View larger. | The evening sky’s 4 planets on September 1, 2018, by Patrick Prokop. Celestron 11″ telescope. Processed in Photoshop.
Patrick Prokop used his telescope to capture the four planets that are dominating the evening sky now. He wrote:
This is a ‘mock-up’ of the planets’ views and positions. They don’t look like this in the sky, but, basically, these are those bright jewels in the evening sky in early September. I took all these through my telescope on the evening of September 1, 2018, from my backyard and then made this composite.
How do they look to the eye? Like starry dots … but very bright ones! Watch for them.
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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