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Tag: Spica

The Time Is Now for Seeing 5 Planets At Once

How to see five planets at once

Skywatching: January 29-February 1 All the naked-eye planets are visible in the morning sky before sunrise. You have probably heard the news reports about being able to see five planets at once. This doesn’t happen very often, but it also is not some kind of weird cosmic alignment. It just means that if you were to… Read More The Time Is Now for Seeing 5 Planets At Once

January 28, 2016 Rex BabieraLeave a comment

Skywatching: August 6-7

Spica, Mars, Saturn, and More Look to the southwest after sunset over the next few nights and you will find a parade of planets and stars. Spica, Mars, and Saturn form a diagonal line in the southwest after sunset this week. (Screen capture of Star Walk for iOS) Farthest west and lowest is the blue-white… Read More Skywatching: August 6-7

August 6, 2014 Rex BabieraLeave a comment

Skywatching This Weekend: July 11-14

Mars Speeds Past Spica This weekend, try and observe Mars as it passes near the bright star Spica. Notice too the color difference: Mars is a bright orange-red planet and Spica is a blue, twinkling star. If you have been watching Mars this summer, you have seen it get closer and closer to Spica. This Saturday,… Read More Skywatching This Weekend: July 11-14

July 11, 2014July 11, 2014 Rex Babiera1 Comment

Meeting of Three on the Three-day Weekend

Moon, Mars, and Spica on July 5

Moon, Mars, and Spica On this Fourth of July weekend, many will be looking to the skies for fireworks displays. On Saturday, July 5, you can also see a close grouping of three easily seen celestial objects: the first quarter Moon, the planet Mars, and the star Spica. By about 9:30 pm CDT or so,… Read More Meeting of Three on the Three-day Weekend

July 3, 2014July 3, 2014 Rex Babiera2 Comments

Brightest Stars Visible From Chicago: #3

Arcturus The third brightest star in our countdown is ARCTURUS, the brightest star in the constellation Boötes, the herdsman. Arcturus is easy to find and is the brightest star visible in the summer months. You may know the phrase, “Follow the arc to Arcturus.” The arc of the phrase is the curving handle of the… Read More Brightest Stars Visible From Chicago: #3

July 1, 2014 Rex Babiera2 Comments

Skywatching: May 29-30

Planet Quartet Over the next few days, four out of the five naked-eye planets are visible in the evening sky. Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn are easy to find; Mercury is a bit of a challenge. Venus, the fifth naked-eye planet, is visible in the morning sky. Shortly after sunset, look to the west to find brilliant Jupiter.… Read More Skywatching: May 29-30

May 28, 2014June 4, 2014 Rex BabieraLeave a comment

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The Urban Skywatcher tries to answer the question, "What can I really see in the night sky from Chicago (or any urban metropolis)?" Take the journey with me. All you have to do is look up.

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