William Atkins
Saturday, 30 August 2008 19:56
Science -
Space
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In September 2008, the three planets of Mercury, Venus, and Mars will be visible low in the southwestern sky just after sunset. Each will be viewable, especially with the use of binoculars.
Early in September, Venus, now entering its “evening star” phase, will be about ten degrees above the horizon just minutes after sunset. The crescent Moon will be visible, too, below and to the left of our sister planet.
The planet Venus appears nearly full, with almost all of its surface being hit by sunlight. As the months advance in the fall (withinin the Northern Hemisphere) Venus will appear less full but brighter as the distance between Earth and Venus diminishes.
Venus will remain in the evening sky until it dips below the horizon about an hour after the Sun sets in the west.
Mars and Mercury will be positioned very close to each other on September 7, 2008, when compared to the distance Venus is to these other two planets. All three are positioned within the constellation Virgo.
On and around September 11, 2008, Mars will be positioned below Venus; while, at the same time, Mercury will be even lower in the sky, at a position of about 26.8 degrees east of the Sun. Mars and Venus will be much closer together when compared to Mercury.
Mars and Venus will be only 0.3 degrees apart, while Mercury will be less than five degrees from the pair. The three will be seen by the naked eye, but the use of binoculars is recommended.
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