| Volume 7 Issue 02 | February 2001 | |
|
||
| Planet Watch -- Keeping Track of the Visible Planets | ||
|
||
|
Mercury moves between the Earth and the sun, inferior conjunction, and then moves into the pre-dawn skies by the end of the month.
Venus reaches its greatest brilliancy this month and for northern hemisphere observers is easily seen over the southwestern horizon at sunset.
Mars rises at about midnight and is visible over the southeastern horizon at sunrise. Mars moves from Libra into Scorpio this month. Compare the reddish color of Mars to the reddish-colored star Antares. Antares loosely translated means 'rival of Mars', a reference to the similarity in color.
Jupiter is visible at sunset over the southern horizon and sets after midnight.
Saturn like its near-twin Jupiter is visible nearly all night and sets about an hour before Jupiter.
--------- |
| |
These Articles, activities, and the monthly newsletter may be reproduced for classroom use; inclusion in another newsletter,
or linked with another web site, without written permission. Any other use will require written permission.