Four of the visible planets, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and Mercury, will appear together in the southwestern skies a short time after sunset.

We’ve been watching Venus, the brightest of them all for weeks. Jupiter is the second brightest and appears above and to the left of Venus. Look in between Venus and Jupiter for the bright planet Saturn.

These three have been staging a pleasant show throughout the fall.

Now, beginning next week, the faint planet Mercury joins the trio. Mercury will appear just a few degrees to the south of Venus. Mercury is getting higher and will in the nights ahead pass by Venus.

Venus is sinking nightly and will disappear quickly from view in the New Year.

Comet Leonard

Comet Leonard was never bright enough to see in our night sky. We tried looking for it this week and it just wasn’t visible.