VENUS, JUPITER AND MARS

11 Mar VENUS, JUPITER AND MARS

If you haven’t noticed magical Venus and magnificent Jupiter in the western evening sky over the last few weeks, you haven’t looked. It’s virtually impossible to miss them shimmering above the twilight horizon as they move ever closer to conjunction on March 13th. This is a fabulous opportunity to identify and observe our solar system’s two brightest planets and take note of how far and quickly they travel in relation to the backdrop of the tropical zodiac’s fixed-star constellations. And while you’re out there, turn your gaze 180 degrees and take a look above the eastern horizon. Red-planet Mars is making its debut as a spring and summer evening star. This one is also easy to identify: very bright and tinted a distinctive yellowish-orange. The ancient goddess of love and beauty pairs up with the king of gods on one side, campaigning for peace and harmony, while the fiery god of war pops up to campaign for battle. Sound familiar? Enjoy the show!