step outside

If you're not chained to your computer (heck, even if you are,) take a few minutes to step outside and look up at the sky. Tonight you should be able to see six or 7 (counting Earth) of our solar system's sexiest bodies.

Look west and you should see a very bright "star". That's the planet Venus. If you've got clear skies and it's dark enough, look down from Venus to just above the horizon, slightly north of west, and you may be able to make out faint Mercury. Looking back up and past Venus, about 1/4th of the distance between Venus and the Moon, you should be able to pick out tiny red Mars. Continuing up in the sky to just just below the Moon lies Saturn. If you continue to follow the ecliptic (that arc you can trace from Mercury to Venus to Saturn) past the Moon towards the south east, that other very bright "star" is Jupiter.

Even in light-polluted skies, you should be able to make out Venus, Mars, the Moon, Saturn, and Jupiter so don't miss this opportunity. Add in Earth, and you're looking at six of our solar system's most glorius gems.

If you've got a pair of binoculars, the moon is a nice target this evening and if you've got even a small telescope, Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter are all worth a look. Saturn's tilt is particularly nice right now with a good view of the gas giant's rings. You'll probably be disappointed in Mars so spend your time on the waning Venus (which looks about as full as the Moon,) Saturn, and Jupiter. If you've got dark skies, you might also want to take a look at the Pleiades, sitting between Mars and Venus.

Do go out and take a look, especially if you don't have a telescope and don't normally pay much attention to our wonderful skies.

Posted by asa at March 28, 2004 07:24 PM