Several planets are in the night sky following sunset this week, but a few are difficult to spot with the naked eye and cloud conditions are expected to be hit and miss.
With Mercury now faintly visible just above the western horizon immediately after sunset, there are now seven planets that are technically up following sunset. This is what is being referred to as a “planetary parade” though only about half of them are really visible to the naked eye.
The planets present are Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus, and Venus. Of those planets, the ones that can be glimpsed with the naked eye include Jupiter, Mars, Mercury (faintly) and Venus. Saturn and Neptune are very close to the setting sun, making them difficult to spot, especially given you should never look directly at the sun unless it is through a properly filtered lens.
For those looking with the naked eye, the easiest ones to spot are Venus setting in the west after sunset, Jupiter high above the southern horizon and Mars high over the southeastern horizon after sunset. Uranus is dim with binoculars or a telescope typically needed to view it, but is present just down and right from Jupiter.
While seven planets are parading across the sky, it is only easy to see about four or five of them. That is mostly due to the cluster of Mercury, Saturn. and Neptune being so close to the setting sun.
The planetary alignment of these objects is technically on the evening of Friday.
Night sky viewing this week
Of course, it doesn’t matter how many planets are present if it is too cloudy to spot them. The ideal situation would be a stagnant area of high pressure giving the Maritime region prolonged periods of cloud-free sky. Alas this week we have a number of low-pressure systems either passing through or close by bringing cloudier periods of weather with them.
Tuesday evening will be partly cloudy. Some decent viewing may be present immediately following sunset. Tuesday night will see increasing cloudiness with patchy fog and drizzle developing. There will be a light mix of snow and rain in northern areas of New Brunswick.
Wednesday night will start cloudy in the evening. Partial clearing can be expected late evening and near midnight. This may be one of the better night sky viewing opportunities this week but not until late evening or near midnight. Several of the planets mentioned above will already have set by that time.
Thursday night is cloudy with a mix of snow and rain moving through.
Friday night is forecast to be partly cloudy with a low chance of flurries. The planetary alignment is Friday evening. It will be very difficult to spot Saturday, Mercury, and Neptune as they are near the setting sun. Extreme care should be taken not to look directly at the sun.
Working in favour of planet viewing this week is the waning crescent moon. Not only is it far from full but it also below the horizon for most of the night period.
