06/25/2012 – Venus and Jupiter in the morning and Mercury in th evening

Ephemeris for Monday, June 25th.  Today the sun will be up for 15 hours and 33 minutes, setting at 9:31.   The moon, 1 day before first quarter, will set at 12:41 tomorrow morning.  Tomorrow the sun will rise at 5:59.

You’ve got to be an early riser for this, say about quarter after 5.  Venus and Jupiter will appear close together low in the east northeast in the growing twilight.  It’s reminiscent of their evening show.  However their paths will not cross.  The brighter Venus appears below and to the left of the dimmer Jupiter.  They will be their closest around July 3rd.  Then Jupiter will outpace Venus.  In the evening sky the dim planet Mercury is making an appearance.  Start looking to the west northwest about 10:15 for this elusive planet.  Here binoculars will help.  The bright stars Pollux and Castor are to its right and nearly in a horizontal line to it.  Mercury, though is brighter than they are so you should spot Mercury first.

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

Addendum

Jupiter and Venus in the Morning June 25th 2012. Created using Stellarium.

Mercury with the stars Pollux and Castor to its right at 10:15 p.m. June 25th, 2012 Created using Stellarium.