From mid May and into the month of June, stargazers are in for stunning evening night sky views! It’s the best stargazing all year! The planets of Venus, Jupiter and Mercury will put on a show that will change every night. You’ll be able to watch from evening to evening and see the motion of our Solar System in action.
The 19th May is a delight with bright Venus appearing alongside a wonderful crescent Moon. Jupiter is higher above. But Mercury is nowhere to be seen…..yet!
As the evenings progress, Venus will appear to get closer to Jupiter, making its closest approach on 10th June. Mercury will appear lower on the horizon in late May, climbing higher in the night sky to join Jupiter in mid to late June. Venus will appear to overtake Jupiter and climb higher into the night sky.
Enjoy this wonderful spectacle of some of the best naked-eye planets dancing across the evening sky.
When and where to look:
Start watching after sunset from 6.00pm, 19th May.
Something Interesting
The planets appear to move faster across the sky than stars as they are much closer to us, this means that planets change their position in the sky regularly. The Moon is much closer to us than the planets, and as such, appears to move through our sky even faster.
Get More Stargazing Tips
There’s always something interesting happening in the night sky and country WA is the best place to catch all the action.