Have you heard? Mercury is finally joining the other planets in the evening sky! For a while, sky watchers were excited to see all the naked-eye planets, but Mercury was missing from the lineup. Now, it’s back and ready to shine.
This is a special sight. Seeing all the planets at once is rare, largely due to the orbits of slower-moving giants like Jupiter and Saturn. They haven’t been this close together since their conjunction in December 2020.
Mark your calendar! In late February and early March, you can catch a glimpse of the planets at dusk. Here’s a simple guide:
- Mercury: After a solar conjunction on February 9, Mercury can be found low in the west after sunset this week. Use bright Venus as your guide to spot it.
- Saturn: On February 25, Mercury will pass close to Saturn. Then, on February 28, a crescent Moon will join the view.
- Observation Tip: Mercury is often elusive; it’s a small planet that can be tough to see. But on March 8, it will be at its greatest elongation, appearing 18 degrees east of the Sun.
On March 2, the crescent Moon will move close to Venus, making for yet another beautiful sight. Fun fact: people attending President Lincoln’s second inauguration in 1865 actually spotted Venus in the daytime sky!
As Mercury and Venus approach the Sun next month, they will be in a race toward inferior conjunction, passing the Sun just a day apart on March 23 and 24. After that, they will reappear in the morning sky.
Spotting the Outer Planets
Now, let’s move to Mars. You can find it high in the east at dusk. Right now, it shines as a bright red dot, especially after its opposition in January.
Next is Jupiter, which can be seen high in the southern sky during twilight. It will meet the waxing Moon on March 6.
Right now, Saturn is harder to spot, sitting low to the west. But if you find Mercury, use binoculars to locate Saturn, which is faint compared to Mercury.
Don’t Forget Uranus and Neptune
If you’re eager to see all the planets, check out Uranus and Neptune. Uranus shines at magnitude +5.8 and is visible in the same area as Jupiter. Neptune, at +7.8 magnitude, is more challenging to see since it’s low on the horizon, nestled near Mercury and Saturn.
Both Uranus and Neptune were discovered with telescopes, adding a fascinating twist to their history. Neptune, in particular, was found through mathematical predictions.
As March progresses, we’ll see some changes in the night sky. Saturn will fade from view while Mercury and Venus prepare to make their appearance at dawn. Plus, we have an exciting eclipse season coming up, with a partial solar eclipse on March 29 and a total lunar eclipse on the 14th.
So keep your eyes on the sky! Happy stargazing!
