[W5SFA] Five Planets in a Row from SpaceWeather.com

[Gilbert Franke]

*THE GREAT NAKED-EYE PLANET SHOW: *The mainstream media is buzzing with
news about astronomy: From now until Feb. 20th, anyone who wakes up before
sunrise can see Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter all at once, no
telescope required. These are the five brightest planets, and they are a
beautiful sight lined up from east to west in the predawn sky.

<http://spaceweather.com/images2016/27jan16/skymap_27jan16.png?PHPSESSID=hkp7pe09klvl173aor6p9mf3b7>

Although the planets can be seen any morning for the next 4 weeks, there
are some dates of special interest. As January ends and February unfolds,
the Moon will hop from planet to planet, acting as a can't-miss guide for
novice sky watchers. The action begins on *Feb. 1st* when the half Moon is
only a few degrees from the red planet Mars in the constellation Libra: sky
map
<http://spaceweather.com/images2016/01feb16/skymap_01feb16.png?PHPSESSID=hkp7pe09klvl173aor6p9mf3b7>.
Two mornings later, on *Feb. 3rd*, a fat crescent Moon passes by Saturn,
only a few degrees away: sky map
<http://spaceweather.com/images2016/03feb16/skymap_03feb16.png?PHPSESSID=hkp7pe09klvl173aor6p9mf3b7>.
And finally, best of all, on *Feb. 6th*, the slender cresent Moon forms a
lovely triangle with Venus and Mercury just ahead of the morning twilight: sky
map
<http://spaceweather.com/images2016/06feb16/skymap_06feb16.png?PHPSESSID=hkp7pe09klvl173aor6p9mf3b7>
.
Circle these dates on your calendar--and set your alarm for dawn. The Great
Naked-eye Planet Show is a great way to start the day.

----
Gilbert A Franke <http://www.gilbertfranke.com>
(361 442 6008 - cell)
130 N Harris Street
Bellville TX  77418
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