Objects in your sky: Planets

by Dominic Ford

The visibility of the planets on

From location

South El Monte
Rise06:04
Set19:49

The Moon is a 0 day-old waxing crescent, and recently passed new moon. From South El Monte, it is not readily observable since it is very close to the Sun, at a separation of only 5° from it.

12 Aug 2026  –  New Moon
19 Aug 2026  –  Moon at First Quarter
27 Aug 2026  –  Full Moon
04 Sep 2026  –  Moon at Last Quarter
Rise04:57
Set18:55

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 04:53 (PDT) – 1 hour and 15 minutes before the Sun – and reaching an altitude of 10° above the eastern horizon before fading from view as dawn breaks at around 05:52.

Rise09:51
Set21:39

Venus is emerging into the evening sky as it approaches greatest elongation east. From South El Monte, it will become visible at around 19:58 (PDT), 19° above your western horizon, as dusk fades to darkness. It will then sink towards the horizon, setting 1 hour and 56 minutes after the Sun at 21:38.

Rise02:18
Set16:42

Mars is currently emerging from behind the Sun. From South El Monte, it is visible in the dawn sky, rising at 02:16 (PDT) – 3 hours and 52 minutes before the Sun – and reaching an altitude of 36° above the eastern horizon before fading from view as dawn breaks at around 05:28.

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
Rise05:19
Set19:09

Jupiter recently passed 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 5° above the horizon at dawn.

10 Mar 2026  –  Jupiter ends retrograde motion
12 Dec 2026  –  Jupiter enters retrograde motion
10 Feb 2027  –  Jupiter at opposition
12 Apr 2027  –  Jupiter ends retrograde motion
Rise22:13
Set10:35

Saturn is currently visible as a morning object. From South El Monte, it is visible in the morning sky, becoming accessible around 23:07, when it reaches an altitude of 10° above your eastern horizon. It will then reach its highest point in the sky at 04:24, 59° above your southern horizon. It will be lost to dawn twilight around 05:38, 54° above your south-western horizon.

26 Jul 2026  –  Saturn enters retrograde motion
04 Oct 2026  –  Saturn at opposition
10 Dec 2026  –  Saturn ends retrograde motion
09 Aug 2027  –  Saturn enters retrograde motion
Rise00:37
Set14:43

Uranus is currently emerging from behind the Sun. From South El Monte, it is visible in the dawn sky, rising at 00:37 (PDT) and reaching an altitude of 53° above the eastern horizon before fading from view as dawn breaks at around 05:04.

03 Feb 2026  –  Uranus ends retrograde motion
10 Sep 2026  –  Uranus enters retrograde motion
25 Nov 2026  –  Uranus at opposition
08 Feb 2027  –  Uranus ends retrograde motion
Rise21:41
Set09:47

Neptune is currently visible as a morning object. From South El Monte, it is visible in the morning sky, becoming accessible around 23:31, when it reaches an altitude of 21° above your eastern horizon. It will then reach its highest point in the sky at 03:44, 56° above your southern horizon. It will be lost to dawn twilight around 05:04, 51° above your south-western horizon.

07 Jul 2026  –  Neptune enters retrograde motion
25 Sep 2026  –  Neptune at opposition
12 Dec 2026  –  Neptune ends retrograde motion
09 Jul 2027  –  Neptune enters retrograde motion

Share