Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog

Wednesday, October 3rd.  The sun will rise at 7:43.  It’ll be up for 11 hours and 35 minutes, setting at 7:18.   The moon, 4 days past full, will rise at 8:59 this evening.

Let’s see how many bright planets we can find this week.  Mars and Saturn now set too close to the sun to be easily seen in the evening sky.  Both are in the west southwestern sky and very low in twilight.  Saturn sets at 8:10 p.m., while Mars sets at 9:08.  The planetary action moves to later in the evening and the morning. Jupiter, will rise at 10:09 p.m. in the east northeast.  It is located in the constellation of Taurus.  The last bright planet of the night is the morning star Venus which will rise at 4:13 a.m. also in the east northeast.  Venus is now in Leo outshining the star Regulus next to it.  The planets Venus and Jupiter and the winter constellations are a great sight for early risers.  You can enjoy them without danger of frost bite.

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

Addendum

Mars and Antares low in the southwest at 8:20 p.m. on October 3, 2012. Created using Stellarium.

Mars is moving towards Antares, whose name means Rival of Mars.  They have the same color.  Mars, though will be dimmed and will pass north of the red giant star.

Morning skies including Jupiter and Venus at 6 a.m. on October 4, 2012. Created using Stellarium.

Click on the image to enlarge.