Planets Align To Provide Spectacular Celestial Shows This Month

Need a good reason to set that alarm clock a little early? How about the unusual opportunity to view four of the nine planets of our Solar System at the same time? Even better is the fact, that in order to do so, you don't have to rush to some far-off observatory - Simply grab a cup of cocoa, seek out an east-facing window and enjoy the show!

According to NASA scientists for the last two months most of the planets have been hiding behind the sun. This month however, they all start to emerge one-by-one and four of our neighbors - Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter will be close enough to be seen with the naked eye.

The best morning to watch will be tomorrow, May 11th, 2011, when Venus and Jupiter will be just 1/2° apart - and will be so intense that you might need your sunglasses, even before the sun appears! In fact, Venus will be so bright that it will be visible all day, provided you know where to look. Clustered around within a 10° radius will be Mars and Mercury.

But in case you miss it don't fret, the quartet will be present all month, rearranging themselves, so that you have a different 'show' each day. On May 13th, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter form an almost equilateral triangle, while on May 20th, it will be Mars, Venus and Mercury that will be most visible. Of the trio, Mars may be a little difficult to spot right away, but a pair of binoculars should do the trick.

Like all good things, this show too will end, but not without a spectacular Grand Finale. On May 30th, a crescent shaped moon will join the quartet for a spectacular farewell show before they all disperse away from each other, until the next time. So be sure to try catch one or more of these amazing displays.

Resources: Science.NASA.gov