by Dragon Sat Dec 25, 2021 1:50 am
Prominently placed very low in the southwest sky, after sundown, is the brilliant planet Venus, often referred to as the "Shepherd's Star" by the legendary French astronomer Nicolas Camille Flammarion (1842-1925).
It shines like a silvery lantern for about 90 minutes after sunset, making for an eye-catching celestial ornament.
Along with Venus there are other worlds that beckon this Christmas season.
Two planets can be found to the upper left of Venus: Mellow yellow Saturn and brilliant silvery-white Jupiter.
If you received a telescope for the holidays, be sure to check out Saturn and its beautiful ring system and Jupiter with its retinue of bright satellites.
On Dec. 29, all three planets will be equally spaced apart, stretched out in a diagonal line measuring 36 degrees from upper left to lower right; Jupiter highest, Venus lowest and Saturn in between.
And look carefully 5 degrees to Venus' left and you'll sight yet a fourth planet: Mercury!
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