Planet Parade: See 3 Bright Worlds Tonight

space.com ^ | 06/24/05 | Joe Rao

[KevinDavis]

A spectacular gathering of three of the brightest planets will be the chief celestial attraction in the evening sky during this upcoming week. It will, in fact, be possible for anyone with a clear and unobstructed view of the west-northwest horizon to see three bright planets – Venus, Mercury and Saturn – in a single glance.

These three planets are destined to crowd into a small spot in the sky, making for a very distinctive and eye-catching formation that is sure to thrill most sky watchers. Think of it as "The Great Celestial Summit Meeting."

A wide variety of different conjunctions and configurations involving the planets typically occur during the course of any given year. It is rather unusual, however, when three or more bright planets appear to reside in the same small area of the sky.

From our Earthly vantagepoint, we can readily observe Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn with our unaided eyes as they revolve around the Sun. Each of these planets appears to move against the starry background at their own speeds and along their own tracks. It is obvious that since they are constantly moving at different speed, the positions of all five planets at any particular time is unique to that particular moment.

[KevinDavis]

Cool....

[KevinDavis]

[martin_fierro]

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[janetgreen]

Thanks for posting this. I'll get my telescope ready for this one!

[cabojoe]

While you're all out looking at the planets, don't forget to take a good look at the Moon illusion also. http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/watchtheskies/20jun_moonillusion.html

[Peach]

We have a telescope and will have to try and see this. Unfortunately, we have had a lot of cloud cover in the late afternoons and evenings.

[Jonx6]

bttt

[MinuteGal]

This IS cool. I'll be outside to see it tonight. It should be a brilliant spectacle here in Florida's unpolluted skies.

Just hope we don't get rain clouds moving in.

Leni

[My2Cents]

a very distinctive and eye-catching formation that is sure to thrill most sky watchers.

Most sky watchers are easily thrilled. :)

[MinuteGal]

Everyone interested in viewing this phenomena should read the rest of the article on the link. There's a number of caveats listed.

The planets may not be as visible as one may think.

Leni

[ApplegateRanch]

The planets may not be as visible as one may think.

Got that right.

With a thin cover that let Venus shine brightly, I could only see Mercury with binoculars last night. Satrun, I couldn't find at all, as the haze was a 'lottle' thicker to the "left" of Venus.

[MinuteGal]

I believe it also said some of the planets may be below or just above the horizon during certain hours. If they're just above the horizon, I'll be looking into my neighbor's bedroom, lol.

Leni

[ngc6656]

From my location the three planets were visible Wednesday and Thursday evenings for a short time in the evening twilight. It will be cloudy tonight. Rats!

Saturday evening will see the closest approach of the three as seen from the U.S.: all three planets will fit inside a circle with a diameter of 1.5 degrees (approximately 3 apparent Moon diameters.

[Alia]

bookmark

[BenLurkin]

bump

[k2blader]

Neat-o burrito.

[steveo]

I went outside *early* this morning to look at the moon and saw my first Iridium flare... quite by accident.