Planet Parade Lights up the Sky Tonight in Rockland

by Mindy Cohn 

Starting tonight and for the next few days, if you're outside around sunset and the weather cooperates, you can see five planets, a crescent moon, and a star cluster.

Viewing starts at 7:13 p.m. in Rockland County. Monday and Tuesday will be the best nights to see the array of night lights if the expected cloud cover clears up in time. The star cluster Messier 35 will be first on the left in the western sky, then the moon, Uranus, Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury.

Although Venus sets at about 10:15 p.m. local time, sightings of Jupiter and Mercury will only last for a while, so check out the sky earlier rather than later.

The Farmers Almanac suggests that an unobstructed view from a flat vantage point with nothing obstructing the view is ideal for viewing. 

Binoculars might be needed to see Mercury and Uranus. The darker the sky, the better, so stay away from lighted areas for your best chance of seeing the whole lineup.

Photo Credit: Flickr