August 12 2010 conjunction of Venus, Mars, Saturn, with Moon and Mercury
I don't usually blog about things going on in the sky, unless those goings on are things we witness through telescopes or robotic space probes—things that can't be seen with the unaided eye. I thought I'd make an exception in this case.
Mark your calendars for August 12th—and cross your fingers that the weather is clear that evening. Then, plan to be in a spot where you can have an unobstructed view of the western horizon. Check your calendar frequently to remind yourself, and when the date draws near, set your alarm clock….
Okay, what I'm going on about here is an upcoming "conjunction" of objects that will be at its stunning best on this evening. The players: Venus, Mars, Saturn, Mercury, and our own Moon, performing together as an ensemble for a limited engagement, on the stage of the western horizon.
Right now (as of mid June), Saturn (high in the south in Virgo), Mars (in the southwest in Leo, near the bright star Regulus), and Venus (that really stupendously bright thing that will give you second-hand sunburn if you're not careful--low on the western horizon, next to the twin stars of Castor and Pollux, in Gemini) are all strung out in a long, well-spaced line, as if queuing up for some great performance. But, as time goes forward, these three will gradually move closer and closer to each other, gathering toward the western twilight.