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distant planet you can see with your eye alone. And there will be two other planets nearby. In fact, the world that might catch your eye first will be Venus, brightest of the planets. Mercury is there, too, visible very low in the sky shortly before the sun comes up. The moon will pass near Venus on December 11 and Mercury on December 12. These next few mornings will be a grand time to look at the predawn sky!
• The moon and Saturn will rise into the predawn sky around 4 a.m. local time at mid-northern latitudes on Sunday, December 10. At latitudes farther south, the moon and Saturn rise earlier yet. They are visible from around the world.
• The grand procession of morning planets continues until morning dawn. Venus, the brightest planet of them all, rises next, though this dazzling world follows Saturn into the sky all the sooner at southerly latitudes than it does at northerly latitudes. Finally, Mercury, the innermost planet, comes up about 90 minutes before sunrise at mid-northern latitudes and approximately an hour before the sun at middle latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere.
• A planisphere is virtually indispensable for beginning stargazers. Order your EarthSky Planisphere today!
• If you have difficulty seeing Mercury, draw an imaginary line from Saturn through Venus to locate Mercury near the horizon. If you have binoculars, they may help you to see Mercury in the glow of dawn. Although Mercury shines on par with the sky's brightest stars, its luster is sometimes tarnished by the murky haze looming by the horizon.
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