Planets in the West

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wet1

Wanderer
Registered Senior Member
planetsApr_french_labelsc1.jpg


Planets in the West
Credit & Copyright: John French (Abrams Planetarium, MSU)
Have you seen any bright planets lately? Chances are if you've been outside under clear skies just after sunset, then you have. Now shining in the west as bright "stars" in the night sky, are all five planets of the solar system known to ancient astronomers - Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter. Recorded from Holt, Michigan, USA about 40 minutes after sunset on April 14th, this digital image captures three of them, Venus, Mars, and Saturn, along with a young crescent Moon. Also indicated are the Pleiades star cluster and bright red giant star Aldebaran in Taurus. Mercury, setting, is lost in the trees and glow along the horizon, while Jupiter is off the top of this view. The coming weeks will see photo opportunities galore as all five planets gradually move closer together, posing after sunset with the Moon and stars in the western sky. Venus, Mars, and Saturn will form the closest trio, drawing within a 5 degree circle (about the apparent size of your fist with arm extended) above Aldebaran by May 3rd.
 
talking about planet conjunctions......don't forget the 10th of may.

then Venus and Mars will only be separated by 18'.
that's a almost 'hit' with naked eyes....will be pretty cool.

Venus is magnitude -3.4 and mars +1.9. It is closest on may, 10th on 22:00 GMT +01:00.
You can see them in WNW....not hard to find, Venus is the brightest spot in the sky.

but they are close whole night. ENJOY!
 
Ahhh yes.. I can name Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus, Alderberan, The pleaides....ect, ect. ect.

Venus is a Bit@# to see though in cleveland because it may be clear but there are always clouds hanging around in the far horizon. But its pretty cool. Im pretty proud of myself for being able to name all of these planets, stars, constellations, and cool objects that you can see with the naked eye. And i would have even more fun with a telescope if that DARN MEADE would ship the dam 10" schimidth- Newtonian. They are such laggers! Ive been waiting for 6 months!

Later
T:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :D
 
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