In their outward order from the sun, the five visible planets are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. By visible planet, we mean any planet that can be viewed without an optical aid and that was known to our ancestors since time immemorial. All of them except for Mercury can be seen for part of the night all through January 2012. You can catch Mercury before sunrise in early January, though this world falls into the glare of the sun shortly thereafter.
Evening planets in January 2012: Venus and Jupiter
Venus and Jupiter – the sky’s two most brilliant planets – pop out first thing at evening dusk. Given clear skies, you simply can’t miss these dazzling worlds. Shining much more brilliantly than any star, Venus and Jupiter rank as the third-brightest and fourth-brightest celestial bodies to light up the heavens, respectively, after the sun and moon.
Evening planets in January 2012: Venus and Jupiter
Venus and Jupiter – the sky’s two most brilliant planets – pop out first thing at evening dusk. Given clear skies, you simply can’t miss these dazzling worlds. Shining much more brilliantly than any star, Venus and Jupiter rank as the third-brightest and fourth-brightest celestial bodies to light up the heavens, respectively, after the sun and moon.
