Today's Image

Planets, east before dawn

Posted by
Deborah Byrd
and
October 2, 2015
Planets before dawn now, as captured by Niko Powe in Illinois. Thank you, Niko!
Planets before dawn now, as captured by Niko Powe in Illinois. Thank you, Niko!

The planet action is in the morning sky now, where brilliant Venus and Jupiter and fainter Mars all cluster in the east before sunup. Niko Powe in Illinois captured this image of them on the morning of September 30, 2015. The photo also shows the star Regulus, brightest light in the constellation Leo the Lion. Thank you, Niko!

Click here to read more about October’s planets

October is going to be a fantastic month for planet-watching before dawn. Here’s a preview of what’s to come … May you be blessed with clear skies!

The waning crescent moon swings by the morning planets Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Mercury - in the second week of October. The green line depicts the ecliptic - the pathway of the moon and planets. Read more.
The waning crescent moon will swing by the morning planets Venus, Mars and Jupiter – around October 8, 9 and 10. Read more.
Circle October 10 and 11 on your calendar. That's when you have the opportunity to view the waning crescent moon and Mercury coupling up in the eastern sky at morning dawn. May you be blessed with clear skies! Read more
Circle October 10 and 11 on your calendar. That’s when you have the opportunity to view the waning crescent moon and Mercury coupling up in the east before dawn. Read more.
Jupiter will be in conjunction with Mars on October 17, 2015. If you have trouble seeing Mars in the morning sky, aim them at Jupiter to spot Mars nearby. Mars and Jupiter will share the same binocular field from about October 12 to nearly the end of the month.. Read more.
Jupiter will be in conjunction with Mars on October 17. Read more.
Get up early tomorrow (October 24) to see the planets Venus, Jupiter and Mars forming a planetary trio in the eastern predawn/dawn sky from now until around October 29. A grouping of three planets inside a circle having a 50 diameter is known as a planetary trio.
A grouping of three planets inside a circle having a 5-degree diameter on the sky’s dome is known as a planetary trio. Venus, Jupiter and Mars will form a planetary trio in the east before dawn from about October 24 to around October 29. Another grouping of three planets won’t happen again until January 10, 2021. Read more.

Bottom line: The brightest planets – Venus and Jupiter – are up before dawn now. Mars is there, too. Mercury will soon join them. During October … wow! They’re going to put on a show.

Posted 
October 2, 2015
 in 
Today's Image

Deborah Byrd

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About the Author:
Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.

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