RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – After some clouds pass over us this afternoon and early evening, skies should become mostly clear in time for you to spot Saturn and the Moon in our eastern sky.
Saturn rises above our eastern horizon in the Richmond area at 9:50 p.m., so give it until 10 to 11 p.m. for an easier spot. For better viewing with the Moon, wait until closer to 11 p.m. because the Moon doesn’t rise until 10:23 p.m. above the horizon. You’ll easily be able to see both by 11 p.m.!
The Moon is just past-Full, at “waning gibbous” phase. That means it’s still pretty bright, and you may need to allow a few moments for your eyes to adjust to the contrast of the Moon’s light and the dark sky behind it in order to best see Saturn (and other interesting objects nearby, like Libra’s “alpha star” Zubenelgenubi.With a name like that, why not try to spot it with a pair of binoculars!).
If you’d rather wake up early Saturday morning to spot the pair, look in the western sky before Dawn.
CLICK HERE for more rise/set/viewing times for anywhere in the world.
CLICK HERE to learn more about sky-watching from the U.S. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command.
Meteorologist Carrie Rose
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