Michael Beckage, one of our local astronomers, has some notes to share:
Greetings and Happy 2008.
This week there are two wonderful opportunities to have fun with planets.
Mercury, the planet closest to the sun, is about as visible as it ever gets this week. It's orbit is only about 1/3 the diameter of Earth's and so it never appears very far from the sun from our vantage point. Mercury is simply lost in the glare of 'ol sol most of the time. This week, however, Mercury appears far enough East of the sun that you can find it easily IF you have a clear view of the Western horizon. To see Mercury go to a place where your Western (actually a little South of due West) horizon is unobstructed. At about 5:40 to 5:45 start looking for a bright, star-like object just above the horizon. Hopefully you will find Mercury and be one of the relatively few people on Earth to know that you are seeing Mercury, then amaze your friends when you point it out to them!
Mars is high and bright all month long. On Saturday evening, Mars and the nearly full moon will be exceptionally close together in what we call a conjunction. Moon-planet conjunctions are some of the coolest celestial occurrences because anyone can find the moon, and if you find the moon on Saturday night, you will find Mars too!
Here is a link to the Griffith Observatory Sky report for a little more information about planets: Griffith Observatory Sky Report
In about a month we have a special treat coming. There will be a total eclipse of the moon on the evening of February 20. Unlike the last one in August eclipse happens between the very respectable hours 6 and 9 PM. I will have more details on this great event in another update.--Michael Beckage
Discover the Stars website
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