From October 22 to November 5, 2018

Mercury undergoes a very poor evening apparition for Northern Hemisphere observers. The tiny planet is visible with much difficulty very low in the southwest, 20 minutes after sunset. A perfectly clear horizon and the use of binoculars will be key to success in spotting Mercury in the lingering glow of sunset, below much brighter Jupiter.

Venus is not observable as it passes between Earth and the Sun (inferior conjunction) on October 26, but it rapidly emerges in the dawn sky in early November: you’ll find the bright Morning Star very low in the east-southeast, 20 minutes before sunrise.

Mars is receding from Earth since its opposition in late July. Although it is slowly fading, the Red Planet remains a conspicuously bright object: it appears in the south-southeast at dusk, culminates around 8:00 p.m. some 27 degrees high in the south, and sets in the southwest around 12:30 a.m. During the evening of November 15, the first quarter moon glides within 2 degrees below the Red Planet.

Jupiter appears during evening twilight about 5 degrees above the southwest horizon and slowly descends toward the west-southwest horizon where it vanishes after 6:30 p.m. Binoculars will help you locate it. On the evening of November 8, the thin waxing crescent Moon hangs 3 degrees above Jupiter.

Saturn appears during evening twilight about 15 degrees high in the south-southwest, and then gradually descends toward the southwest horizon where it vanishes after 8:30 p.m. On the evening of November 11, the waxing crescent moon shines 3 degrees to the upper left of the ringed planet.

From November 5 to 19, 2018

Mercury undergoes a very poor evening apparition for Northern Hemisphere observers. The tiny planet is visible with much difficulty very low in the southwest, 20 minutes after sunset. A perfectly clear horizon and the use of binoculars will be key to success in spotting Mercury in the lingering glow of sunset, about 10 degrees to the left of much brighter Jupiter. On the evening of November 9, the thin waxing crescent Moon hangs 6 ½ degrees above Mercury.

Venus passed between Earth and the Sun (inferior conjunction) on October 26, but it rapidly pulls away from the sun: you’ll find the bright Morning Star low in the east-southeast, 45 minutes before sunrise. On the morning of November 6, the thin waning crescent Moon hangs 9 degrees to the left of Venus.

Mars is receding from Earth since its opposition in late July. Although it is slowly fading, the Red Planet remains a conspicuously bright object: it appears in the south-southeast at dusk, culminates around 6:30 p.m. (Standard Time) some 30 degrees high in the south, and sets in the southwest around 11:30 p.m. During the evening of November 15, the first quarter moon glides within 2 degrees below the Red Planet.

Jupiter is visible with much difficulty in the minutes that follow sunset, very low on the west-southwest horizon. Binoculars are a must to locate it. The giant planet vanishes in the glare of the sun around mid-November, and passes behind our star (conjunction) on the 26^th; it will reappear at dawn in December. On the evening of November 8, the thin waxing crescent Moon hangs 3 degrees above Jupiter.

Saturn appears during evening twilight about 15 degrees high in the southwest, and then gradually descends toward the horizon where it vanishes around 7:00 p.m. (Standard Time). On the evening of November 11, the waxing crescent moon shines 3 degrees to the upper left of the ringed planet.

Horticulturist Mireille Dubuc and her Garden of Innovations team at the Montreal Jardin botanique have once again been honoured at the All-America Selections Landscape Design Challenge. Their garden came in second in the “Over 100 000 Visitors" category.

Inspired by the theme of “bringing people closer together,” this year’s landscape featured ornamental plants and a few edible ones. With generous blooms all season long, the splendid garden impressed the judges, just like it did with our visitors all summer!

From November 19 to December 3, 2018

Mercury is presently too close to the sun and is not visible. The tiny planet passes between Earth and the sun (inferior conjunction) on November 27, after which it rapidly pulls away from the sun’s glare: it reappears in the dawn sky in December.

Venus is the dazzling Morning Star visible at the end of the night and at dawn. It emerges above the east-southeast horizon about three hours before sunrise; at dawn, it stands about 25 degrees high in the southeast. On the morning of December 3, the thin waning crescent Moon hangs 5 degrees above Venus.

Mars is receding from Earth since its opposition in late July. Although it is slowly fading, the Red Planet remains a conspicuously bright object: it appears in the south-southeast at dusk, culminates around 6:00 p.m. some 35 degrees high in the south, and sets in the west-southwest around 11:30 p.m. During the evening of December 14, the waxing crescent moon approaches within 4 degrees below the Red Planet.

Jupiter is presently drowned in the glare of the sun and is not visible. The giant planet passes behind our star (conjunction) on November 26 and will reappear at dawn in December.

Saturn appears during evening twilight about 12 degrees high in the southwest, and then gradually descends toward the horizon where it vanishes around 6:30 p.m. On December 8 and 9, at dusk, the thin crescent moon will hang near the ringed planet, very low on the horizon, 45 minutes after sunset.

From December 3 to 17, 2018

Mercury is visible low in the east-southeast at dawn, one hour before sunrise. The tiny planet will move away from the sun glare over the coming days, and its brightness will increase at the same time, making it easier to spot.On the morning of December 5, the thin waning crescent Moon hangs 3 degrees above Mercury.

Venus is the dazzling Morning Star visible at the end of the night and at dawn. It emerges above the east-southeast horizon about 3 ½ hours before sunrise; at dawn, it stands more than 25 degrees high in the southeast. On the morning of December 3, the waning crescent Moon hangs 5 degrees above Venus.

Mars is receding from Earth since its opposition in late July. The Red Planet is slowly fading, but remains conspicuously bright: it appears in the south-southeast at dusk, culminates shortly before 6:00 p.m. some 35 degrees high in the south, and sets in the west-southwest after 11:00 p.m. During the evening of December 14, the waxing crescent moon approaches within 4 degrees below the Red Planet.

Jupiter gradually reappears at dawn after December 12. Look for the giant planet very low in the southeast, a few degrees below Mercury, about 40 minutes before sunrise. Jupiter is pulling away from the sun’s glare and becomes easier to see with each passing day.

Saturn is sinking in the glare of sunset. The ringed planet appears during evening twilight less than 10 degrees high in the southwest, and sets about an hour later. On December 8 and 9, at dusk, the thin crescent moon appears near Saturn, very low on the horizon, 45 minutes after sunset.

From December 17 to 31, 2018

Mercury is visible in the east-southeast at dawn, between 45 minutes and one hour before sunrise. As Jupiter moves away from the sun’s glare and emerges above the horizon, it crosses paths with Mercury: On the morning of December 21, the two planets shine less than one degree apart.

Venus is the dazzling Morning Star visible at the end of the night and at dawn. It emerges above the east-southeast horizon about 3 ½ hours before sunrise; at dawn, it stands more than 25 degrees high in the south-southeast. On the morning of January 1, the waning crescent Moon shines 5 degrees to the upper right of Venus. The next morning, January 2, the thin lunar crescent hangs between Venus and Jupiter.

Mars is receding from Earth since its opposition in late July. The Red Planet is fading, but remains conspicuously bright: it appears at dusk more than 40 degrees high in the south, and sets in the west after 11:00 p.m. During the evening of January 12, the waxing crescent moon approaches within 6 degrees of the Red Planet.

Jupiter is now fairly easy to spot at dawn: you’ll find it very low in the southeast, about 45 minutes before sunrise. As it pulls away from the sun’s glare and gains elevation at dawn, the Giant Planet becomes easier to see. It also crosses Mercury’s path: On the morning of December 21, the two planets shine less than one degree apart. On the morning of January 3, the waning crescent Moon hangs 3 degrees to the left of Jupiter.

Saturn is now lost in the glare of the sun. The ringed planet passes behind the sun (conjunction) on January 2 and will reappear at dawn a few weeks later.

From December 31, 2018, to January 14, 2019

Mercury is visible in the east-southeast at dawn, 30 minutes before sunrise. The tiny planet is sinking back toward the sun, and it appears lower on the horizon with each passing day: it becomes lost in the glow of approaching daylight during the second week of January. Mercury passes behind the sun (superior conjunction) on January 30, and will reappear in the evening sky during the second week of February. On the morning of January 4, the waning crescent Moon shines less than 3 degrees above Mercury.

Venus is the dazzling Morning Star visible at the end of the night and at dawn. It emerges above the east-southeast horizon 3 ½ hours before sunrise; at dawn, it stands about 25 degrees high in the south-southeast. On the morning of January 1, the waning crescent Moon shines 5 degrees to the upper right of Venus. The next morning, January 2, the thin lunar crescent hangs between Venus and Jupiter.

Mars is receding from Earth since its opposition in late July. The Red Planet is fading, but remains conspicuously bright: it appears at dusk about 45 degrees high in the south, and sets in the west after 11:00 p.m. During the evening of January 12, the waxing crescent moon approaches within 6 degrees of the Red Planet.

Jupiter is now an easy target at dawn: the very bright Giant Planet emerges in the southeast about 1 ½ hours before sunrise, to the lower left of even brighter Venus. Jupiter pulls away from the sun day by day, gains elevation at dawn, and climbs toward Venus: the two brightest planets come within 2 ½ degrees of each other on the morning of January 22.On the morning of January 3, the waning crescent Moon hangs 3 degrees to the left of Jupiter.

Saturn is too close to the sun and is not visible. The ringed planet passes behind the sun (conjunction) on January 2 and will reappear at dawn a few weeks later.

From January 14 to 28, 2019

Mercury is too close to the sun and is not visible presently. The tiny planet passes behind the sun (superior conjunction) on January 30, and will reappear in the evening sky during the second week of February.

Venus is the dazzling Morning Star that dominates the southeastern sky at the end of the night and at dawn. It emerges above the east-southeast horizon 3 hours before sunrise; at dawn, it stands about 20 degrees high in the south-southeast. Not quite as brilliant, Jupiter also shines in the same area of the sky: in fact, the two brightest planets lie within 3 degrees of each other from January 21 to 24, and they’re separated by less than 2 ½ degrees on the morning of January 22.On the morning of January 31, the thin lunar crescent lies between Jupiter and Venus, just 2 ½ degrees to the right of the Morning Star. The next morning, February 1, the thin lunar crescent hangs between Venus and Saturn.

Mars is still receding from Earth and slowly fading. But the Red Planet remains an easily identifiable object: it appears at dusk about 50 degrees high in the south-southwest, and sets in the west after 11:00 p.m. On the evening of February 10, the waxing crescent moon lays degrees to the left of the Red Planet.

Jupiter is now easy to see in the southeast at the end of the night and at dawn, near dazzling Venus. In fact, the two brightest planets lie within 3 degrees of each other from January 21 to 24, and they’re separated by less than 2 ½ degrees on the morning of January 22.On the morning of January 30, the waning crescent Moon hangs 7 degrees to the upper right of Jupiter. The next morning, January 31, the thin lunar crescent lies between Jupiter and Venus.

Saturn passed behind the sun (conjunction) on January 2. The ringed planet will reappear at dawn during the last week of January: scan the southeast horizon with binoculars between 45 minutes and one hour before sunrise looking for a pinpoint of light in the colours of dawn.

From January 28 to February 11, 2019

Mercury is too close to the sun and is not visible presently. The tiny planet passes behind the sun (superior conjunction) on January 30, and will reappear in the evening sky during the second week of February.

Venus is the dazzling Morning Star that dominates the south-eastern sky at the end of the night and at dawn. It emerges above the east-southeast horizon less than 3 hours before sunrise; at dawn, it stands about 15 degrees high in the southeast. Not quite as brilliant, Jupiter also shines to the right of Venus. On the morning of January 31, the thin lunar crescent lies between Jupiter and Venus, just 2 ½ degrees to the right of the Morning Star. The next morning, February 1, the thin lunar crescent hangs between Venus and Saturn.

Mars is receding from Earth and still slowly fading. Despite this, the Red Planet remains an easily identifiable object: it appears at dusk about 45 degrees high in the southwest, and sets in the west around 11:00 p.m. On the evening of February 10, the waxing crescent moon lays degrees to the left of the Red Planet.

Jupiter is very bright and easy to see in the southeast at the end of the night and at dawn, just to the right of dazzling Venus. On the morning of January 30, the waning crescent Moon hangs 7 degrees to the upper right of Jupiter. The next morning, January 31, the thin lunar crescent lies between Jupiter and Venus.

Saturn passed behind the sun (conjunction) on January 2. The ringed planet is now pulling away from the sun’s glare and gradually reappearing at dawn: scan the southeast horizon with binoculars between 45 minutes and one hour before sunrise looking for a pinpoint of light in the colours of dawn to the lower left of dazzling Venus. On the morning of February 1, the thin lunar crescent lays between Venus and Saturn.

From February 11 to 25, 2019

Mercury is visible very low in the west-southwest, 20 to 30 minutes after sunset: scan the horizon for a tiny point of light against the colours of sunset. Over the coming days, as the tiny planet gradually pulls away from the glare of the sun, it becomes possible to catch it higher above the horizon, and in a darker sky (45 to 60 minutes after sunset). However, Mercury’s brightness steadily declines during that same timeframe. The best viewing period extends from February 18 to March 1.

Venus, the dazzling Morning Star, appears lower and lower in the south-east at the very end of the night and at dawn. It emerges above the east-southeast horizon 1 ½ hours before sunrise; at dawn, it stands only about 12 degrees high in the southeast. Not quite as brilliant, Jupiter also shines to the upper right of Venus. Much fainter Saturn gradually approaches Venus from the left: on the morning of February 18, barely one degree separates the two planets. Saturn appears to the right of Venus thereafter. On the morning of March 2, the thin lunar crescent lies less than 5 degrees to the right of the Morning Star.

Mars is receding from Earth and still slowly fading. Despite this, the Red Planet remains an easily identifiable object: it appears at dusk about 45 degrees high in the southwest, and sets in the west around 11:00 p.m. Mars moves rapidly with respect to the background stars and constellations: follow its trajectory as it’s heading toward Taurus and the Pleiades star cluster. On the evening of March 11, the waxing crescent moon lays 7 degrees to the left of the Red Planet.

Jupiter is very bright and easy to see in the southeast at the end of the night and at dawn. The Giant Planet rises after 3:30 a.m. and gradually climbs in the sky, reaching some 20 degrees above the south-southeast horizon 30 minutes before sunrise. On the morning of February 27, the waning crescent Moon hangs 2 ½ degrees to the upper right of Jupiter.

Saturn is gradually emerging in the morning sky. You’ll find it very low in the southeast at the first light of dawn, and by the time the horizon takes on more colours (about 45 minutes before sunrise) the ringed planet will also have gained more height. Let dazzling Venus be your guide: before February 18, Saturn gradually approaches Venus from the left. Then,on the morning of February 18, the ringed planet passes barely one degree below the Morning Star. In the following days, the two planets again move apart, with Saturn now to the right of Venus. On the morning of March 1, the crescent moon shines 3 degrees to the right of Saturn.