December’s Planets

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29994, 1 December 1962, Page 19

December’s Planets

This month will be less interesting than usual for planetary observers, especially the younger ones who will be in bed long before the end of twilight at 10 p.m. Jupiter and Saturn are toe only planets to be seen in the evening sky. They have moved well towards the west and by toe end of December, Saturn will be hard to find in the glow left behind by toe setting sun. The brillance of Jupiter is fading slightly but it will continue to be the first point of light visible in the sky after sunset. The planet Mercury is at present in toe evening sky but is remaining much too

close to toe sun to be visible except through a telescope. Mars is now moving into toe evening sky from the other direction; by toe end of the month it will be rising in the east before 11 p.m. It is still visible before dawn and may be located just to toe left of toe constellation Leo toe Lion. Venus has now moved into toe early morning sky. At present it is difficult to locate in its position low in toe east, in spite of its great brilliance. Later in the month, there will be no difficulty in finding it. Venus will remain in toe pre-dawn sky until next August.

PLANET VISIBILITY TABLE

Dec. 2. Dec. 16. Dec. 30. Mercury sets ...... 8.12 p.m. 9 03 p in. 9.26 pm, Saturn sets 11.44 p.m. 10.53 p.m. 10.01 p.m. Jupiter sets 1.03 a m. 12.11 am. 11.16 p.m. Mars rises 12.34 am. 11.44 p.m. 10.55 pm. Venus rises 3.30 a.m. 2.54 a.m. 2.29 a m.