Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog

Ephemeris for Thursday, May 23rd.  Today the sun will be up for 15 hours and 5 minutes, setting at 9:12.   The moon, 2 days before full, will set at 5:39 tomorrow morning.  Tomorrow the sun will rise at 6:05.

Lets take a look at the planet jam in the west after sunset.  There’s a rather short period and a very low western horizon that will let you see them.  Jupiter will be on top, with Venus just below and to its right.  Mercury will be to Venus’ right and just a  bit higher.  The separation from Jupiter to Mercury is just under 6 degrees, a bit more than half the width of a fist held at arm’s length.  It is generally true that the width of one fist held at arm’s length describes a ten degree angle in the sky,  Kind of a rule of thumb, or in this case fist to help one gauge the sky with out a sextant or quadrant.  Tomorrow the grouping will be getting even more compact.  Reaching their most compact Sunday evening.

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

Addendum

Jupiter, Venus and Mercury at 10 p.m. on May 23, 2013. Created using Stellarium.

Dance of the planets Jupiter, Venus and Mercury, May 21 thru May 28, 2013. Created using Stellarium. Click on the image to start animation.