Mar 2 • 11:39 UTC 🇶🇦 Qatar Al Jazeera

After Sunset: Watch Three Planets at Once, with the Fourth Above Your Head

A rare astronomical event allows stargazers to see three planets in the western sky shortly after sunset, with a fourth planet, Jupiter, shining directly overhead.

The night sky these days presents a unique opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts, as shortly after sunset, three planets can be seen together in the western horizon, while a fourth planet, Jupiter, shines brightly overhead. This celestial event is fascinating and not frequently observed, making it a perfect spectacle for those interested in stargazing.

In the western sky, Venus is easily visible due to its strong brightness, making it the brightest celestial object after the sun and the moon. Mercury can also be spotted low on the horizon, taking advantage of its improved angle relative to the sun, providing stargazers with a great chance to locate it during dusk. Observing Mercury can add an exciting element to the evening's stargazing experience, especially under clear weather conditions.

Additionally, those looking to spot Saturn may attempt to find it, although observing this planet could pose some challenges due to its lower altitude and less brightness compared to Venus. Moreover, Saturn's proximity to the twilight glow may lead it to disappear quickly after sunset. For the brightest sight, astronomer Walid Sobhi Shaqir from the Jordanian Astronomical Society notes that Jupiter, which is currently the brightest planet visible, can be seen high in the sky, appearing as a very bright and relatively stable white object compared to the stars, providing a magnificent display for star watchers.

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