Saturn in Virgo, setting for Fall

I snapped this shot of Saturn from my porch at about 1030 last night.  Saturn will be visible on the Western horizon after sunset for a few more weeks, starting lower and lower on the horizon each night.  The Sun will eventually eclipse it, and it will remain hidden in the area of the Sun until it reappears in the mornings of early November, rising in front of the Sun just before sunrise.

click photo to enlarge

In the photo, Saturn is the brightest star, center-right just above the horizon.  Just beside Saturn is Porrima of Virgo.  Two other stars from Virgo are also visible in the picture, however, the star Spica, Virgo's brightest, had already set behind one of the trees by the time I got my camera ready.

Moon in Virgo with Saturn Conjunction

Wedensday, July 6, South-Western Sky 10:10pm

This week, the Moon will pass by Saturn, Corvus and Virgo as it continues along its 4 week journey around the ecliptic.  After sunset, the bright side of the moon will face the area of the sunset in the Western sky, and viewing will be best just after 10pm. 

Thursday, July 7, South-Western Sky 10:10pm

The closest conjunction will be tomorrow, July 7^th, When the Moon passes through the space between Saturn, Spica of Virgo, and the constellation Corvus. 

Friday, July 8, South-Western Sky 10:10pm

If weather ruins the conjunction on July 7^th, the next night the moon will have moved further along, but it will still be in close conjunction with Spica.  Antares of Scorpius will be at its highest point in the South, off to the left.