• Tim Johnson

Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury

Three planets hover over the western sky tonight after sunset. We’ve all been watching the brightest of them all, Jupiter high in the western sky. Saturn is underneath and to the right. The harder to spot planet Mercury is right there to the right and lower than Saturn.

All three planets, Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury form a perfect line. If you can spot at least two of them you’ll be able to see the third in fairly close proximity.

In the nights ahead, Mercury will appear to get closer and closer to Saturn. By Wednesday night, the two might be able to have a conversation. The only problem there is that they both will be closer to the horizon.

This is an opportune time to watch these planets as they appear to move through the skies from night to night.

Sunrise and Sunset
Day Sunrise Sunset
Fri., Jan. 7 7:08 4:27
Sat., Jan. 8 7:08 4:28
Sun., Jan. 9 7:08 4:29
Mon., Jan. 10 7:08 4:30
Tues., Jan. 11 7:07 4:31
Wed., Jan. 12 7:07 4:32
Thurs., Jan. 13 7:07 4:33
Fri., Jan. 14 7:06 4:34
Temperatures and Precipitations
Day Max (Fº) Min (Fº) Inches
Dec. 30 46 40 0.01
Dec. 31 48 43 0.06
Jan. 1 49 44 0.02
Jan. 2 53 47 0.57
Jan. 3 51 30 T
Jan. 4 36 20 *0.03
Jan. 5 49 21 0.00
Jan. 6 52 38 0.53

 

Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 43º F

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