In most of the dayboxes, the time given is dusk or dawn. Dusk as used on this calendar means about 40 to 55 minutes after sunset from mid-U.S., depending on the time of year. An illustration without a landscape shows a section of sky farther above the horizon. As you follow the planets, you'll notice they occasionally pass one another, as well as the same zodiacal stars the Moon does. At the date and time indicated in the day box, face the appropriate direction, and compare the illustration to what you see in the sky.
Most events depicted in the dayboxes are visible to the unaided eye.
When the objects are faint or close to the horizon in the direction of the brightest twilight glow, the western sky at dusk, or eastern sky at dawn. When the time is in brighter twilight than usual, for example 30 minutes after sunset. In the east, objects will get higher as time passes. If it is morning, the sky will get brighter as sunrise approaches. Additional information on viewing the planets appears in the left margin of each month's calendar.