Three planets will provide a celestial display starting this weekend when they begin moving into alignment: Venus, Jupiter and Mercury, are shining in the western twilight sky, clustered closely. By June 5 they will be in a line.
The planets can be seen just above the horizon shortly after sunset.
The planets can be seen just above the horizon shortly after sunset.
Triple conjunctions are rare. The last one was in May 2011 and the next one will not occur until October 2015.
Venus and Jupiter shine so brightly that you might mistake them for one or two approaching airplanes with their landing lights turned on. On Sunday, Mercury forms the top of the triangle. Venus and Mercury will continue to climb higher into the evening sky, while Jupiter drops toward the sun.
Venus and Jupiter shine so brightly that you might mistake them for one or two approaching airplanes with their landing lights turned on. On Sunday, Mercury forms the top of the triangle. Venus and Mercury will continue to climb higher into the evening sky, while Jupiter drops toward the sun.
Rivera, MIchael, ed. "Planetary alignment to draw eyes skyward this weekend."
The Monitor. N.p., 24 May 2013. Web. 26 May 2013.
The Monitor. N.p., 24 May 2013. Web. 26 May 2013.