Wednesday, February 6, 2013

February 2013 guide to the five visible planets

From EARTH AND SKY NEWS:   Only two of the five visible planets – Jupiter and Saturn – will be easy to spot in the February 2013 night sky. With some diligence you might also catch Mercury and Mars after sunset.


Only two of the five visible planets – Jupiter and Saturn – will be easy to spot in the February 2013 night sky. But for the Northern Hemisphere, February 2013 provides the best chance of catching Mercury, the innermost planet, at dusk and/or nightfall until late May and early June 2013. On or near February 8 use binoculars and the brighter planet Mercury to spot fainter Mars in the glow of evening twilight. Venus will be especially difficult to see in February because this world sits close to the glare of sunrise all month long.