Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog

Ash Wednesday March 9th.  The sun will rise at 7:06.  It’ll be up for 11 hours and 34 minutes, setting at 6:40.   The moon, 3 days before first quarter, will set at 11:53 this evening.

It’s Wednesday and time again to take a look at the whereabouts of the bright planets for this week.  Mercury is marginally visible low in the west in twilight setting at 7:37.  The planet Jupiter is low in the western sky in the early evening twilight.  It will set at 8:25 p.m.  The ringed planet Saturn will rise at 8:47 p.m. in the east southeast and will move due south at 2:34 a.m.  In telescopes Saturn shows its rings which are a year and a half along their seven and a half  year opening.  Also visible in a telescope is Saturn’s moon Titan.  Wait a couple of hours after Saturn rises for the clearest images.  Venus is brilliant in the morning sky and will rise at 5:29 a.m. in the east southeast. It is really a beautiful sight in the morning twilight.

* Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan.  They may be different for your location.