From September 25 to October 9, 2017

Mercury appears lower and lower above the eastern horizon at dawn, about 20 minutes before sunrise. The tiny planet vanishes in the Sun’s glare during the last mornings of September. Mercury passes behind the Sun (superior conjunction) on October 8 and will gradually emerge in the evening sky in early November.

Venus is the bright Morning Star, shining above the eastern horizon at the end of the night and at dawn; Venus rises more than 2 hours before the sun. Follow the motion of Mars, as the much fainter Red Planet slowly pulls away from the Sun and climbs toward Venus: on the morning of October 5, the two planets are less than ¼ degree apart, and visible in the same telescopic field of view! The lunar crescent will be near Venus on the mornings of October 17 and 18.

Mars is slowly emerging from the sun’s glare and climbs toward dazzling Venus in the morning sky: on the morning of October 5, the two planets appear less than ¼ degree apart, and visible in the same telescopic field of view! The lunar crescent will hang just one degree to the left of the Red Planet on the morning of October 17.

Jupiter is increasingly difficult to pick out, very low in the west-southwest, a few minutes after sunset. The Giant Planet is sinking in the glow of sunset and vanishes in the sun’s glare early in October. Jupiter will pass behind the Sun (conjunction) on October 26, and will gradually reappear at dawn during the second week of November.

Saturn appears at dusk, some 20 degrees above the south-southwest horizon, and vanishes in the southwest after 9:30 p.m. The crescent moon will hang less than 3 degrees above the Ringed Planet on the evening of September 26.

From September 25 to 29, the International Phytotechnologies Conference will be bringing some 300 phytotechnology experts from around the world to Montréal. This flourishing science uses living plants to solve environmental problems. Their low capital cost, high success rates, minimal maintenance requirements and esthetic qualities all make phytotechnologies extremely attractive.

Montréal boasts leading experts

Under the aegis of the Institut de recherche en plant biology (IRBV), a plant biology research institute managed jointly by the Université de Montréal and the Montréal Botanical Garden, this international symposium is a tribute to the growing importance of phytotechnologies. It also shows the leadership role played by the experts at the IRBV and the Montréal Botanical Garden in the field of phytoremediation.

A showcase for plants’ powers at the Botanical Garden

In fact, the Montréal Botanical Garden is currently the site of an exceptional project to demonstrate plants’ amazing powers. The future Pathway to Phytotechnologies will show visitors how plants are helping to preserve biodiversity at the Botanical Garden by maintaining and restoring existing sites. The different types of phytotechnology will be explained through demonstrations, visitor activities and models, to inspire visitors and make them aware of plants’ potential.

The estimated cost of the Pathway to Phytotechnologies is $14.5 million. The city of Montréal will invest one dollar in the Pathway for every dollar raised by the Montréal Space for Life Foundation. To date the Foundation has raised over $1.1 million, and the fundraising campaign is continuing!

From October 9 to 23, 2017

Mercury is too close to the Sun and is not currently observable. The tiny planet passed behind the Sun (superior conjunction) on October 8. It will gradually reappear in the evening sky in early November.

Venus is the bright Morning Star, shining above the eastern horizon at the very end of the night and at dawn. Venus is slowly sinking back toward the Sun, and now rises less than 2 hours before our daytime star. The lunar crescent will be near Venus on the mornings of October 17 and 18.

Mars is slowly pulling away from the sun’s glare and now rises 2 ½ hours before our star. You’ll find the Red Planet at the end of the night and at dawn, a few degrees above dazzling Venus in the eastern sky. The lunar crescent will hang just one degree to the left of Mars on the morning of October 17.

Jupiter vanishes in the sun’s glare at sunset. The Giant Planet will pass behind the Sun (conjunction) on October 26, and will gradually reappear at dawn during the second week of November.

Saturn appears at dusk, less than 20 degrees above the south-southwest horizon, and vanishes in the southwest before 9:00 p.m. The crescent moon passes near the Ringed Planet on the evenings of October 23 and 24.

From October 23 to November 6, 2017

Mercury passed behind the Sun (superior conjunction) on October 8. Still immersed in the sun’s glare, the tiny planet gradually reappears in the evening sky during the first days of November: using binoculars, search for it by scanning the south-western horizon, 15 minutes after sunset.

Venus is the bright Morning Star, shining above the east-southeast horizon at the very end of the night and at dawn. Venus is slowly sinking back toward the Sun, and now rises less than 2 hours before our daytime star. The lunar crescent will hang 4 degree to the left of Venus on the morning of November 17.

Mars is slowly pulling away from the sun’s glare and now rises 3 hours before our star. You’ll find the Red Planet at the end of the night and at dawn, about 15 degrees above dazzling Venus in the east-southeast. The lunar crescent will appear near Mars on the mornings of November 14 and 15.

Jupiter is too close to the Sun and is not currently observable. The Giant Planet passes behind our star (conjunction) on October 26, and will gradually reappear at dawn during the second week of November: look for it in the east-southeast, below and slightly to the left of Venus, 20 minutes before sunrise.

Saturn appears at dusk, about 15 degrees above the southwest horizon, and sets after 8:00 p.m. The crescent moon passes near the Ringed Planet on the evenings of October 23 and 24.

From November 6 to 20, 2017

Mercury, still immersed in the sun’s glare, is visible with difficulty in the evening sky: using binoculars, search for the tiny planet by scanning the south-western horizon, 20 minutes after sunset.

Venus is the bright Morning Star, shining at dawn above the east-southeast horizon. Venus is sinking back toward the Sun, and now rises only about 75 minutes before our daytime star. Jupiter, now just returning to the morning sky, rapidly rises toward Venus: the two brightest planets have a spectacularly close encounter on the morning of November 13, when they’ll be less than a third of a degree apart. The lunar crescent will hang 4 degree to the left of Venus on the morning of November 17, with Jupiter just a few degrees above them.

Mars is slowly pulling away from the sun’s glare and now rises more than 3 hours before our star. You’ll find the Red Planet in the east-southeast at the end of the night and at dawn. The lunar crescent will appear near Mars on the mornings of November 14 and 15.

Jupiter passed behind the Sun (conjunction) on October 26, and gradually reappears at dawn during the second week of November: look for the Giant Planet low in the east-southeast, below and slightly to the left of Venus, 20 minutes before sunrise. Over the following mornings, Jupiter rapidly rises toward Venus: the two brightest planets have a spectacularly close encounter on the morning of November 13, when they’ll be less than a third of a degree apart. The lunar crescent will hang 4 degree to the left of Venus on the morning of November 17, a few degrees below Jupiter.

Saturn appears at dusk, a dozen degrees above the southwest horizon, and sets around 6:30 p.m. The crescent moon hangs less than 3 degrees from the Ringed Planet on the evening of November 20.

From November 20 to December 4, 2017

Mercury remains immersed in the sun’s glare, and is visible with difficulty at dusk: using binoculars, search for the tiny planet by scanning the south-western horizon, 20 minutes after sunset. Mercury comes within 3 degrees of Saturn during the evenings of late-November and early-December.

Venus is the bright Morning Star, shining low above the east-southeast horizon 30 minutes before sunrise. Venus is sinking back toward the Sun, and it appears lower and lower in the glow of dawn: We’ll lose sight of it around mid-December.

Mars is slowly pulling away from the sun’s glare and now rises more than 3 ½ hours before our star. You’ll find Mars in the southeast at the end of the night and at dawn. Keep an eye on the Red Planet as it approaches bright bluish star Spica: their respective colour makes a striking contrast. The star and planet come within about 3 degrees of each other around November 30. The lunar crescent will hang less than 5 degrees from Mars on the morning of December 13.

Jupiter is pulling away from the Sun and rapidly gains height in the morning sky: the bright planet rises a couple hours before the Sun, and shines at dawn in the east-southeast. The lunar crescent will hang less than 4 degrees from Jupiter on the morning of December 14.

Saturn appears at dusk, barely 5 degrees above the southwest horizon, where it sets around 5:30 p.m. Use binoculars to help you spot the Ringed Planet in the glow of sunset. The crescent moon hangs less than 3 degrees from the Ringed Planet on the evening of November 20. Keep an eye on planet Mercury, which comes within 3 degrees of Saturn during the evenings of late-November and early-December.

From December 4 to 18, 2017

Mercury becomes fainter and is now too close to the Sun: the tiny planet is presently unobservable. Mercury passes between Earth and the Sun (inferior conjunction) on December 12, following which it rapidly emerges in the morning sky for a favourable apparition that begins on December 21.

Venus is ending its stint as the Morning Star: the bright planet is drawing closer to the Sun and vanishes in the glow of approaching sunrise. You may still be able to spot it with binoculars, very low in the east-southeast 20 minutes before sunrise — but we’ll lose sight of it definitely during the second week of December. Venus passes behind the Sun (superior conjunction) on January 9, and will reappear in the evening sky later that month.

Mars is slowly pulling away from the sun’s glare and now rises more than 4 hours before our star. You’ll find Mars in the southeast at the end of the night and at dawn. The lunar crescent will hang less than 5 degrees from Mars on the morning of December 13. Notice how bright Jupiter is drawing closer and closer to Mars over the coming weeks.

Jupiter is pulling away from the Sun and rapidly gains height in the morning sky: the bright planet rises about 3 hours before the Sun, and shines at dawn in the southeast. The lunar crescent will hang less than 4 degrees from Jupiter on the morning of December 14. Notice how bright Jupiter is drawing closer and closer to Mars (to its upper right) over the coming weeks.

Saturn is now too close to the southwest horizon at sunset, and vanishes in the Sun’s glare. The Ringed Planet passes behind the Sun (conjunction) on December 21, and gradually reappears at dawn during the first week of January.

Congratulations to the outdoor gardens team and horticulturist Mireille Dubuc of the Garden of Innovations, for taking 2^nd place in the “Over 100,000 visitors” category of the All-America Selections Landscape Design Challenge.

The magnificent layout of the winning border clearly won the judges’ hearts! 

The American Orchid Society has just presented the team led by Marie-Claude Limoges of the Horticulture and Collections Division with three certificates won in January, August and September 2017, as part of the Society’s monthly awards, for their magnificent orchid specimens.

Congratulations on a great hat trick!

From December 18, 2017, to January 1, 2018

Mercury passed between Earth and the Sun (inferior conjunction) on December 12. After December 21, it rapidly emerges at dawn for a favourable morning apparition. Using binoculars, look for the tiny planet by scanning the southeast horizon, 45 minutes before sunrise; Mercury gradually becomes brighter over the coming weeks.

Venus is too close to the Sun and is not currently visible. Venus passes behind the Sun (superior conjunction) on January 9, and will reappear in the evening sky later that month.

Mars now rises in the east-southeast, about 4 ½ hours before the Sun. At dawn, the Red Planet shines in the south-southeast, to the upper right of bright Jupiter. Notice how bright Jupiter is drawing closer and closer to Mars over the coming weeks: the two planets will have a close encounter on January 6 and 7.On the morning of January 11, the lunar crescent will hang less than 4 degrees from Mars and Jupiter — a beautiful sight at dawn!

Jupiter rises about 4 hours before the Sun in the east-southeast. At dawn the bright planet shines in the south-southeast, with fainter Mars to its upper right. Notice how Jupiter is drawing closer and closer to Mars over the coming weeks: the two planets will have a close encounter on January 6 and 7.On the morning of January 11, the lunar crescent will hang less than 4 degrees from Mars and Jupiter — a beautiful sight at dawn!

Saturn is too close to the Sun and is not currently visible. The Ringed Planet passes behind the Sun (conjunction) on December 21, and gradually reappears at dawn during the first week of January.

From January 1 to 15, 2018

Mercury is presently visible at dawn. The tiny planet is at greatest elongation on January 1, 23 degrees west (to the right) of the Sun, but that gap gradually closes afterwards. Using binoculars, look for the tiny planet by scanning the southeast horizon, 40 minutes before sunrise. Saturn gradually emerges from the horizon during that period and passes just ¾ degree above Mercury on the morning of January 13. The thin crescent moon forms a compact triangle with Mercury and Saturn on the morning of January 15.

Venus is too close to the Sun and is not currently visible. Venus passes behind the Sun (superior conjunction) on January 9, and will not reappear in the evening sky until the very end of the month.

Mars now rises in the east-southeast, about 4 ½ hours before the Sun. At the crack of dawn, the Red Planet shines in the south-southeast, near bright Jupiter. Notice how the gap between the two planets is changing on a daily basis: they have a close encounter on January 6 and 7— just over ¼ degree apart! On the morning of January 11, the lunar crescent hangs less than 4 degrees from Mars and Jupiter — a beautiful sight at dawn!

Jupiter rises about 4 ½ hours before the Sun in the east-southeast. At dawn the bright planet shines in the south-southeast, with fainter Mars nearby. Notice how the gap between the two planets is changing on a daily basis: they have a close encounter on January 6 and 7— just over ¼ degree apart! On the morning of January 11, the lunar crescent hangs less than 4 degrees from Mars and Jupiter — a beautiful sight at dawn!

Saturn passed behind the Sun (conjunction) on December 21, and gradually reappears at dawn during the first week of January. Search for the Ringed Planet 40 minutes before sunrise: using binoculars, scan the brightening sky just above the southeast horizon. Saturn gains a bit of elevation every morning and passes just ¾ degree above Mercury on the morning of January 13. The thin crescent moon forms a compact triangle with Mercury and Saturn on the morning of January 15.

From January 15 to 29, 2018

Mercury is visible with difficulty at dawn until about January 22. Using binoculars, search for the tiny planet very low on the southeast horizon, 30 minutes before sunrise. But Mercury is drawing closer to the Sun and appears lower every passing day; it vanishes completely in the Sun’s glare during the last week of January. Mercury passes behind the Sun (superior conjunction) on February 17, and will reappear in the evening sky in early March.

Venus is too close to the Sun and is not currently visible. Venus passed behind the Sun (superior conjunction) on January 9, but will not reappear in the evening sky until the very end of the month.

Mars rises in the east-southeast shortly before 3 a.m., and can be found in the south-southeast at dawn. The Red Planet shines a few degrees to the left of bright Jupiter, but the gap between them is increasing on a daily basis. On the morning of February 8, the lunar crescent appears between Mars and Jupiter, completing a large, flattened triangle with the two planets. The next morning, February 9, the crescent hangs 4 degrees to the left of Mars.

Jupiter rises in the east-southeast around 2 a.m. and shines in the south-southeast at dawn. The Red Planet shines a few degrees to its left, but the gap between them is increasing from day to day. On the morning of February 7, the last quarter Moon hangs 7 degrees to the upper right of Jupiter. The next morning, February 8, the lunar crescent appears between Mars and Jupiter, completing a large, flattened triangle with the two planets.

Saturn is gradually pulling away from the Sun’s glare and appears at dawn above the southeast horizon 45 minutes before sunrise. At first, binoculars might help you locate the Ringed Planet in the glow of dawn; but Saturn gains a bit of elevation every morning and become visible against an increasingly darker sky by the end of January. The thin crescent moon passes less than 2 degrees above Saturn on the morning of February 11.

From January 29 to February 12, 2018

Mercury is now too close to the sun and is not visible currently. From our point of view, the tiny planet passes behind the Sun (superior conjunction) on February 17, and will reappear in the evening sky in early March.

Venus passed behind the Sun (superior conjunction) on January 9, and gradually reappears at dusk during the first evenings in February. Using binoculars, scan the skies just above the west-southwest horizon looking for the bright Evening Star, 10 to 15 minutes after sunset. Venus is slowly pulling away from the Sun’s glare and will become easier to locate over the coming weeks.

Mars rises in the east-southeast around 3 a.m., and can be found in the south-southeast at dawn. The Red Planet shines a few degrees to the left of bright Jupiter, but the gap between them is increasing day by day. On the morning of February 8, the lunar crescent appears between Mars and Jupiter, completing a large, flattened triangle with the two planets. The next morning, February 9, the crescent hangs 4 degrees to the left of Mars.

Jupiter appears above the east-southeast horizon around 2 a.m. and culminates at dawn 27 degrees high in the south. The Red Planet shines a few degrees to its left, but the gap between them is increasing from day to day. On the morning of February 7, the last quarter Moon hangs 7 degrees to the upper right of Jupiter. The next morning, February 8, the lunar crescent appears between Mars and Jupiter, completing a large, flattened triangle with the two planets.

Saturn emerges above the southeast horizon around 5:30 a.m., and gains some height during dawn until it becomes lost in the brightening glow of approaching sunrise. The thin crescent moon passes less than 2 degrees above Saturn on the morning of February 11.

From February 12 to 26, 2018

Mercury is too close to the sun and is not visible currently. From our point of view, the tiny planet passes behind the Sun (superior conjunction) on February 17. It will reappear in the evening sky in early March.

Venus gradually reappears at dusk, 15 to 20 minutes after sunset, very low in the west-southwest; the bright Evening Star sets shortly thereafter. Binoculars may be of aid at first, but over the coming weeks Venus will become easier to locate with the naked eye as it slowly pulls away from the Sun’s glare. On the evening of February 15, try to catch the thin crescent moon, just 2 degrees to the upper left of Venus.

Mars rises in the southeast around 3 a.m., and climbs above the south-southeast horizon at dawn. The Red Planet currently shines between bright Jupiter to its right, and Saturn to its left. On the morning of March 10, the crescent moon appears between Mars and Saturn, completing a large, flattened triangle with the two planets.

Jupiter appears above the east-southeast horizon around 1 a.m. and culminates 27 degrees high in the south at the first light of dawn. On the morning of March 7, the waning gibbous Moon hangs less than 3 ½ degrees above bright Jupiter.

Saturn emerges above the southeast horizon around 4:30 a.m., and gains some height during dawn until it becomes lost in the brightening glow of approaching sunrise. On the morning of March 10, the crescent moon appears between Mars and Saturn, drawing a wide, flattened triangle with the two planets. The next day, March 11, the lunar crescent shines 4 degrees to the left of the Ringed Planet.