Dance of the Planets
credits to Astro Bob
Feb. 7 and 8 – Mercury passes very close to Mars (0.3 degrees) low in the
western sky at dusk
Feb. 16 – Mercury at greatest elongation east of the sun and easy
to find during evening twilight.
May 22-30- Venus, Mercury and Jupiter cluster together low in the
western sky after sunset. Close conjunctions of Venus and Mercury (24th),
Mercury and Jupiter (26th) and Venus and Jupiter (27th-28th). Low but a
potentially great show. The southern states will have the better views.
 |
| stellarium |
June 1 – Striking lineup of Jupiter, Venus and Mercury low in the
western sky after sunset. Find an unobstructed horizon to see best.
* First week of June – Mercury well-placed for
viewing low in the western evening sky.
July 3-4 – Venus returns to the
evening sky visible low in the west during twilight. On these dates, binocular
users will see the planet pass in front of the Beehive star cluster in Cancer.
July 21-23 – Conjunction of Mars and
Jupiter. Both planets now return to the morning sky and pair up within one
degree of each other on these dates. They’re visible in Gemini low in the
eastern sky before sunrise.
 |
| stellarium |
August 3-5 – Very nice lineup of
Mercury, Mars and Jupiter joined by the thin crescent moon these mornings. Look
to the east about an hour before sunrise.
 |
| Stellarium |
September 5-6 – Venus near Spica low in
the southwestern sky at dusk
 |
| Stellarium |
September 8 – Fine conjunction of the
crescent moon and Venus this evening
November 1 – Venus at greatest
elongation east of the sun. It finally gains some altitude and becomes much
easier to see this month during evening twilight.
November 25-26 – Mercury and returning
Saturn meet up together for a close conjunction. The two will be just one
degree apart on these dates.
 |
| Stellarium |
December 6 – Venus dazzles as it
climbs higher and reaches greatest brilliancy for the year.
for more information:
