WOW! It's a great time to look for planets. You can currently see all 5 naked eye planets in the sky - if it's clear. At sunset Jupiter, dazzling Venus and Mercury are all lined up in the west. Mercury is very low, so you need a clear western horizon. Also you won't see it for long after sunset, though Venus and Jupiter are quite stunning well after dark.
Venus and Jupiter move close together in the sky until they are at their closest on March 15. That will certainly be worth seeing!
Looking east, you should be able to pick out Mars. It was at opposition yesterday (Saturday March 3), which is when it's closest to us. You can find it in Leo and it really does have a reddish tinge. It rises around sunset and is visible all night long.
In the east we can also find Saturn, but not until 10.00 or so. It's in Virgo near the bright star Spica. If you're an early riser, you can also find them high in the sky before dawn.
Mars finder chart If you don't have a star chart or planisphere,
Heavens-above.com can provide a sky chart for your location at any time and date you choose.
(photo: Richard Fleet)
