This page is a periodic description of current events or topics that concern the Nightly Observing Program held at the Kitt Peak Visitor Center.

April/May 2002

Planetary Alignment

The end of April offers an interesting opportunity to view the planets in our solar system with ease. On April 29th (and many nights before and after) play connect celestial dots by identifying the planets that are lined up low in the western sky. Begin by stepping outside as soon as it is dark enough to see stars in the sky after the sun sets. Face west (sunset) and look halfway between straight overhead and the horizon. You will find Jupiter shining brightly. Next find Venus far below Jupiter and much closer to the horizon. Once it is dark enough the remaining planets in this chorus line can be seen. Saturn and Mars float above Venus. The orange/red color of Mars should be a nice contrast to the yellowish Saturn. Mercury will be a challenge, as it always is, barely escaping at glare of the Sun beneath Venus. This alignment has no more significance or effect than any other arbitrary position of the planets. However, if you like this particular configuration of the planets check it out now; it will not happen again for more than 30 years. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce children to the sky. Explain to them that planets are reflecting light from the sun and you need a telescope to see them in detail.

Adam Block
Kitt Peak Visitor Center
Lead Observer

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Telescope Operators/Guides for Nightly Program:
Adam Block (ablock@noao.edu) Lead Observer
Flynn Haase (fhaase@noao.edu)
Ethan Gargiulo (gargiulo@noao.edu)
Richard Barchfield (richardb@noao.edu)
Jack Kennedy (jkennedy@noao.edu)
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Updated: 04/26/2002