nearly always tough to see. Venus is an early morning planet. Saturn appears low in the southeastern sky right after sunset. The planet is bright, the brightest celestial object in the east. It is in the zodiacal constellation Virgo, not far from the constellation’s brightest star Spica.

Astronomers report Saturn is brighter than a year ago; the rings are far more tilted and thus give a boost in brightness.

M.A.L.