Matthew – Griffith Media

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This is the Griffith Observatory Sky Report for the period between January 1 and January 31, 2026. Here are the events happening in the sky of southern California.

Mercury, Venus, and Mars are close to the sun and are not safe to observe. Do not observe any planet when it comes close to the sun, for the danger to the eyes is great.

Jupiter is in the constellation Gemini the Twins. On the 1st, Jupiter rises in the east-northeast at 5:32 p.m., PST, with a disk that is 47 arcseconds wide. On the 31st, Jupiter sets in the west-northwest at 5:35 a.m., PST. A telescope capable of magnification 50x will show the Red Spot, and the four bright Galilean moons can be seen moving back and forth, across and behind Jupiter.

Saturn is in the constellation Pisces the Fishes. On the 1st, Saturn sets in the west at 10:49 p.m., PST. On the 31st, Saturn sets in the west at 9:02 p.m., PST. The disk of Saturn is 17 arcseconds wide. The rings and Saturn’s largest moon Titan may be seen with a telescope capable of magnification 50x.

Uranus is in the constellation Taurus the Bull. On the 1st, Uranus sets in the west-northwest at 3:50 a.m., PST. On the 31st, the planet sets in the west-northwest at 1:50 a.m., PST. On the 15th, Uranus is at Right Ascension 3h 41m 39s with a declination of +19° 26ʹ 34ʺ. The disk of Uranus is 3.7 arcseconds wide, and so a telescope with a magnification of 150x is needed.

Neptune is in the constellation Pisces the Fishes. On the 1st, Neptune sets in the west at 11:05 p.m., PST. On the 31st, Neptune sets in the west at 9:10 p.m., PST. On the 15th, Neptune is at Right Ascension 0h 1m 8s with a declination of -1° 19ʹ 14ʺ. The disk of Neptune is only 2.3 arcseconds wide, and so a telescope with a magnification of 150x is needed to show the disk.

Full Moon is on the 3rd, last quarter on the 10th, new moon on the 18th, and first quarter on the 25th.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The Quadrantid meteor shower will peak on the night of the 3rd and through to the morning of the 4th. The peak usually lasts only six hours. Rates may approach 25 meteors per hour, but the full moon will interfere with observation. These meteors usually lack persistent trains but can produce bright fireballs. They appear to radiate from the constellation Boötes the Herdsman.

Griffith Observatory normally provides free public sky observing day and night–weath­er permitting–through a variety of telescopes. Currently, the Observatory is open Tuesday through Sunday. To plan a visit to the Observatory, please see our website (www. griffithobs.org) for the latest information. The Sky Report, also available on the website, pro­vides monthly observing information.

Follow All Space Considered and Griffith Observatory on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter for updates on astronomy and space-related events.

LISTEN to this week’s Sky Report

https://www.griffithmedia.org/skyreport/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/DEC_2025_Sky_Report.mp3

This is the Griffith Observatory Sky Report for the period between December 1 and December 31, 2025. Here are the events happening in the sky of southern California.

Mercury on the 1st, rises in the east-southeast at 5:08 a.m., PST, and the sun rises at 6:41 a.m., PST. The planet is 36-percent illuminated and 8.0 arcseconds wide. On the 31st, Mercury rises at 6:11 a.m., PST, and the sun rises at 6:59 a.m., PST, 48 minutes later. The planet is close to the sun and cannot be safely observed. Do not observe any planet when it comes close to the sun, for the danger to the eyes is great.

Venus rises in the east-southeast at 6:00 a.m., PST, on the 1st, 41 minutes before the sun rises, and cannot be safely observed.

Mars, on the 1st, sets in the west-southwest at 5:19 p.m., PST, and the sun sets at 4:44 p.m., PST, 35 minutes before. The planet is close to the sun and cannot be safely observed.

Jupiter on the 1st, rises in the east-northeast at 7:50 p.m., PST, and is 44 arcseconds wide. On the 31st, Jupiter rises at 5:37 p.m., PST, and is 46 arcseconds wide. A telescope capable of magnification 50x will show the Red Spot, and the four bright Galilean moons can be seen moving back and forth, across and behind Jupiter.

Saturn on the 1st, sets in the west at 12:49 a.m., PST, and is 18 arcseconds wide. On the 31st, Saturn sets at 10:52 p.m., PST. The rings and Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, can be seen with a telescope capable of magnification 50x.

Uranus on the 1st, sets in the west-northwest at 5:57 a.m., PST. On the 31st, Uranus sets at 3:54 a.m., PST. On the 15th, Uranus is at Right Ascension 3h 45m 14s and declination +19° 37ʹ 42ʺ. A magnification of 150x or more is needed to see the planet’s 3.8-arcsecond disk.

Neptune on the 1st, sets in the west at 1:10 a.m., PST. On the 31st, Neptune sets at 11:09 p.m., PST. On the 15th, Neptune is at Right Ascension 23h 59m 51s and declination -1° 28ʹ 48ʺ. A magnification of 150x or more is needed to see the planet’s 2.3-arcsecond disk.

Full Moon is on the 4th, last quarter on the 11th, new moon is on the 19th, and first quarter is on the 27th.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The winter solstice occurs on December 21 at 7:03 a.m., PST. The sun reaches its southernmost point on the ecliptic, reverses its movement south, and heads north. This marks the longest night and the shortest day of the year. The sun rises at 6:55 a.m., PST, and sets at 4:48 p.m., PST. The day is 9 hours 53 minutes long.

Lunar-X is visible on the 26th for a few hours, beginning at 5:23 p.m., PST. Lunar-X is a feature on the first quarter moon just within the dark half of the moon and midway between the center point and the southern edge. It is due to the rims of two craters illuminated by the sun. A telescope with a magnification of 50x or more is needed to see it.

The Geminid meteor shower is usually the strongest meteor shower of the year. The shower is active from December 1 through December 21 and peaks from the evening of the 13th through the morning of the 14th. This is the one major shower that provides good activity prior to midnight, as the constellation of Gemini is well placed from 10:00 p.m., PST, onward. The Geminids are often bright and intensely colored. Due to their medium-slow velocity, persistent trains are not usually seen. The parent object is the asteroid 3200 Phaethon and not a comet, as is usual for meteor showers. On the night of the 13th, the moon will be a waning crescent and will not interfere with observations.

The Ursid meteor shower is often neglected, for it peaks just before Christmas with a rate much lower than the Geminids, which peak a week before the Ursids. This year the Ursids appear from the 16th through the 26th, with the peak occurring from the night of the 21st to the morning of the 22nd. Observers normally see 5-10 Ursids per hour during the late morning hours on the date of maximum activity. There have been occasional outbursts with rates exceeding 25 per hour. The parent object is the comet 8P/Tuttle. The moon will be a waxing crescent and will not interfere with observations until after midnight.

In the major lunar standstill of 2024-2025, the December northernmost moon rises in full phase on the 5th at 5:27 p.m., PST, and sets on the 6th at 8:55 a.m., PST. Griffith Observatory will livestream broadcast this northernmost moonrise. The December southernmost moon rises as a new moon and cannot be observed. For details on the major lunar standstill, please visit the website at https://griffithobservatory.org/extreme-moon-the-major-lunar-standstills-of-2024-2025/

Griffith Observatory normally provides free public sky observing day and night – weath­er permitting – through a variety of telescopes. Currently, the Observatory is open Tuesday through Sunday. To plan a visit to the Observatory, please see our website (www.griffithobs.org) for the latest information. The Sky Report, also available on the website, pro­vides monthly observing information.

Follow All Space Considered and Griffith Observatory on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter for updates on astronomy and space-related events.

LISTEN to this week’s Sky Report

https://www.griffithmedia.org/skyreport/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/NOV_2025_Sky_Report.mp3

This is the Griffith Observatory Sky Report for the period between November 1 and November 30, 2025. Here are the events happening in the sky of southern California.

Mercury sets in the west-southwest at 7:04 p.m., PDT, on the 1st, and the sun sets at 6:00 p.m., PDT. The planet is 58-percent illuminated and 6.9 arcseconds wide. After the 1st, Mercury is close to the sun and is not safe to observe. On the 25th, Mercury rises in the east-southeast at 5:39 a.m., PST, and the sun rises at 6:36 a.m., PST. Mercury’s disk is 9.0-percent illuminated and 9.4 arcseconds wide. On the 30th, Mercury rises at 5:11 a.m., PST, and the sun rises at 6:40 a.m., PST. The planet is 31-percent illuminated and 8.2 arcseconds wide. Do not observe any planet when it comes close to the sun, for the danger to the eyes is great.

Venus rises in the east at 5:56 a.m., PDT, on the 1st, and the sun rises at 7:13 a.m., PDT. The planet is 96-percent illuminated and ten arcseconds wide. On the 30th, Venus rises in the east-southeast at 5:57 a.m., PST. The planet is 99-percent illuminated and 9.9 arcseconds wide. A small telescope with a magnification of 100x will show the disk.

Mars sets in the west-southwest at 6:56 p.m., PDT, on the 1st. The planet is close to the sun and is not safe to observe.

Jupiter, on the 1st, rises in the east-northeast at 10:50 p.m., PDT. On the 30th, the planet rises at 7:54 p.m., PST. Jupiter is 44 arcseconds wide. A telescope capable of magnification 50x will show the Red Spot, and the four bright Galilean moons can be seen moving back and forth, across and behind Jupiter.

Saturn, on the 1st, sets in the west at 3:50 a.m., PDT. On the 30th, Saturn sets at 12:53 a.m., PST. The rings and Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, can be seen with a telescope capable of magnification 50x.

Uranus, on the 1st, rises in the east-northeast at 7:00 p.m., PDT. On the 30th, Uranus rises at 4:01 p.m., PST. On the 15th, Uranus is at Right Ascension 3h 50m 17s and declination +19° 53ʹ 12ʺ. A magnification of 150x or more is needed to see the planet’s 3.8-arcsecond disk.

Neptune, on the 1st, sets in the west at 4:10 a.m., PDT. On the 30th, Neptune sets at 1:14 a.m., PST. On the 15th, Neptune is at Right Ascension 0h 0m 32s and declination -1° 25ʹ 37ʺ. A magnification of 150x or more is needed to see the planet’s 2.3-arcsecond disk.

Full moon is on the 5th, last quarter on the 11th, new moon on the 19th, and first quarter on the 27th.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 2, at 2:00 a.m. All clocks must be set back one hour, according to the saying, “Spring forward, fall back.”

In the major lunar standstill of 2024-2025, the November northernmost moon rises in waning gibbous phase on the 7th at 6:44 p.m., PST, and sets on the 8th at 10:12 a.m., PST. Griffith Observatory will livestream broadcast this northernmost moonrise. The November southernmost moon rises as a waxing crescent at 8:58 a.m., PST, on the 22nd and sets at 6:26 p.m., PST. Griffith Observatory will not broadcast this southernmost moonset. For details on the major lunar standstill, please visit the website at https://griffithobservatory.org/extreme-moon-the-major-lunar-standstills-of-2024-2025/

The Leonid meteor shower peaks from the evening of the 16th through to the morning of 17th. The shower is named after the constellation of Leo the Lion, where the meteors appear to originate. The Leonids usually produce ten meteors per hour with many bright meteors. The moon rises in the early morning sky, 10-percent illuminated, and will not interfere with observation this year. The parent object is the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle.

The Northern Taurid meteor shower peaks from the evening of the 8th to the morning of the 9th. The shower is named after the constellation of Taurus the Bull, where the meteors appear to originate. The moon rises in the late evening sky, 83-percent waning gibbous, and will interfere with observations. The parent object is the comet 2P/Encke. The Northern Taurids might produce ten to 20 meteors per hour, with occasional fireballs.

The Southern Taurid meteor shower peaks from the evening of the 4th through to the morning of the 5th. The shower is named after the constellation of Taurus the Bull, where the meteors appear to originate. The moon is a 96-percent waning gibbous and will interfere with observations. The parent object is the comet 2P/Encke. The Southern Taurids rarely produce more than five meteors per hour, but many are bright fireballs.

Follow All Space Considered and Griffith Observatory on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter for updates on astronomy and space-related events.

LISTEN to this week’s Sky Report

This is the Griffith Observatory Sky Report for the period between October 1 and October 31, 2025. Here are the events happening in the sky of southern California.

Mercury sets in the west at 7:11 p.m., PDT, on the 1st, and the sun sets at 6:37 p.m., PDT. The planet is 93-percent illuminated and 4.9 arcseconds wide.  On the 31st, the sun sets at 6:01 p.m., PDT, and Mercury sets in the west-southwest at 7:05 p.m., PDT, one hour four minutes later. Mercury’s disk is 61-percent illuminated and 6.8 arcseconds wide. A magnification of 150x is needed to see its disk. Do not observe any planet when it comes close to the sun, for the danger to the eyes is great.

Venus rises in the east at 4:55 a.m., PDT, on the 1st, and the sun rises at 6:48 a.m., PDT. The planet is 91-percent illuminated and 11 arcseconds wide. On the 31st, Venus rises in the east at 5:54 a.m., PDT, and the sun rises at 7:12 a.m., PDT, one hour 18 minutes later. The planet is 96-percent illuminated and ten arcseconds wide. A small telescope will show the disk with a magnification of 100x.

Mars sets in the west-southwest at 7:51 a.m., PDT, on the 1st. On the 4th, the planet crosses from Virgo the Maiden into Libra the Scales. On the 31st, Mars sets at 6:58 p.m., PDT, 57 minutes after the sun sets. Mars is 99-percent illuminated and 4.0 arcseconds wide and is too small to reveal details on its disk

Jupiter, on the 1st, rises in the east-northeast at 12:44 a.m., PDT. On the 31st, the planet rises at 10:54 p.m., PDT. Jupiter is 40 arcseconds wide. A telescope capable of magnification 50x will show the Red Spot, and the four bright Galilean moons can be seen moving back and forth, across and behind Jupiter.

Saturn, on the 1st, rises in the east at 6:11 p.m., PDT. On the 31st, Saturn sets in the west at 3:54 a.m., PDT. The rings and Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, can be seen with a telescope capable of magnification 50x.

Uranus, on the 1st, rises in the east-northeast at 9:05 p.m., PDT. On the 31st, Uranus rises at 7:04 p.m., PDT. On the 15th, Uranus is at Right Ascension 3h 55m 3s and declination +20° 7ʹ 26ʺ. A magnification of 150x or more is needed to see the planet’s 3.8-arcsecond disk.

Neptune, on the 1st, rises in the east at 6:14 p.m., PDT, and the sun sets at 6:37 p.m., PDT. On the 31st, Neptune sets due west at 4:14 a.m., PDT. On the 15th, Neptune is at Right Ascension 0h 2m 51s and declination -1° 11ʹ 17ʺ. A magnification of 150x or more is needed to see the planet’s 2.3-arcsecond disk.

Full moon is on the 6th, last quarter on the 13th, new moon on the 21st, and first quarter on the 29th.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The Orionid meteor shower is active from October 2nd to November 7th. The Orionids produce 10 to 20 shower members at maximum. The radiant is in the constellation Orion the Hunter. The parent object is the famous comet 1P/Halley. The peak is on the night of October 20 to 21. The new moon will not interfere with observations.

In the major lunar standstill of 2024-2025, the October northernmost moon rises in waning gibbous phase on the 11th at 9:59 p.m., PDT, and sets on the 12th at 1:27 p.m., PDT. Griffith Observatory will livestream broadcast this northernmost moonrise from Chimney Rock, Colorado, on October 11 and October 12. The October southernmost moon rises as a waxing crescent at 12:03 p.m., PDT, on the 26th and sets at 9:31 p.m., PDT. Griffith Observatory may broadcast this southernmost moonset. For details on the major lunar standstill, please visit the website at https://griffithobservatory.org/extreme-moon-the-major-lunar-standstills-of-2024-2025/

Follow All Space Considered and Griffith Observatory on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter for updates on astronomy and space-related events.

LISTEN to this week’s Sky Report

This is the Griffith Observatory Sky Report for the period between September 1 and September 30, 2025. Here are the events happening in the sky of southern California.

All times are in Pacific Daylight Time, PDT.

The sun rises on the 1st at 6:27 a.m., and sets at 7:18 p.m. On the 30th, the sun rises at 6:47 a.m. and sets at 6:38 p.m.

Mercury is close to the sun all month long and is not safe to observe. Do not observe any planet when it comes close to the sun, for the danger to the eyes is great.

Venus rises in the east-northeast at 3:57 a.m., on the 1st, with a disk 84-percent illuminated and 12 arcseconds wide. On the 19th, Venus is about a degree west of the waning crescent moon. Both rise in the east-northeast around 4:30 a.m., PDT. On the 30th, Venus rises in the east at 4:53 a.m., PDT, with a disk 89-percent illuminated and 11 arcseconds wide.

Mars is in Virgo the Maiden. Mars is close to sun all month long and is not safe to observe.

Jupiter is in Gemini the Twins. On the 1st, the planet rises in the east-northeast at 2:21 a.m. The planet is 34 arcseconds wide. On the 30th, Jupiter rises at 12:48 a.m. A telescope capable of magnification 50x will show the Red Spot, and the four bright Galilean moons can be seen moving back and forth, across and behind Jupiter.

Saturn is in Pisces the Fishes. On the 1st, Saturn rises in the east at 8:15 p.m., and is 19 arcseconds wide. On the 3rd, Titan’s shadow starts transiting Saturn’s disk at 10:01 p.m. The transit ends on the 4th, at 1:48 a.m. Titan’s shadow is about half an arcsecond in width, and a magnification of 300x or more is needed to see it. On the 30th, the planet rises at 6:15 p.m. The rings and Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, can be seen with a telescope capable of magnification 50x.

Uranus is in Taurus the Bull. On the 1st, the planet rises in the east-northeast at 11:04 p.m. On the 30th, Uranus rises at 9:09 p.m. On the 15th, Uranus is at Right Ascension 3h 57m 26s and declination of +20° 14ʹ 27ʺ. A magnification of 150x or more is needed to see the planet’s 3.7-arcsecond disk.

Neptune is in Pisces the Fishes. On the 1st, Neptune rises in the east at 8:14 p.m. On the 30th, Neptune rises at 6:18 p.m. On the 15th, Neptune is at Right Ascension 00h 05m 50s and declination of -00° 51ʹ 51ʺ. A magnification of 150x or more is needed to see the planet’s 2.4-arcsecond disk.

The moon is full on the 7th, last quarter on the 14th, new on the 21st, and first quarter on the 29th.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Autumn begins and summer ends when the sun reaches the autumnal equinox on September 22 at 11:19 a.m. At this moment, the sun crosses the celestial equator from north to south on its journey along the ecliptic. The sun rises at 6:42 a.m., and sets at 6:49 p.m.. The day is 12 hours and seven minutes long. The days will continue to grow shorter, and the nights get longer, until the sun reaches the winter solstice on December 21.

In the major lunar standstill of 2024-2025, the September southernmost moon rises as waxing gibbous on the 1st at 3:28 p.m., and sets on the 2nd at 12:54 a.m. The September northernmost moon rises at near last quarter at 11:06 p.m., on the 13th, and sets on the 14th at 2:35 p.m. Griffith Observatory will livestream broadcast the northern moonrise from Chimney Rock, Colorado on the 13th. On the 28th, the second southernmost moon sets at first quarter phase at 10:43 p.m., and rises on the 29th at 2:10 p.m.  Griffith observatory is not planning any public event or web broadcast for this standstill. For details on the major lunar standstill, please visit the website at https://griffithobservatory.org/extreme-moon-the-major-lunar-standstills-of-2024-2025/

Follow All Space Considered and Griffith Observatory on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter for updates on astronomy and space-related events.

LISTEN to this week’s Sky Report

https://www.griffithmedia.org/skyreport/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Aug_2025_Sky_Report.mp3

This is the Griffith Observatory Sky Report for the period between August 1 and August 31, 2025. Here are the events happening in the sky of southern California.

All times are in Pacific Daylight Time, PDT.

The sun rises on the 1st in the east-northeast at 6:04 a.m., and sets in the west-northwest at 7:54 p.m.  On the 31st, the sun rises in the east-northeast at 6:26 a.m. and sets in the west-northwest at 7:20 p.m.

Mercury on the 1st is close to the sun and not safe to observe. On the 11th, Mercury rises in the east-northeast at 5:08 a.m., and the sun rises at 6:12 a.m., one hour four minutes later. The planet is 15-percent illuminated and 9.5 arcseconds wide. On the 31st, Mercury rises at 5:27 a.m., 59 minutes before the sun rises. Do not observe any planet when it comes close to the sun, for the danger to the eyes is great.

Venus rises on the 1st in the east-northeast at 3:12 a.m., with a disk 75-percent illuminated and 14 arcseconds wide. On the 12th, Venus is a degree south of Jupiter. Both rise at 3:25 a.m. On the 31st, Venus rises in the east-northeast at 3:56 a.m., with a disk 84-percent illuminated and 12-arcseconds wide.

Mars is in Virgo the Maiden. On the 1st, Mars sets in the west at 10:07 p.m., with a disk 95-percent illuminated and 4.2 arcseconds wide. On the 31st, Mars sets at 8:57 p.m.  A magnification of 200x or more is needed to see the planet’s disk.

Jupiter is in Gemini the Twins. On the 1st, Jupiter rises in the east-northeast at 3:54 a.m.  On the 31st, the planet rises at 2:24 a.m. Jupiter is 33 arcseconds wide. A telescope capable of magnification 50x will show the Red Spot, and the four bright Galilean moons can be seen moving back and forth, across and behind Jupiter.

Saturn is in Pisces the Fishes. On the 1st, the planet rises in the east at 10:20 p.m.  On the 31st, the planet rises at 8:19 p.m.  Saturn is 19 arcseconds wide. The rings and Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, can be seen with a telescope capable of magnification 50x. Saturn’s moon Titan will cast its shadow on Saturn’s disk twice this month. Such an event is called a transit. The first transit starts on the 2nd at 11:05 p.m. and ends on the 3rd at 4:01 a.m. The second transit starts on the 18th at 10:31 p.m. and ends on the 19th at 2:57 a.m.  Titan’s shadow is about half an arcsecond in width. A magnification of more than 300x is needed to see such a small feature.

Uranus is in Taurus the Bull. On the 1st, the planet rises in the east-northeast at 1:08 a.m.  On the 31st, Uranus rises at 11:08 p.m.  On the 15th, Uranus is at Right Ascension 3h 56m 42s and declination of +20° 12ʹ 22ʺ. A magnification of 200x or more is needed to see the planet’s 3.5 arcsecond disk.

Neptune is in Pisces the Fishes. On the 1st, Neptune rises in the east at 10:17 p.m.  On the 31st, Neptune rises at 8:18 p.m.  On the 15th, Neptune is at Right Ascension 0h 8m 34s and declination of -0° 33ʹ 9ʺ. A magnification of 200x or more is needed to see the planet’s 2.3 arcsecond disk.

The moon is at first quarter on the 1st, full moon on the 9th, last quarter on the 15th, new moon on the 22nd, and first quarter again on the 30th.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The Perseid meteors are active from July 17 to August 24. This year they peak from 10:00 p.m. on the 11th through 4:40 a.m. on the 12th. The moon is 92-percent full and will interfere with observation. Normal rates as seen from rural locations, range from 50 to 100 shower members per hour at maximum. The Perseids are particles released from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. They are called Perseids because the radiant, the area of the sky from which the meteors seem to originate, is located near the prominent constellation of Perseus the Hero.

In the major lunar standstill of 2024-2025, the August southernmost moon rises in waxing gibbous phase on the 5th at 5:38 p.m. and sets on the 6th at 3:08 a.m. The August northernmost moon rises as a waning crescent on the 18th at 1:11 a.m., and sets at 4:40 p.m.  For details on the major lunar standstill, please visit the website at https://griffithobservatory.org/extreme-moon-the-major-lunar-standstills-of-2024-2025/

Follow All Space Considered and Griffith Observatory on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter for updates on astronomy and space-related events.

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https://www.griffithmedia.org/skyreport/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/JUL_2025_Sky_Report.mp3

This is the Griffith Observatory Sky Report for the period between July 1 and July 31, 2025. Here are the events happening in the sky of southern California.

All times are in Pacific Daylight Time, PDT.

The sun rises on the 1st in the east-northeast at 5:46 a.m., and sets in the west-northwest at 8:09 p.m.  On the 31st, the sun rises in the east-northeast at 6:04 a.m. and sets in the west-northwest at 7:55 p.m.

Mercury on the 1st sets in the west-northwest at 9:44 p.m. with a disk 46-percent illuminated and 7.6 arcseconds wide. On the 17th, the sun sets at 8:04 p.m., and Mercury sets in the west-northwest at 8:56 p.m., 52 minutes later. The planet is 19-percent illuminated and ten arcseconds wide. After the 17th, Mercury is close to the sun, and it is not safe to observe it. Do not observe any planet when it comes close to the sun, for the danger to the eyes is great.

Venus rises on the 1st in the east-northeast at 3:04 a.m., with a disk 64-percent illuminated and 18-arcseconds wide. On the 31st, Venus rises in the east-northeast at 3:11 a.m., with a disk 75-percent illuminated and 14-arcseconds wide.

Mars is in Leo the Lion. On the 1st, Mars sets in the west-northwest at 11:22 p.m., with a disk 92-percent illuminated and 4.9-arcseconds wide. On the 31st, Mars sets in the west at 10:09 p.m., with a disk 94-percent illuminated and 4.4-arcseconds wide. A magnification of 200x or more is needed to see the planet’s disk.

Jupiter is in Gemini the Twins. On the 1st, Jupiter rises in the east-northeast at 5:25 a.m., 21 minutes before the sun rises, and is not safe to observe. Do not observe any planet when it is close to the sun, for the danger to the eyes is great. On the 15th, Jupiter rises in the east-northeast at 4:44 a.m., and the sun rises at 5:53 a.m., one hour nine minutes later. On the 31st, the planet rises at 3:57 a.m. Jupiter is 32-arcseconds wide. A telescope capable of magnification 50x will show the Red Spot, and the four bright Galilean moons can be seen moving back and forth, across and behind Jupiter.

Saturn is in Pisces the Fishes. On the 1st, Saturn rises in the east at 12:26 a.m. On the 31st, the planet rises at 10:24 p.m.  Saturn is 18-arcseconds wide. The rings and Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, can be seen with a telescope capable of magnification 50x. Saturn is one degree south of Neptune. Binoculars or a telescope with a magnification of 50x or less will show both planets in the same field of view.

Saturn’s moon Titan will cast its shadow on Saturn’s disk twice this month. Such an event is called a transit. The first transit starts on the 2nd, at 12:23 a.m., and ends at 6:00 a.m. The second transit starts on the 17th at 11:43 p.m., and ends on the 18th at 5:02 a.m.  Titan’s shadow is about half an arcsecond in width. A magnification of more than 300x is needed to see such a small feature.

Uranus is in Taurus the Bull. On the 1st, Uranus rises in the east-northeast at 3:05 a.m.  On the 31st, Uranus rises at 1:11 a.m.  On the 15th, Uranus is at Right Ascension 3h 52m 49s and declination of +20° 0ʹ 51ʺ. A magnification of 200x or more is needed to see the planet’s 3.5-arcsecond disk.

Neptune is in Pisces the Fishes. On the 1st, Neptune rises in the east at 12:23 a.m.  On the 31st, Neptune rises at 10:21 p.m.  On the 15th, Neptune is at Right Ascension 0h 10m 1s and declination of -0° 22ʹ 16ʺ. A magnification of 200x or more is needed to see the planet’s 2.3-arcsecond disk.

The moon is at first quarter on the 2nd, full moon on the 10th, last quarter on the 17th, and new moon on the 24th.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Lunar-X is visible on the moon on the afternoon of the 2nd for a few hours, starting at 5:15 p.m.  A telescope with a magnification of 100x is needed to see Lunar-X, which is caused by sunlight illuminating the rims of two craters, which appear as a white X on the dark portion of the moon.  It is located south of the center of the line between the lighted and dark halves of the moon.

In the major lunar standstill of 2024-2025, the July southernmost moon rises as a full moon on the 8th at 6:54 p.m., and sets on the 9th at 4:22 a.m. Griffith Observatory will do a web broadcast on the transit of July’s southernmost moon during the night of the 8th. The July northernmost moon rises as a waning crescent on the 22nd at 3:20 a.m., and sets at 6:49 p.m.  Griffith observatory is not conducting a public event or web broadcast for July’s northernmost moon. For details on the major lunar standstill, please visit the website at https://griffithobservatory.org/extreme-moon-the-major-lunar-standstills-of-2024-2025/

The Southern delta Aquariid meteor shower peaks from the night of the 29th through to the morning of the 30th. The waxing crescent moon will set early and will not interfere with observations. These meteors produce good rates for a week centered on the night of maximum. These are usually faint meteors that lack both persistent trains and fireballs.

The alpha Capricornid meteor shower peaks from the night of the 29th through to the morning of the 30th. Again, the moon will not interfere with observations. This shower is not very strong and rarely produces more than five shower members per hour. The shower is notable, however, for the number of bright fireballs produced during its activity period.

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This is the Griffith Observatory Sky Report for the period between June 1 and June 30, 2025. Here are the events happening in the sky of southern California.

All times are in Pacific Daylight Time, PDT.

The sun rises on the 1st at 5:43 a.m., and sets at 8:00 p.m.  On the 30th, the sun rises at 5:45 a.m. and sets at 8:09 p.m.

Mercury on the 1st is close to the sun and cannot be safely observed.  On the 9th, the sun sets at 8:04 p.m., and Mercury sets in the west-northwest at 9:07 p.m., one hour three minutes later. The planet is 89-percent illuminated and 5.4 arcseconds wide. On the 30th, Mercury sets in the west-northwest at 9:45 p.m., one hour 36 minutes later. The planet is 46-percent illuminated and 7.5 arcseconds wide.

Venus rises in the east at 3:26 a.m. and is 50-percent illuminated and 24 arcseconds wide. On the 30th, Venus rises in the east-northeast at 3:04 a.m. and is 63-percent illuminated and 18 arcseconds wide.

Mars is in Leo the Lion. On the 1st, Mars sets in the west-northwest at 12:37 a.m. and is 91-percent illuminated and 5.5 arcseconds wide. On the 30th, Mars sets in the west-northwest at 11:24 p.m. and is 92-percent illuminated and 4.9 arcseconds wide. On the 29th at 6:15 p.m., Mars is only 17 arcminutes from the center of the 24-percent-illuminated waxing crescent moon, two arcminutes from the lunar limb. A magnification of over 150x is needed to see the planet’s small disk.

Jupiter moves from Taurus the Bull into Gemini the Twins on the 11th. On the 1st, Jupiter sets in the west-northwest at 9:13 p.m., one hour 13 minutes after the sun sets. On the 6th, the sun sets at 8:03 p.m., and Jupiter sets at 8:58 p.m., 55 minutes later.  After the 6th, Jupiter is close to the sun and is not safe to observe. The planet is 34 arcseconds wide. A telescope capable of magnification 50x will show the Red Spot, and the four bright Galilean moons can be seen moving back and forth, across and behind Jupiter.

Saturn is in Pisces the Fishes. On the 1st, Saturn rises in the east at 2:20 a.m. On the 30th, the planet rises at 12:30 a.m. Saturn is 17 arcseconds wide. The rings and Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, can be seen with a telescope capable of magnification 50x. Saturn is about one degree south of Neptune in June.

Uranus is close to the sun on the 1st and not safe to observe. On the 6th, the planet rises in the east-northeast at 4:39 a.m., and the sun rises at 5:42 a.m., one hour three minutes later. On the 30th, Uranus rises at 3:09 a.m. On the 15th, Uranus is at Right Ascension 3h 46m 51s and declination of +19° 42ʹ 21ʺ. A magnification of 150x or more is needed to see the planet’s 3.5-arcsecond disk.

Neptune rises on the 1st in the east at 2:20 a.m. On the 30th, the planet rises at 12:27 a.m. On the 15th, Neptune is at Right Ascension 0h 9m 40s and declination of -0° 22ʹ 47ʺ. A magnification of 150x or more is needed to see the planet’s 2.3-arcsecond disk. Neptune is a degree north of Saturn all month long.

The moon is at first quarter on the 2nd, full moon on the 11th, last quarter on the 18th, and new moon on the 25th.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Summer begins in the northern hemisphere, and winter in the southern hemisphere, at 7:42 p.m. on June 20. At this precise moment, the sun reaches its northernmost point on the ecliptic.  This point and the time the sun meets it are called the summer solstice. Summer ends with the autumnal equinox on September 22.

In the major lunar standstill of 2024-2025, the June southernmost moon sets as a full moon on the 11th at 5:36 a.m. No events are planned by Griffith for this event. Later that day, the southernmost moon rises as a 99-percent waning gibbous moon at 9:02 p.m. Griffith Observatory is planning on a public event at the observatory and a web broadcast for this standstill. For details on the major lunar standstill, please visit the website at https://griffithobservatory.org/extreme-moon-the-major-lunar-standstills-of-2024-2025/

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https://www.griffithmedia.org/skyreport/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/May_2025_Sky_Report.mp3

This is the Griffith Observatory Sky Report for the period between May 1 and May 31, 2025. Here are the events happening in the sky of southern California.

Mercury rises in the east at 5:06 a.m., PDT, on the 1st, and the sun rises at 6:03 a.m., PDT, 57 minutes later. The planet spends the entire month of May close to the sun, and it is not safe to observe it. Do not observe any planet when it comes close to the sun, for the danger to the eyes is great.

Venus rises in the east at 4:09 a.m., PDT, on the 1st, one hour 54 minutes before the sun rises. The planet is 29-percent illuminated and 36-arcseconds wide. On the 31st, Venus rises in the east at 3:27 a.m., PDT, and the sun rises at 5:43 a.m., PDT, two hours 16 minutes later. Venus is 49-percent-illuminated and 24-arcseconds wide.

Mars moves from Cancer the Crab to Leo the Lion on the 25th. On the 1st, the sun sets at 7:38 p.m., PDT, and Mars sets in the west-northwest at 1:52 a.m., PDT. The planet is 90-percent illuminated and 6.6-arcseconds wide. On the 31st, the sun sets at 7:59 p.m., PDT, and Mars sets in the west-northwest at 12:39 a.m., PDT. The planet is 91-percent illuminated and 5.6-arcseconds wide. A telescope with a magnification of 200x is needed to see the disk. On Saturday evening, the 3rd, the large open star cluster Messier 44 (M44) is 33 arcminutes south of Mars, and the moon is two degrees 30 arcminutes east-northeast of Mars. All three are nearly overhead at 8:00 p.m., PDT. Binoculars are needed to see M44. Griffith Observatory and the Los Angeles Astronomical Society will host a star party. The public can view this conjunction through the supplied telescopes. On the evening of the 4th, M44 is 40 arcminutes south of Mars.

Jupiter is in Taurus the Bull. On the 1st, Jupiter sets in the west-northwest at 10:45 p.m., PDT, and is 33-arcseconds wide. On the 31st, the planet sets in the west-northwest at 9:16 p.m., PDT. A telescope capable of magnification 50x will show the Red Spot, and the four bright Galilean moons also can be seen moving back and forth, across and behind Jupiter.

Saturn is in Pisces the Fishes. On the 1st, Saturn rises in the east at 4:15 a.m., PDT. On the 31st, the planet rises at 2:24 a.m., PDT, and is 16-arcseconds wide. The rings and Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, may be seen with a telescope capable of magnification 50x.

Uranus sets in the west-northwest at 8:46 p.m., PDT, one hour eight minutes after the sun sets. The planet remains close to the sun for the rest of the month and it is not safe to observe it. Do not observe any planet when it comes close to the sun, for the danger to the eyes is great.

Neptune is in Pisces the Fishes. On the 1st, Neptune rises in the east at 4:20 a.m., PDT, and on the 31st, the planet rises in the east at 2:24 a.m., PDT, and is 2.2-arcseconds wide. On the 15th, Neptune is at Right Ascension 0h 7m 31s, declination -0° 35ʹ 10ʺ. A telescope with a magnification of 200x is needed to see its disk.

The first quarter moon occurs on the 4th, full moon on the 12th, last quarter on the 20th, and new moon on the 26th.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Lunar-X is visible for a few hours on the 4th, starting at 6:35 p.m., PDT. Lunar-X is a feature on the first quarter moon just within the dark half of the moon and midway between the center point and the southern edge. It is due to the rims of two craters illuminated by the sun. A telescope with a magnification of 50x or more is needed to see it.

In the major lunar standstill of 2024-2025, the May northernmost moon occurs twice. The first occurs when the waxing crescent moon rises on the 1st, at 9:12 a.m., PDT, and sets on the 2nd, at 12:37 a.m., PDT. The moon is two days from first quarter.

The second occurs when the waxing crescent moon rises on the 28th, at 6:52 a.m., PDT, and sets on the same date at 10:22 p.m., PDT. The moon is only two days past new moon, and observations will be difficult.

The May southernmost moon also occurs twice.

The first occurs when the waning gibbous moon sets on the 14th, 6:51 a.m., PDT, and rises on the same date at 10:12 p.m., PDT. The moon is two days past full phase.

The second occurs when the waning gibbous moon sets on the 15th, at 7:40 a.m., PDT, and rises on the same date at 11:06 p.m., PDT. The moon is three days past full phase. Griffith Observatory will broadcast the southernmost moonrise on May 14 but has no plans for public events or web broadcasts for the other May standstills.

For details on the major lunar standstill, please visit the website at https://griffithobservatory.org/extreme-moon-the-major-lunar-standstills-of-2024-2025/

The eta Aquariid meteor shower will occur from the night of April 20 through May 21. The meteors come from comet Halley. They are named for the star in Aquarius the Water Bearer, from which they appear to originate. The shower is best seen from the southern hemisphere. From the northern hemisphere, it usually produces medium rates of 10 to 30 meteors per hour just before dawn. The meteors are swift with a high percentage of persistent trains but few fireballs. The peak occurs from the evening of the 3rd through the morning of the 4th. The first quarter moon, 44-percent illuminated, will not interfere with observations after midnight.

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https://www.griffithmedia.org/skyreport/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/APR_2025_Sky_Report.mp3

This is the Griffith Observatory Sky Report for the period between April 1 and April 30, 2025. Here are the events happening in the sky of southern California.

Mercury, on the 1st, is close to the sun and not safe to observe. On the 10th, the planet rises in the east at 5:31 a.m., PDT, and the sun rises at 6:28 a.m., PDT, 57 minutes later. Mercury is 25-percent-illuminated and 9.8 arcseconds wide. On the 30th, Mercury rises in the east at 5:06 a.m., PDT, and the sun rises at 6:04 a.m., PDT, 58 minutes later. Mercury is 58-percent-illuminated and 6.9 arcseconds wide. Do not observe any planet when it appears close to the sun, for the danger to the eyes is great.

Venus rises in the east at 5:34 a.m., PDT, on the 1st, and the sun rises at 6:28 a.m., PDT, 54 minutes later. The planet is 10-percent-illuminated and 51 arcseconds wide. On the 30th, Venus rises in the east at 4:11 a.m., PDT, and is 28-percent-illuminated and 37 arcseconds wide. Do not observe any planet when it appears close to the sun, for the danger to the eyes is great.

Mars is in Gemini the Twins. On the 1st, Mars sets in the west-northwest at 3:11 a.m., PDT, and is 90-percent-illuminated and 8.2 arcseconds wide. On the 12th, Mars moves from Gemini to Cancer the Crab. On the 30th, Mars sets in the west-northwest at 1:55 a.m., PDT, and is 90-percent-illuminated and 6.6 arcseconds wide. A magnification of 150x is needed to see its small disk.

Jupiter is in Taurus the Bull. On the 1st, Jupiter sets in the west-northwest at 12:21 a.m., PDT, and is 36 arcseconds wide. On the 30th, the planet sets in the west-northwest at 10:48 p.m., PDT, and is 34 arcseconds wide. A telescope capable of magnification 50x will show the Red Spot, and the four bright Galilean moons can be seen moving back and forth, across and behind Jupiter.

Saturn is in Aquarius the Water Bearer. The planet is close to the sun until the 13th and is not safe to observe. On the 13th, Saturn rises in the east at 5:20 a.m., PDT, and the sun rises at 6:24 a.m., PDT, one hour four minutes later. On the 19th, Saturn moves from Aquarius to Pisces the Fishes. On the 30th, Saturn rises in the east at 4:19 a.m., PDT, one hour 45 minutes before the sun rises. Do not observe any planet when it appears close to the sun, for the danger to the eyes is great.

Uranus is in Taurus the Bull. On the 1st, Uranus sets in the west-northwest at 10:36 p.m., PDT. On the 30th, Uranus sets in the west-northwest at 8:50 p.m., PDT. On the 15th, Uranus is at Right Ascension 03h 32m 39s with a declination of +18° 54ʹ 35ʺ. The disk of Uranus is only 3.5 arcseconds wide, and so a telescope with a magnification of 150x is needed.

Neptune is in Pisces the Fishes. In the first two weeks of April, the planet rises less than an hour before the sun and is not safe to observe. On the 15th, Neptune rises in the east at 5:22 a.m., PDT, and the sun rises at 6:22 a.m., PDT, one hour later.  On the 30th, the planet rises in the east at 4:24 a.m., PDT, one hour 40 minutes before the sun rises. The position of Neptune on the 15th is Right Ascension 00h 04m 06s with a declination of –00° 56ʹ 22ʺ. The disk of Neptune is only 2.2 arcseconds wide, and so a telescope with a magnification of 150x is needed.

The first quarter moon occurs on the 4th, full moon on the 12th, last quarter on the 20th, and new moon on the 27th.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The Lyrid meteor shower is active from the evening of the 15th to the morning of the 30th. The Lyrids are named after the constellation of Lyra the Harp, from which they appear to originate. The Lyrid meteors comprise a medium-strength shower, with perhaps 20 meteors per hour at the peak, which will occur from the evening of the 21st to the morning of the 22nd. The Lyrids can produce occasional fireballs. The moon will be a 35-percent-illuminated waning crescent and will not interfere with observations until after 3:13 a.m., PDT.

In the major lunar standstill of 2024-2025, the April northernmost moon rises as a 36-percent waxing crescent on the morning of the 3rd at 10:25 a.m., PDT, and a 42-percent-illuminated moon sets on the evening of the 4th at 1:53 a.m., PDT. No events are planned at Griffith Observatory. The southernmost excursion occurs on the 18th, when the 76-percent waning gibbous moon rises at 12:18 a.m., PDT, and the moon sets at 9:43 a.m., PDT. No events are planned at Griffith Observatory. For details on the major lunar standstill, please visit the website at https://griffithobservatory.org/extreme-moon-the-major-lunar-standstills-of-2024-2025/

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