Reply #43: I saw the crescent moon as I went out running tonight

[MikeH]

In fact it was right about 7:45, the time of your post.

During this time of year (late winter and early spring) the ecliptic is almost vertical at sunset and during the early evening, which makes it favorable for viewing the new moon and planets when they set after the sun.

The planet Venus, which had been very prominent in the evening sky earlier this year, has now just passed through inferior conjunction (March 27), and will soon be visible and prominent in the morning sky. However this time of year the ecliptic is at an angle to the earth in the morning, so Venus will not be high up. However Venus being as bright as it is one would not have a problem seeing it.

The planet Mercury will reach its greatest eastern elongation on April 26, and will be visible in the evening twilight during the time shortly before and after that date. Seeing Mercury is rather tricky, and it helps to know when the optimum times are for seeing it.