Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog

Ephemeris for Wednesday, October 9th.  The sun will rise at 7:50.  It’ll be up for 11 hours and 17 minutes, setting at 7:08.   The moon, 2 days before first quarter, will set at 10:32 this evening.

Time again to check out the bright planets.  Mercury has an unfavorable greatest elongation from the sun today.  It’s too close to the horizon for all but the best observers to spot.  Almost the same can be said of Saturn, right of and a bit below Venus tonight.  Binoculars may be needed to it.  Saturn will set at 8:15 while Venus will set at 8:50 p.m..  We are losing Saturn in the sun’s glare for a few months.  The rest of the planetary action will be in the morning sky.  The giant planet Jupiter will rise at 12:12 a.m. in the east northeast.  It’s cruising against the stars of Gemini now.  By 6 a.m it will be high in the southeast, the brightest object in that direction.  Mars will rise at 3:25 a.m. also in the east northeast.  It’s nearing Leo.

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

Addendum

Venus, Saturn and the Moon in the west southwest at 8 p.m. October 9, 2013. Created using Stellarium.

Closeup of the moon. Created using Stellarium.

Jupiter and Mars with the winter stars and constellations at 6 a.m., October 10, 2013. Created using Stellarium.

Comet ISON and Mars at 6 a.m. for 7 days starting October 10, 2013. Created using SkyCharts (Cartes du Ciel).

Note that the comet is somewhat dimmer than predicted and barely visible in binoculars.  The tail may not be visible except in photographs.  I can’t really say since I haven’t seen it yet.