3 planets visible to naked eye in coming days

(Courtesy of NASA)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Those who take the time to look at the night sky will be rewarded with views of Venus, Jupiter and Saturn.

The three planets are currently visible to the naked eye, even from areas with more light pollution. Venus and Jupiter can be observed converging on each other, while Saturn is coming up on a rendezvous with the moon.

“The brilliantly bright planet Venus and the massive but not as bright planet Jupiter have been slowly closing on one another for the past several weeks,” wrote Patrick Wiggins, the NASA/JPL solar system ambassador to Utah, in an email. “Currently high in the western sky right after sunset, the two will be closest together the evening of Tuesday the 30th. At that time, the two will be barely half a degree apart or about the width of the full moon.”

Additionally, the moon will appear especially close to Saturn on Sunday evening, according to Wiggins. He said the duo can be spotted in the southern sky, with the moon appearing just above the ringed planet.

For those who would like a closer look, various groups are hosting free star parties and offering access to telescopes. The Salt Lake Astronomical Society is meeting at the Harmons located at 5454 S. Redwood Road in Taylorsville Friday and at the Stansbury Park Observatory Saturday. The parties start at sunset and last until 11 p.m.

The St. George Astronomy Group is also hosting a star party Friday at St. George's Town Square. It starts at 6 p.m.

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Natalie Crofts

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