What planets are visible tonight?
Mercury is visible near the horizon in the eastern sky preceding sunrise. Mercury rises about 45 minutes before sunrise on May 3, 2024.
On this day, Mercury is in the waxing crescent phase (30% illuminated), shines with a magnitude of +1.0, and is located in the zodiac constellation Pisces.
Mars is visible low in the eastern sky preceding sunrise. Mars rises about 1 hour and 15 minutes before sunrise on May 3, 2024. Mars is visible to the upper right of Mercury.
On this day, Mars shines with a magnitude of +1.1 and is located in the zodiac constellation Pisces.
Saturn is visible low in the eastern sky preceding sunrise. Saturn rises about a couple of hours before sunrise on May 3, 2024. Saturn is visible to the upper right of Mars.
On this day, Saturn shines with a magnitude of +1.2 and is located in the zodiac constellation Aquarius.
Mercury in May 2024
At the beginning of May, Mercury will slowly emerge from the sun’s glare and will be visible in the morning twilight.
Mercury will be visible to the right of the thin waning crescent moon on the morning of May 6, 2024.
Mercury will reach greatest western elongation on May 9, 2024, meaning it will reach its maximum angular separation from the sun. It will be the best time to observe Mercury in the morning twilight in May.
After the greatest western elongation on May 9, it will slowly move towards the sun, making it gradually harder to observe in the morning twilight.
From the beginning of June, it will slowly enter into the sun’s glare, making it almost impossible to observe in the morning twilight.
Mercury will reach superior solar conjunction on June 14, 2024, meaning it will completely disappear in the sun’s glare behind the sun, making it impossible to observe.
Venus in May 2024
Each day in May, Venus will slowly enter into the sun’s glare, making it almost impossible to observe in the morning twilight.
Venus will reach superior solar conjunction on June 4, 2024, meaning it will completely disappear in the sun’s glare behind the sun, making it impossible to observe.
After the superior conjunction on June 4, it will slowly emerge from the sun’s glare. However, it will be too close to the sun to be visible in June and July.
Venus will reach a decent height above the horizon from August and will be visible in the evening twilight.
Mars in May 2024
Each day in May, Mars will gain altitude in the morning sky as it rises earlier. So as the day progresses, it will be easier to spot Mars.
Mars will rise approximately four minutes earlier each day. At the beginning of May, it will rise about 1 hour and 15 minutes before sunrise, and by the end of May, it will rise about three hours before sunrise.
Mars will be visible to the lower left of the beautiful waning crescent moon on the morning of May 4, 2024 and to the upper right of the waning crescent moon on May 5, 2024.
Mars will reach opposition on January 15, 2025, meaning it will be located on the opposite side of the sun on our sky’s dome. It will be the best time of the year to observe Mars, as it will be visible all night.
Jupiter in May 2024
At the beginning of May, Jupiter will slowly enter into the sun’s glare, making it almost impossible to observe in the evening twilight.
Jupiter will reach conjunction with the sun on May 18, 2024, meaning it will completely disappear in the sun’s glare behind the sun, making it impossible to observe.
After the conjunction with the sun on May 18, it will slowly emerge from the sun’s glare. However, it will be too close to the sun to be visible in May and June.
Jupiter will reach a decent height above the horizon from July and will be visible in the morning twilight.
Jupiter will reach opposition on December 7, 2024, meaning it will be located on the opposite side of the sun on our sky’s dome. It will be the best time of the year to observe Jupiter, as it will be visible all night.
Saturn in May 2024
Like Mars, each day in May, Mars will also gain altitude in the morning sky as it rises earlier. So as the day progresses, it will be easier to spot Saturn.
Saturn will be seen to the upper right of Mars in May, and as the day progresses, the separation between them will also increase.
Saturn will rise about four minutes earlier each day. At the beginning of May, it will rise about a couple of hours before sunrise, and by the end of May, it will rise about four hours before sunrise.
Saturn will be visible to the left of the beautiful waning crescent moon on the morning of May 3, 2024 and to the upper right of the waning crescent moon on May 4, 2024.
Saturn will reach opposition on September 8, 2024, meaning it will be located on the opposite side of the sun on our sky’s dome. It will be the best time of the year to observe Saturn, as it will be visible all night.
Resources
Visit theStellarium onlinefor precise positions of planets from your location.
Moon phases April 2024: What is the moon phase today?
Happy skywatching!
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