The ringed planet Saturn is closest to the Earth this weekend. The distant planet is in opposition and about 778 million miles away. Its position in the sky is the best part. Saturn rises in the east with the setting of the sun and remains viewable through the night. Saturn is high, almost overhead, at midnight and sets in the west at sunrise.

Temperature: Precip.

Day Max. Min. Inches.

Fº Fº

Feb. 8 39 32 .00

Feb. 9 44 27 Trace

Feb. 10 48 36 .05

Feb. 11 50 13 Trace

Feb. 12 26 16 Trace

Feb. 13 49 22 .13

Feb. 14 52 32 1.07

Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 43º F.

While Wednesday night’s lunar eclipse will dominate the news in the coming week, observers also will have the rare opportunity throughout the week to view five planets in the evening and early morning sky.

Temperature: Precip.

Day Max. Min. Inches.

Fº Fº

Feb. 1 38 26 .00

Feb. 2 52 36 .97

Feb. 3 48 26 .00

Feb. 4 46 29 .00

Feb. 5 45 36 .00

Feb. 6 48 41 .17

Feb. 7 56 36 .12

Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 42º F.

A thin crescent moon appears low in our southwestern sky tonight. The moon is one day old from New Moon phase and will appear thin and difficult to spot since it is so close to the horizon. More Vineyarders will see the moon on Saturday evening when it is both higher in the western sky and also lasts a little bit longer before setting.

Temperature: Precip.

Day Max. Min. Inches.

Fº Fº

Jan. 25 35 18 .00

Jan. 26 32 19 .00

Jan. 27 36 23 .00

Jan. 28 36 25 .48*

Jan. 29 38 26 .00

Jan. 30 47 37 Trace

Jan. 31 48 26 .04

* indicates melted precipitation.

Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 40º F.