Earliest time to light the Menorah

Hi,

We have talked about the latest time to light the Menorah, but not the earliest. One should light the Menorah about 15 minutes before the stars emerge, no earlier.

There are two exceptions to this rule:
1) One who will not be able to light later may light at sunset, and
2) As we have noted, on Friday we light before lighting Shabbat candles, about 20 minutes before sunset.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 672:1; Mishneh Berurah 672:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai