We’re in it: this most exciting night of seeing five planets. What a great time to step outside and bask in the dark beauty. March has been a great month for viewing planets, starting with Venus and Jupiter—and each week or so, adding a newly visible planet. After Venus and Jupiter’s lineup, Uranus and Mars added themselves to the mix, lined up nicely in a row of four.
Next, we experienced the change of the seasons, an official turn from winter to spring.
And now tonight is the great moment when it all happens: FIVE planets. Our fifth friend is Mercury, visible to the naked eye, which will look like a very bright star near the western horizon, about 20 minutes after sunset. (After that, use binoculars). Mercury will be hanging out next to Jupiter, to its right. The two are a nice couple: the smallest and largest planets. In the coming days, we’ll lose the ability to see Jupiter, but Mercury will become easier to see.
Now, here’s where to look for everybody else: Mars will be to the upper left of the waxing moon (you can also look in the morning sky for its reddish tint). Venus shines as a bright “evening star” near the Pleiades constellation, also called the Seven Sisters. She’s easy to see. Uranus will be difficult to find, but give it a shot. First locate Venus, then look to her upper left.
Check out this website to capture the times and dates to see these planets in your specific area. As Space.com tells us, we can also catch some of the stars of the Gemini constellation, the cluster known as M35. The collection of stars should be as large as the moon tonight.
Now, the only thing to make it better would be watching through a desert dome or at one of these hotels known for amazing night sky sightlines. This year has been a... wait for it....stellar one for stargazing.