Mars can be seen at sunset very high in the south-southeastern sky moving out of Taurus (the Bull) by midmonth into the constellation of Gemini (the Twins.) Mars is bright but dims throughout the month. Mars can be seen crossing high through the southern sky and setting in the western sky before dawn. Mars looks like a bright, ruddy-colored star.

Saturn can be seen at sunset in the eastern sky in the constellation Leo (the Lion) just to the left (east) of the bright star Regulus (the Heart of the Lion), the tip of the backward questionmark. Saturn is in retrograde motion, meaning it is moving westward among the background of stars. Saturn is slowly moving toward Regulus, and will reach its closest point in May. Saturn is very bright, having reached its maximum brightness for 2008 at the end of February. Saturn can be seen almost all night too, after reaching opposition in February. Saturn appears low in the western sky by sunrise. Saturn looks like an amber-colored star.

Jupiter can be seen rising in the southeastern sky before dawn just northeast (to the left) of the Teapot shape in the constellation of Sagittarius (the Archer). Jupiter can be seen for about 3 hours at the beginning of February, and for 4 hours by the end of the month as rises a little earlier each night. Jupiter looks like a bright, yellow-colored star.

Venus can be seen rising in the eastern sky before dawn passing out of the constellation Capricornus (the SeaGoat). Venus is visible for about one hour before sunrise at the beginning of March, but only a half hour by the end of the month. Look for Venus to the lower left (east) of Jupiter. Venus will be very hard to see after midmonth as it moves into the sun’s glare. Venus looks like a very bright white star.

Mercury can be seen before dawn as it rises in the southeastern sky in the constellation Capricornus (the SeaGoat), below and left (east) of Venus. Mercury will be very difficult to see after midmonth as it heads for superior conjunction (behind the sun as seen from Earth) in April. Mercury looks like a small, white star.