Three bright planets have graced the evening sky for the past month and will continue to do so throughout June and July. Jupiter, largest planet in the solar system, shines brightest in the southwestern sky just after sunset. Mars, slightly fainter but much redder than Jupiter, is rising in the southeast as the sun sets. Finally, 20 degrees (approximately two fists extended at arm’s length) further southeast Saturn appears white in comparison to Mars and the nearby bright star Antares – both red. Together, these three bright planets make excellent targets for small telescopes, binoculars or just stargazing with the unaided eye. Images of each planet taken with the College’s 14-inch telescope and planetary camera are shown above.
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Topics: John Smetanka, astronomy, Planetarium, planets, Cassini, Curiosity, Juno, telescope