Observing the five planets

March 21, 2004 7:30 AM

Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, the five planets visible to the naked eye, can all be seen simultaneously after sunset over the next few weeks. Viewing details. The next opportunity will be in 2036.
posted by carter (8 comments total)

I'll be there, but I am concerned that the FCC might not like this naked eye thing.
posted by mss at 8:00 AM on March 21, 2004

Very cool. Thanks for the great link!
posted by tiamat at 9:29 AM on March 21, 2004

Just waiting on a clear sky, and looking for a low western horizon over which I might spot Mercury!
posted by Songdog at 2:35 PM on March 21, 2004

Yay, carter, thanks! Hoping the fog lifts here in time for a great viewing.
posted by Lynsey at 3:01 PM on March 21, 2004

Weee 5 planet will *insert doomday prediction here* and I blame *insert antagonist political party*
posted by elpapacito at 6:52 PM on March 21, 2004

I had just noticed that Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter were all across my sky in the evening. I had not caught on that Mercury was going to add to the show. But I didn't know Mercury was visible, either.

eelpapacito: Next month Venus, Mars and the Moon will all be in the same spot of the sky. These viewings here are spread across nicely.
posted by Goofyy at 1:18 AM on March 22, 2004

With a decent set of binoculars you can see the Galilean moons of Jupiter -- really a neat sight.
posted by norm at 7:53 AM on March 22, 2004

Excellent. I'm pretty recent convert to staring at the night sky looking for planets. Managed to see the big four, the elusive Mercury is next on the list.
posted by hippyboy at 10:28 AM on March 22, 2004