NEWS

Observing sessions to allow for viewing of five planets in evening sky

CHAPEL HILL -- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Morehead Planetarium and Jordan Lake State Park will host two free public observing sessions – Saturday (April 20) and April 27 – that will focus on viewing five planets in the evening sky.

Both sessions, free to the public, will be held (if the sky is clear) from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Ebenezer Church Recreation Area, a state park located two miles south of U.S. 64 just east of Jordan Lake. Experts will provide telescopic views and answer questions; those attending are welcome to bring their own binoculars and telescopes, though.

"Four naked-eye planets currently visible in the early evening sky are, from lowest to highest, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter," said the planetarium’s Dr. Lee Shapiro. "The four planets will soon be joined by a fifth planet, Mercury."

Starting about 15 minutes after sunset on a clear evening, Venus is visible low in the western sky and sets about an hour after sunset, he said. The planets may appear to draw close during the next month, but this is an illusion of perspective; the planets are seen in the same direction but not actually near each other.

"With Venus the second-brightest object in the night sky after the moon, Jupiter the third-brightest, Saturn about seventh-brightest and Mars a little below first magnitude, these four planets are easily seen with the unaided eye," said Shapiro. "Mercury is bright, but so close to the sun that you have to find it with the glow of sunset still present."

During April, skywatchers should be able to view Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn on any clear evening soon after sunset, he said. "Just find a good location with a clear view to the west and look for Venus very low in the sky about 15 minutes after the sun has set. Soon after, you will see Jupiter nearly overhead and then look for Saturn lower with Mars, Venus and Mercury all seeming to approach Saturn as the month progresses."

For more information on Morehead Planetarium, click on www.morehead.unc.edu; Star Theater show information is available at (919) 549-6863.

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Morehead Planetarium contact: Dr. Lee Shapiro at (919) 962-1237