August 20, 2021: Five bright planets are visible after sunset this evening. During the next few evenings, a month before the Harvest Moon, get a preview of the harvest moon effect.
opposition
2021, August 19: Moon, Five Evening Planets
August 19, 2021: The moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter span the sky this evening shortly after sunset.
2021, August 19: Jupiter at Opposition
August 19, 2021: Jupiter is at opposition this evening. It shines brightly in the sky nearly all night long.
2021, August 2: Saturn at Opposition
August 2, 2021: Saturn is at opposition with the sun. Earth is between the sun and the planet.
2021, July 29: Jupiter – Mars Opposition
July 29, 2021: Jupiter and Mars are 180° apart along the ecliptic. Dim Mars sets in the west-northwest as Jupiter rises in the east-southeast. This event signals that soon both appear in the sky simultaneously.
2021, July 20: A Five-Planet Feast
July 20, 2021: The five planets are visible during the nighttime hours. Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury are in the morning sky. Venus and Mars hang above the western horizon after sunset, followed by Jupiter and Saturn return to the evening sky.
2021, July 18: Planetary Platter
July 18, 2021: All five bright planets – Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn – are visible during the nighttime hours. Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury in the sky before sunrise. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are in the sky after sundown.
2021, July 21: Venus – Jupiter Opposition
July 21, 2021: This evening Venus and Jupiter are in opposite directions from Earth, 180° apart along the plane of the solar system. Jupiter rises as Venus sets, signaling that they appear in the sky at the same time.
2021, July 10-18: Watch Jupiter, Saturn Retrograde
July 10-18 2021: Before sunrise Jupiter and Saturn are in the south-southwest before sunrise. Through a binocular watch them move westward compared to the starry background.
2021, July 1, Saturn – Mars Opposition
July 1, 2021: Saturn and Mars are in opposite directions in the sky. Mars sets as Saturn rises. In about a week, the two planets are visible in the sky at the same time. This event signals that the planet parade is starting to reorganize. During July, three other planet – planet oppositions occur, leading up to a challenging view of the five bright planets during mid-August.