The evening delight continues for happy stargazers on 17th June. The three naked-eye planets visible are Jupiter, Venus and Mercury. They appear in the constellation of Gemini. Can you see the two brightest stars of Gemini, Pollux and Castor, below the three planets and the Moon? The Moon creates a stunning vision as a think crescent. It’s smiling at us and its nearby neighbours.
Use the above image as a guide. Astronomical images provided by SkySafari, a Simulation Curriculum Company, All rights reserved www.simulationcurriculum.com.
When and where to look:
6pm 17th June on the north western horizon.
Something interesting
The stars, Pollux and Castor, are the two brightest stars in the constellation of Gemini. They appear as though they could be at the same distance away from us. Pollux, the higher of the two stars is just over 33 light years from Earth, whereas Castor is over 50 light years away. Do you notice any difference in the colours of the two stars? One is orange and the other is white!