By Erich Karkoschka
Venus and Jupiter form a bright planet pair in the early evening sky. They are closest on the 8th, 1.7 degrees apart. Both planets are to the left of Pollux (Gemini the Twins). Venus has its latest set time mid-month at 10:10 pm. By the end of the month, Jupiter will be far below Venus, setting during twilight.
Mercury joins both bright planets until the 25th. During the first three weeks, it will be easily visible, setting around 9 pm.
Saturn rises around 2 am. Its rings show as an oval again after they appeared as a straight line last year.
Mars rises around 3 am and remains very low during dawn.