Tag: Venus

2016, August 6: Five Planets

This evening five planets appear in the west and southern sky, along with the moon as seen from the Chicago area. With a very good western horizon, Venus appeared low in the bright colors of twilight.  First found with binoculars, Venus was easy to see without optical aid.  As the sky darkened Mercury was visible … Continue reading 2016, August 6: Five Planets

2016, August 4: 5 Planets in Evening Sky

During August 2016 the five naked eye planets can be seen in the south and western sky, although binoculars and a clear western horizon are needed to make the initial observations of Venus and Mercury..  Venus is slowly emerging from the sun's glare.  The chart above shows the planets on the evening of August 4, … Continue reading 2016, August 4: 5 Planets in Evening Sky

2016, August 27: A Venus-Jupiter Epoch Conjunction

Just 424 days after the last Epoch Conjunction, Venus and Jupiter pass again in the western, evening sky on August 27, 2016, shortly after sunset. The image above shows the two planets during were about one-third of a degree in separation during the 2015 conjunction. The 2016 conjunction is three times closer.

2016: Venus and Moon, March 7

As brilliant Venus slowly fades into the sun's brilliance, the moon passes close by on the morning of March 7. Venus now rises less than an hour before sunrise, appearing low in the southeast as the morning sky brightens. The moon stands 3 degrees to the upper left of Venus.  Find a viewing spot with a clear … Continue reading 2016: Venus and Moon, March 7

2016-2017: Venus, Evening Star

This appearance of Venus has ended. During its evening appearance in 2015, Venus appeared near bright stars and planets. After a spectacular appearance in the morning sky, brilliant Venus moves into the evening sky during the summer of 2016.  Every 585 days it appears in the evening sky. On June 6, 2016, Venus passes on … Continue reading 2016-2017: Venus, Evening Star

2016-2017 Venus Evening Star, The Diagram

This chart provides the detail for the posting 2016-2017, Venus Evening Star. The chart was plotted using data from the U.S. Naval Observatory's MICA computer program.  All points on the chart are calculated for Chicago, Illinois .  The sunset line is the line across the bottom of the chart.  The chart shows the setting times … Continue reading 2016-2017 Venus Evening Star, The Diagram

2016, Saturn & Moon, Five Planets

In the show of the five naked eye planets, the moon appears near Saturn on February 3.  Look southward for the moon at about an hour before sunrise.  The planet Saturn is about 4 degrees to the lower left of the moon with the star Antares nearby.  Mars is farther to the south and bright … Continue reading 2016, Saturn & Moon, Five Planets

2016: Five Planets, Mercury & Venus, January 28

Clear skies prevailed this morning in the Chicago area.  The four bright planets spread across the sky from east to west, with Jupiter near the moon.  Mercury, however, was more elusive.  Rising behind the trees and into bright twilight, it took binoculars to see it.  In the image above, Mercury is at the tree top. … Continue reading 2016: Five Planets, Mercury & Venus, January 28

2016: Mars & Moon, Five Planets, February 1

To see the five naked eye planets on the morning of February 1, look south for the moon.  Reddish Mars is 2 degrees to the lower right of the moon.  (One degree is the apparent size of 2 full moons.)  Brilliant Venus gleams from the southeast.  Mercury is nearly 7 degrees to the lower left … Continue reading 2016: Mars & Moon, Five Planets, February 1