Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog

Wednesday, March 30th.  The sun will rise at 7:27.  It’ll be up for 12 hours and 39 minutes, setting at 8:07.   The moon, half way from last quarter to new, will rise at 5:51 tomorrow morning.

It’s Wednesday and time again to take a look at the whereabouts of the bright planets for this week.  Mercury is fading fast as its phase becomes a thinner crescent.  It’s be a real challenge to spot low in the west after sunset.  It would take a pair of binoculars or telescope to have any hope of spotting it.  It will set at 9:29 p.m.  Jupiter is now too close to the direction of the sun to spot after sunset since it will set at 8:26.  The ringed planet Saturn will rise at 8:17 p.m. in the east southeast and will move due south at 2:06 a.m.  In telescopes Saturn shows its rings which are a year and a half along their seven and a half year opening.  Venus is brilliant in the morning sky and will rise at 6:16 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.