| Volume 7 Issue 05 | May 2001 | |
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| Planet Watch -- Keeping Track of the Visible Planets | ||
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Mercury begins its best viewing opportunity for the
northern hemisphere this year as it very rapidly becomes visible over the western
horizon at sunset. By mid-month Mercury will be setting nearly two hours after
sunset. Follow this swiftly moving planet as it zooms past Saturn on the 6th and
closes in on Jupiter by the 15th.
Venus reaches its greatest brilliancy on 4 May while it slowly moves westward away from the sun, rising ahead of the sun. By month's end Venus will be rising about 3 hours before the sun. While easily seen Venus is best favored for viewing from the southern hemisphere. Mars is becoming brighter as it works its way
across the stars of Sagittarius. This month Mars slows and halts eastern (prograde)
motion and starts moving westward (retrograde) back toward Scorpius. By the end
of the month Mars will be rising close to sunset and will be visible all night.
Jupiter is visible at sunset, but very low over the
western horizon. By the end of the month Jupiter will be in the direction of the
sun and will not be visible until at least July when it will be rising ahead of
the sun in the morning skies.
Saturn is somewhat visible but is much lower than Jupiter
at sunset. Saturn, like Jupiter will again be visible sometime during the latter
part of July as it rises ahead of the sun.
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