• Tim Johnson

Mercury, Venus and Mars

Low in the southwestern sky tonight and for the week ahead, the planets Mercury and Venus appear close together. Every night ahead, they get closer. This is a good time to look, for late in the coming week you may miss the two as two; they are that close.

A pair of binoculars will separate them nicely as a pair at the end of next week. Look now and you get to watch the two as they get together. But it is tough finding them, as they are both so close to the southwestern horizon, after sunset.

Look a half hour after sunset. The sky will still be bright. Venus is sensational and fairly easy to spot. Mercury is fainter and only hard to see because the light of twilight is still bright. Binoculars will help you spot Mercury.

An hour or so later and the two will set.

The red planet Mars is only slightly higher in the western sky. Mars is a dull red color and distinguishes itself from the surrounding bright stars of the constellation Gemini.

 

Sunrise and Sunset
Day Sunrise Sunset
Fri., May 21 5:16 7:59
Sat., May 22 5:16 8:00
Sun., May 23 5:15 8:01
Mon., May 24 5:14 8:02
Tues., May 25 5:13 8:03
Wed., May 26 5:13 8:04
Thurs., May 27 5:12 8:05
Fri., May 28 5:11 8:06
Temperatures and Precipitations
Day Max (Fº) Min (Fº) Inches
May 14 67 46 0.00
May 15 75 51 0.00
May 16 76 51 0.00
May 17 77 48 0.00
May 18 73 51 0.00
May 19 75 60 0.00
May 20 73 47 0.00

 

Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 61º F

Comments

Comment policy »

YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS

Subscribe or become a Friend of the Vineyard Gazette and receive our free newsletters and free and discounted tickets to Gazette events along with our award-winning news and photography.