Much hype about this from the news media.  Almost “bad astronomy” as the general public will expect more of a five planet conjunction. But it’s true, but it’s not a very close alignment.

 

1)Mercury and 2)Jupiter about 5 degrees above the horizon after sunset.

3)Uranus and 4)Venus (where Venus is quite visible, but Uranus needs binoculars or a telescope).

5)Mars is almost overhead notably red.

 

So that’s 5 planets (loosely aligned), but the nearly 1^st quarter moon will interfere with a dark sky.

 

I predict tonight and tomorrow that only 3 will be visible unless you find a nice low horizon place for Jupiter and Mercury.  Then, you may need a telescope to find Mercury and Jupiter.  I could barely see Jupiter last week in the minutes following sunset.  I’m not impressed.  How about you?

 

Jeff Goldstein, BBAA VP

 

My money is on the UFOs

On Monday, March 27, 2023 at 05:57:16 PM EDT, Kayce Cover <synalia@...> wrote:

I'm just going to go outside and look tonight.  I'll report back if I can see them in dramatic relief.  I'll also report if I see any UFOs.

 

Best wishes,
Kayce

On Mon, Mar 27, 2023 at 5:22 PM Jeff Goldstein <jeffgold1@...> wrote:

Much hype about this from the news media.  Almost “bad astronomy” as the general public will expect more of a five planet conjunction. But it’s true, but it’s not a very close alignment.

 

1)Mercury and 2)Jupiter about 5 degrees above the horizon after sunset.

3)Uranus and 4)Venus (where Venus is quite visible, but Uranus needs binoculars or a telescope).

5)Mars is almost overhead notably red.

 

So that’s 5 planets (loosely aligned), but the nearly 1^st quarter moon will interfere with a dark sky.

 

I predict tonight and tomorrow that only 3 will be visible unless you find a nice low horizon place for Jupiter and Mercury.  Then, you may need a telescope to find Mercury and Jupiter.  I could barely see Jupiter last week in the minutes following sunset.  I’m not impressed.  How about you?

 

Jeff Goldstein, BBAA VP