Discover the Night Sky: Unveiling Dim Constellations, Shimmering Stars, and Dazzling Planets

Hello, stargazers! This week is special. If the skies are clear, you could catch a glimpse of all five visible planets at once. Imagine looking up and seeing such a rare sight!

Each evening, check out the sunset. As twilight settles in, look west. Venus will shine about two fist-widths above the horizon. If the clouds aren’t blocking the view, glance below and to the left. You might spot two bright dots close to the horizon.

You likely recognize Saturn, which you’ve been watching with Venus all month. But the brighter dot nearby is Mercury. It’s speeding across the sky and will zoom past Saturn this week. It’s a fantastic chance to see both planets in one view!

Now, look straight up. You’ll find Jupiter, sitting a fist-width down near a bright red star named Aldebaran. If you turn around and face east, look three fist-widths down, and you’ll find Mars, which shines brighter than Aldebaran.

Beneath Mars, you’ll see two bright stars called Castor and Pollux. They are the brightest stars in the constellation Gemini, also known as the Twins. Hopefully, you can spot all five planets in the evening sky this week.

Now, let’s explore some dimmer constellations. Face south and look straight up, and you’ll easily find Orion, the Hunter. Below Orion, you can see Lepus, the Hare, which might even look like a little rabbit in the sky!

To the left of Lepus is Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, part of Canis Major, the Big Dog. Sirius’s triangular head is to the left, and its body extends down toward the horizon.

Next to Canis Major, you’ll find Columba, the Dove. This constellation was named in 1612 to honor the dove from Noah’s Ark. Measure a bit to the right of Columba, about two fist-widths, and then go down a fist-width. You’ll be in the area of Caelum, the Chisel—a very faint constellation with only one visible star.

To the right of Caelum is Horologium, the Clock, another dim constellation. The stars that make it up might be too faint for you to see clearly, but they form a line representing the clock’s pendulum.

Enjoy your week of stargazing! Whether it’s the bright planets or dim constellations, there’s always something amazing to discover in the night sky.

Pam Eastlick has been involved with astronomy for many years, including serving as the coordinator for the former University of Guam planetarium. She writes this weekly astronomy column and welcomes any questions or comments at life@guampdn.com.