Venus and Jupiter, the two brightest planets in our night sky, are putting on a dazzling display in the evening. Venus, the brighter of the two planets, is lower on the horizon. Jupiter is higher in the sky.

Possible naked-eye comet, solar eclipse top list

April showers bring May flowers, but the spring months this year will also be treating us to a couple of celestial events.

There are always noteworthy things to look up for on any given night, but these are the top events worth marking in your calendar as we venture through the new year.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Skywatchers will want to set their alarms for this one as the largest planet in our solar system hangs out with the smallest. Similar to the Great Conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn in December, Jupiter and Mercury will form a conjunction of their own before sunrise Friday. Conjunction between Jupiter and MercuryMercury is typically difficult to see in the sky due to its proximity to the sun and its size. Jupiter and Mercury will rise above the eastern horizon around 5:30 a.m. Friday and gradually get higher in the sky. AdThe window to view the planets will be short as the sun rises a little more than an hour later.

Total Lunar Eclipse (May 26)May’s total lunar eclipse will be the first total lunar eclipse in the Americas in more than two years. In a total lunar eclipse, the moon turns a red, rusty color, often referred to as a blood moon. In Central Florida, it will be a partial lunar eclipse as the Moon will set prior to totality. Partial lunar eclipse (Nov 19)November’s lunar eclipse will be partial, meaning the Earth’s shadow will never fully engulf the Moon, but it’s going to be close. In the pre-dawn hours of the 19th, Central Florida will actually see more of the Moon covered than in May’s total eclipse (partial for Central Florida).