A Stunning Morning Sky Awaits You!

This Sunday morning, prepare to be mesmerized as the dazzling planet Venus dances alongside the beautiful Beehive Cluster (M44) in the constellation Cancer. Rising more than two hours before the Sun, these celestial wonders reach an impressive height of nearly 20° in the eastern sky, just an hour before dawn.

Venus shines brightly at a magnitude of -3.9, making it a brilliant beacon that's impossible to miss, located just 1.4° southwest (to the upper right) of the Beehive. Although M44 is visible to the naked eye at a magnitude of 3.1, catching a glimpse while it's low on the horizon can be tricky.

Binoculars: Your Best Friend for Stargazing

For an optimal view, grab your binoculars or use your telescope's finder scope to explore the sparkling stars of the Beehive Cluster. A small telescope with a wide field of view will not only help you spot several of its stars but could also bring Venus into focus!

Venus Up Close: A Gibbous Wonder!

If you take a closer look through a telescope, Venus reveals its stunning 12-inch-wide gibbous disk, illuminated 84% by the Sun. What you behold is sunlight reflecting off the thick carbon dioxide clouds enveloping the planet, which not only conceals its surface but also creates a scorching greenhouse effect, raising temperatures to about 870°F (465°C).

Plan Your Viewing!

Here's when to catch all this celestial magic: - **Sunrise:** 6:27 A.M. - **Sunset:** 7:33 P.M. - **Moonrise:** 2:57 P.M. - **Moonset:** 11:41 P.M. - **Moon Phase:** Waxing gibbous (54%) *Note: Times are provided in local time for the coordinates 40° N 90° W.

With these astronomical gems lighting up your morning sky, don’t miss out on this breathtaking spectacle!