Dance of the Planets

Over the past few months an amazing performance has been going on in the sky - the astronomers call it "The Dance of the Planets".
It is the movement of the planets as they move towards and away from each other.
This year we've seen an amazing number of alignments and groupings of the planets and certain stars. As with all of God's creation, it has been fascinating to watch!

This week Venus, Mars and Saturn are grouped in a nice triangle, with Mercury below. Look for them over in the west just after sunset.

THIS EVENING (Aug. 11th) get out early to see all four planets above the new crescent Moon.     
Look for this grouping early evening in the western sky.
 *It is easiest to first look at the new crescent Moon and then look above it and find Venus, the Evening Star, which is the brightest of the group, then it will be easier to spot the other planets.
*Above Venus, just to the right is Mars.
*Below Venus, also to the right is Saturn.
*Once you find Saturn, start looking back down towards the Moon and you will see Mercury shining above it - also slightly to the right.
Click here for a diagram to help you find and identify the planets. Keep a look out over the next three nights to see how this grouping changes.

Here's a good animation  (although from the Northern Hemisphere) of the Dance of the Planets from Jul 04 to Oct 06 2010.

Enjoy star-gazing! :)

Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:

- Jeremiah 31:35