Jupiter and moon before dawn on August 31 on EarthSky | Today's Image

View larger. | Jupiter and moon August 31, 2013 as captured by EarthSky Facebook friend Ilija Desic. Thank you, Ilija!

The planet Jupiter is shining brightly in the eastern predawn sky now, and the moon appeared near it on the morning of August 31, 2013. The photo above is from Ilija Desic. Thank you! And we received many more photos from friends around the world at EarthSky Facebook. Check ’em out!

The moon will be moving downward in the predawn sky in the coming mornings. It’ll pass the planet Mars on September 1 and 2, but Mars is much harder to see than Jupiter, and you might still only glimpse Jupiter and the moon.

Sky charts for Sunday, September 1.

Sky charts for Monday, September 2.

EarthSky planet guide here!

Deborah Byrd

Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.