Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog

Wednesday, May 4th.  The sun rises at 6:28.  It’ll be up for 14 hours and 21 minutes, setting at 8:50.   The moon, 1 day past new, will set at 10:39 this evening.

It’s Wednesday and time again to take a look at the whereabouts of the bright planets.  The ringed planet Saturn will be visible in the southeast as it gets dark.   It’s near the bright star Spica to its lower left.  Spica has a blue tinge, while Saturn is yellowish. It will cross the meridian due south at 11:40 p.m. and will set at 5:33 a.m.   Our only other planet really visible is Venus which will rise at 5:34 a.m. in the east.  Rising at 5:42 will be Mercury, followed a minute later by Jupiter.  Dimmest is Mars, rising at 5:46.  This is what I call a Planet Jam.  If you can find Venus in the twilight and follow it until 7 a.m., you just might be able to spot Jupiter and Mercury.  Mars will be problematic because it’s so dim.

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