OK, connecting astronomy and Valentine’s Day is a bit of a stretch, but if your significant other is inclined to find romance in the stars, and you have a clear night, you may want to point out this month’s planets. All are easy to find and are dazzling gems in the night sky.
In the very early evening just after sunset (5:32 PM MST for Aurora, CO) look directly west. The two bright stars are Venus (lower) and Jupiter (upper).
Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, is in the constellation of Pisces, the fishes. To the ancient Greeks Venus was known as Aphrodite.
Jupiter, the Roman king of the gods, is in the constellation of Aires, the ram. To the ancient Greeks Jupiter was known as Zeus.
Both will be visible as a pair until 8 PM. After 8 PM Venus will be very low on the horizon getting ready to set. Jupiter will sit low on the horizon ready to set at 11:15 PM.
After 8 PM look directly east you will notice a bright slightly reddish star just on the horizon. That star is the planet Mars, the Roman god of war. Mars is in the constellation of Leo, the lion. To the ancient Greeks Mars was known as Ares. Mars will be up all night getting higher and higher each hour.
If you are a real night owl, Saturn can be seen just above the eastern horizon below Mars after 11:30 PM. Saturn will not be as bright as Jupiter, Venus, or Mars. After all Saturn is a billion miles away give or take a few million. The bright star Arctutus is also in the area. It will be brighter, above and to the left (north) of Saturn. Saturn is the Roman god of agriculture and is in the constellation Virgo, Latin for virgin. To the ancient Greeks Saturn was called Cronus. It is interesting that both the Greeks and Romans associate Virgo as the goddess of wheat.
You may ask where is the Moon on Valentine’s day? Well, you have to get up pretty early. About 30 minutes before sunrise (6:56 AM MST for Aurora, CO) on Valentine’s day look for a waning crescent moon in the south. To the right (west) of the Moon is Saturn, and to the right of Saturn is Mars. All three form an almost straight line.
If you do get clouded out the positions and times for the planets will be good for a week. The Moon however will be moving closer and closer to the rising sun.
May your Valentine’s Day 2012 be a loving and fondly remembered one.
Wishing you clear skies
Comments