The performance by Venus and Jupiter has probably gotten your attention. The two planets are close together and setting in the west, soon after the sun. The show gets even better in the nights ahead.

The two brightest planets in our evening sky, are now appearing together. For those with a good view of the western sky, Venus and Jupiter are a pretty sight and it gets better in the nights ahead. By the end of the month, Venus and Jupiter will be the talk of the town, appearing as a tight pair.

The next full moon is Thursday, it is called the Beaver Moon. In the week ahead, the gibbous moon dominates the night sky, moving through the zodiacal constellation Pisces, one of the largest, and ending up full in Aries, one of the smallest.

Extreme tides are taking place this week, the most tonight and this weekend. The reason is astronomical. The moon is both full and close, closer than at any time since 1993.

For those up really late tonight there is an astronomical event worth noting. Tonight’s last quarter moon appears close to the ringed-planet Saturn. Both are in the zodiacal constellation Virgo. Saturn is the brightest “star” in the area and has a yellowish tint. Find the moon and the solar system’s second largest planet is nearby.

The nights ahead this weekend are moonless. New Moon is tomorrow. The moon appears only briefly on Sunday night, when it is right under the bright planet Jupiter and Mercury. All three are close to the horizon and tough to see.

A thin crescent moon appears low in the southeastern sky tomorrow morning, just before sunrise. The moon appears underneath the brilliant planet Venus. Both are in the zodiacal constellation Scorpius. Venus and the moon are 10 degrees apart, and are the two brightest celestial objects in the sky, easy to find, and a pleasant and memorable sight.

Tonight’s crescent moon appears low in the western sky after sunset in the zodiacal constellation Aquarius. The moon reaches first quarter phase on Tuesday and is in the zodiacal constellation Pisces.

Venus and Jupiter, the two brightest planets in our night sky, are getting closer together. Venus for many weeks has been alone low in the eastern sky before sunrise. It is an impressive “morning star” and easy to find. Already, another planet has arrived on the scene.

The best planetary show of the month takes place early in the morning. The two brightest planets in our night sky appear together as a close pair. Venus and Jupiter are doing a planetary dance and they can be seen close to the horizon an hour before sunrise.