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From: johnston@spp1.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.astro,net.sci,net.space
Subject: Re: Planets visible above the western horizon this month?
Message-ID: <123@spp1.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 29-Nov-84 03:32:35 EST
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Posted: Thu Nov 29 03:32:35 1984
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> I was wondering if someone could tell me what two planets have been quite
> bright over the western horizon, at about 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. the past 10-14
> days.  One of them (the brighter) I believe is Venus.  The other I'm not
> sure about and would lke to know.  Their position has been changing quite
> rapidly.

The brighter one is Venus. It's travelling from the back side of the sun
to our side and so it appears to be travelling eastward each day as it
swings out. After a while, as it goes between the earth and sun on its way
to becoming the morning star, it will start to move westward back toward
the sunset.

The other planet is Jupiter. It has been very slowly progressing westward
through the year. Its progress appears slow due its distance from earth.

Further up in the sky appears Mars and you can actually detect its red
color. Its not as bright as the planets but on par with the average star.
Mars is also moving west but even slower than Jupiter. In fact Mars and
Jupiter were together in early October.

And, though I haven't been in a good position to see it, Mercury should be
visible immediately after sunset if you have an unobstructed horizon since
it is very close to the sun (always is).
 
Therefore, it is possible without aid of a telescope to see 5 planets at
sunset time.

					Mike Johnston