4 Planets & Moon Dominate Weekend Night Sky

by Tariq Malik, SPACE.com Managing Editor

Date: 25 February 2012 Time: 12:02 PM ET

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Astrophotographer John Green caught the moon, Venus and Jupiter over Mooresville, NC, Feb. 23, 2012. CREDIT: John Green & The ULAO Project View full size image

A cosmic team-up of planets and the thin crescent moon is dazzling skywatchers around the world this weekend, and the celestial sky show is just getting started.
The planets Venus and Jupiter dominate the western evening sky at sunset on Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 25 and 26), with the crescent moon hovering nearby. The planet Mercury joins the cosmic trio briefly just after sunset before slipping below the horizon.
The planet Mars is also making its own appearance in the evening sky, but rises in the east a few hours after sunset in its own solo celestial show.


MORE: http://www.space.com/14681-jupiter-moon-venus-planets-skywatching-tips.html

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