Objects in your sky: Planets

by Dominic Ford

The visibility of the planets on

From location

South El Monte
Rise10:37
Set21:29

The Moon is a 4 day-old waxing crescent, and is approaching first quarter. From South El Monte, it will become visible at around 19:39 (PDT), 19° above your south-western horizon, as dusk fades to darkness. It will then sink towards the horizon, setting 2 hours and 5 minutes after the Sun at 21:29.

22 Aug 2025  –  New Moon
30 Aug 2025  –  Moon at First Quarter
07 Sep 2025  –  Full Moon
14 Sep 2025  –  Moon at Last Quarter
Rise05:06
Set18:42

Mercury remains just about visible as a morning object, now well past greatest elongation west and returning closer to the Sun. From South El Monte, it is visible in the dawn sky, rising at 05:02 (PDT) – 1 hour and 17 minutes before the Sun – and reaching an altitude of 11° above the eastern horizon before fading from view as dawn breaks at around 06:03.

Rise03:46
Set17:43

Venus remains just about visible as a morning object, now well past greatest elongation west and returning closer to the Sun. From South El Monte, it is visible in the dawn sky, rising at 03:43 (PDT) – 2 hours and 36 minutes before the Sun – and reaching an altitude of 27° above the eastern horizon before fading from view as dawn breaks at around 06:03.

Rise09:24
Set21:04

Mars will soon pass behind the Sun at solar conjunction. From South El Monte, it is not observable – it will reach its highest point in the sky during daytime and is no higher than 10° above the horizon at dusk.

23 Feb 2025  –  Mars ends retrograde motion
10 Jan 2027  –  Mars enters retrograde motion
19 Feb 2027  –  Mars at opposition
19 Feb 2027  –  Mars at perigee
Rise02:32
Set16:47

Jupiter recently passed behind the Sun at solar conjunction. From South El Monte, however, it is visible in the dawn sky, rising at 02:32 (PDT) – 3 hours and 47 minutes before the Sun – and reaching an altitude of 41° above the eastern horizon before fading from view as dawn breaks at around 06:03.

04 Feb 2025  –  Jupiter ends retrograde motion
11 Nov 2025  –  Jupiter enters retrograde motion
10 Jan 2026  –  Jupiter at opposition
10 Mar 2026  –  Jupiter ends retrograde motion
Rise20:35
Set08:29

Saturn is currently approaching opposition and is visible as a morning object. From South El Monte, it is visible in the morning sky, becoming accessible around 21:33, when it reaches an altitude of 11° above your eastern horizon. It will then reach its highest point in the sky at 02:32, 53° above your southern horizon. It will be lost to dawn twilight around 05:47, 31° above your south-western horizon.

12 Jul 2025  –  Saturn enters retrograde motion
20 Sep 2025  –  Saturn at opposition
27 Nov 2025  –  Saturn ends retrograde motion
26 Jul 2026  –  Saturn enters retrograde motion
Rise23:23
Set13:24

Uranus is currently emerging from behind the Sun. From South El Monte, it is visible in the dawn sky, rising at 23:23 (PDT) and reaching an altitude of 69° above the south-eastern horizon before fading from view as dawn breaks at around 05:18.

30 Jan 2025  –  Uranus ends retrograde motion
05 Sep 2025  –  Uranus enters retrograde motion
21 Nov 2025  –  Uranus at opposition
03 Feb 2026  –  Uranus ends retrograde motion
Rise20:34
Set08:35

Neptune is currently approaching opposition and is visible as a morning object. From South El Monte, it is visible in the morning sky, becoming accessible around 22:24, when it reaches an altitude of 21° above your eastern horizon. It will then reach its highest point in the sky at 02:34, 55° above your southern horizon. It will be lost to dawn twilight around 05:18, 38° above your south-western horizon.

04 Jul 2025  –  Neptune enters retrograde motion
23 Sep 2025  –  Neptune at opposition
10 Dec 2025  –  Neptune ends retrograde motion
07 Jul 2026  –  Neptune enters retrograde motion

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