02/08/2023 – Ephemeris – Let’s find where the naked-eye planets have wandered off to this week

This is Bob Moler with Ephemeris for Wednesday, February 8th. Today the Sun will be up for 10 hours and 7 minutes, setting at 6:01, and it will rise tomorrow at 7:52. The Moon, 3 days past full, will rise at 9:02 this evening.

Let’s find where the naked-eye planets have wandered off to this week. Very early after sunset, Venus can be spotted low in the southwest by 6:30 pm. Mars, and Jupiter will be visible this evening by 7 pm. Mars will be above Orion in the southeast and is pulling away from the Pleiades. Jupiter will be in the southwest. Saturn is way below Venus now, so it’s gone until it reappears in the morning sky in a few months. It will make the crossing to the morning sky with its solar conjunction on the 16th. Jupiter will cross paths with Venus on March 1st. Mercury is now in the morning sky, but too close to the Sun to be visible.

The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EST, UT –5 hours). They may be different for your location.

Addendum

The naked-eye planets and the Moon at sunset and sunrise on a single night, starting with sunset on the right on February 8, 2023. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 9th. Click on the image to enlarge it. Created using my LookingUp app and GIMP.