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Skywatch: Find a number of planets this week

Four of the five "naked eye" planets can be found at the same time.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — If you can get a clear view of the horizon you can use the moon to help you find four of the five “naked eye” planets. 

On Sunday morning the moon will be just below and right of both Venus and Mars. Mercury and Saturn will be hugging the horizon. 

The moon will continue to move through the quartet through Tuesday morning when it’ll be very close to Mercury and Saturn. 

Again, you’ll need a clear view of the horizon to see Saturn and Mercury. Look in the east to southeast about a half-hour before sunrise.

Speaking of the moon, it’s getting darker through midweek. The new moon will officially be here on Wednesday at 12:35 p.m. in the afternoon. A darker moon will mean more stars will be visible.

On Saturday morning at 8:55 a.m. the solar system’s largest planet will be in conjunction with the sun. You won’t be able to see it as the planet will be lost in the sun’s glare but Jupiter will be transitioning to the morning sky in the coming weeks. 

Happy hunting!

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