Moon, Venus, Jupiter September 11 to 13
Bruce McClure in TONIGHT | September 11, 2018


On September 11, 12 and 13, 2018, look west after sunset to spot the crescent moon, plus the planets Venus and Jupiter. You can’t miss them if your sky is clear! The moon, Venus and Jupiter rank as the second brightest, third brightest and fourth brightest sky objects, respectively, after the sun.

From approximately July 7 to September 7, 2018, Mars outshone Jupiter. This was the peak of a 15-year cycle for Mars, whereby its brightness waxes and wanes in our sky around the time Earth is passing between the sun and Mars. In 2018, Mars was brighter than it had been since 2003. It was brighter than Jupiter. Now, Jupiter has reclaimed its rank as fourth-brightest sky object.

By the way, you won’t have to wait 15 years to see Mars brighter than Jupiter again. Mars will briefly surpass Jupiter in brilliance again in late September 2020.

There are four planets in our evening sky now:


Catch 4 bright planets at evening dusk.