If it looks like it is going to be clear for your area tomorrow morning an hour before dawn, get outside and take a look at an impressive line up in the southern sky.
The imaginary line in the sky where the Sun, Moon and planets can be seen is called the Ecliptic. It makes its way through the sky falling within the 12 constellations of the Zodiac and its angle above the horizon depends on what time of the year it is.
In the winter the ecliptic at night rides high in the sky. And now in the hours before dawn the summer constellations with the glorious Milky Way have the ecliptic at a lower angle above the horizon in the south.
This morning (2/20/14) I was out an hour or so before dawn (it is getting lighter earlier) and saw a pretty line up along the ecliptic of brightening and reddish Mars, the almost Last Quarter Moon, bright pale yellowish-white Saturn, the summer constellations of Scorpius and Sagittarius and finally, brilliant Venus. It has been awhile since we have had a lineup in the sky like that so it is worth getting out to see it tomorrow or the next few mornings.
Wishing you clear skies and warmer temps!
Sky Guy in Warmer VA
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