Less than a week after Jupiter and Venus had their close approach, the two brightest planets have drifted apart, as the above photo shows. On the morning of August 23, they were joined by an Earthlit crescent Moon, forming a lovely triangle in the dawn sky.
While Jupiter draws farther away from Saturn, the Moon will pass the two April 6-7. Speedy Mercury will also pass by bright Venus on April 25.
This month, the old crescent Moon passes south of the pre-dawn planets from March 9-11, and Mars moseys between the Hyades and Pleiades.
While some planets spend time basking in sunlight, look for Mars’ visit with the Moon February 18.
This month, Uranus completes its retrograde loop and resumes its eastward motion in the skies, and Mercury returns to view. Here’s more on the planetary events this month.
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